Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-08-01
WHICH OoNQUBRBD2

Mrs. PALMER-Dear Madam; NV
aunt wished me to answer her letter for
her, as writing is somewhat out of her
line. She begs me to assure you that
your son will be made welcome as soon
as he chooses to come, provided he can
make up his mind to take us as he finds
us-plain country people, with plain,
country ways.
II you will serd q line in advance
that we may Know when to expect him
we will senu the carriage to the sta
ton for MIN. Respectfully yours,
CAssIoPEA KINGSTON.
"The letter has arrived, George"
said Mrs. Palmer, entering her sons
room one afternoon.
"Ahp' he said, languidly. "Read
1t, please"
His mother complied.
''Brief and to the point" he said,
stretching out his hand for the epistle;
"but who is Cassiopea KingstonP An
Independent character, evidently, and
one not troubled with nerves." ex-
amining the clear firm handwriting.
" think she must be cousin Silas'
brothers daughter. l remember now
hearing a number of years ago that
they had adopted her orphan niece;
but it had entirely escaped my mind
until saw the name here. She is
probably only a red-cheeked, coun-
trified, unrefined girl. l fear you will
not find very congenial companions
up there in the backwoods. l Iam sorry
L cannot go with you," she said, with u
sigh.
George looked dutifully sorry, but
perhaps in his heart he did not regret
it as much as he might. 1t is possible
that the thought of escaping from
the maternal wing for a while was
not altogether unpleasant to him.
Even saints have to contend with the
old Adam, sometimes. He studied the
letter for time, and then said:
You had better answer it immedi-
ately, as | want to start the day after
tomorrow.
MY dear George! so soonP' in a
tone of dismay.
"You know what the doctor said"
he replied, mildly, as he folded the let
ter and put it in his pocket.
Is it possible that George was a bit
of a hypocritep
When he stepped from the cars four
days later, he was met by tall, hand
some young fellow, who introduced
himself as Halbert Kingston.
"Ah, yaasr' drawled George, ex-
tending languid finger, which Hal
bert touched and dropped hastily.
There was an antagonism between the
two from the Iirst.
"Dooced handsome fellow, and
where did he learn to be so much like
gentlemanP' thought George, rather
resenting that Halbert was not the awk-
ward country pumpkin he had pictured
10 himself.
"a regular milksop, with. his white
face and soft hands and dandy drawl,"
thought Halbert, contemptuously. "rH
turn him over to Cass; she'll cure him
if anybody can"
"Well," said Halbert, entering the
sitting room, where Casey was at
work, "what do you think of himP
saw you peeping through the blinds"
1.-The mans humbug," was the de-
clslve answer, accompanied by the snip
snap of the scissors.
Just what l say. He's no more
sick than am. It's all Imagination
and laziness. say, Cass, here's mis-
sionary field for you. Cure him and
make him useful member of society"
"PU do it if it is n possible thing.
You see this pile of tablecloths hereP
There are dozen of them, and / am
just cutting off the first one. Now, by
the time the last one is hemmed, either
shall have made a sensible man of
him, or | will confess myself beaten by
a contemplate whipper-snapper."
"Tis the contest of st. George and
the dragon said Halbert, gleefullv.
We will see which conquers. He is
coming down stairs. III wait and in
troduce you and then leave him to your
tender mercies."
George entered the room with his
usual limping gait, and Halbert, hav-
ing performed the introduction, fled the
field.
George looked at his companion as
he seated himself upon the lounge. A
tall, magnificent-looking girl, with
cheeks glowing with health, whitest of
teeth just showing through the slightly
parted, full, red lips, flashing black
eyes, and a wealth of dark hair that
would have eurled if she would only let
it, a 1.-the, well-developed form and
firm, shapely hands-in short, that
rarest OF all rarities, aperfectly healthy
woman.
Ibid you find your journey fatigu-
lngP said Cassie, by way of an OPEN !
ing, as she drew the thread of her table !
cloth.
"Well, rather. Not so much as 1 ex-
pected, however," he drawled.
80 Your mot haY. did ., % ,.,,,s4 Al -
had an impediment in your speech. 1t
is very disagreeable, isn't itp l know
how to sYmpathize with you. for had |
a cousin who stammered dreadfully, |
and the only way she cured herself was |
by speaking very slowly-drawling, in
fact, just as you do" said Cassie, in
nocently.
81 have no impediment in my speech |
at all. /" was Georges brisk reioinder. |
80! l beg your pardon" she said,
sweetly, 81 thought that was the rea-
son you drawled So"
"COnfound the girl! is she chatting
me or whatp Perhaps it is only coun- |
try ignorance; she looks very innocent"
George thought, glaring at her in i'm
potent wrath, and twisting his mus
tache sayagely.
What soft white hands you have,
Cousin George" continued Cassie,
glancing toward them. He looked
down complacently, somewhat molli-
he'd. "But then, don't care TO see
Them on a man." she resumed. "They
don't look like useful ones; they look
as If they we're afraid of work. By the
way, what is your business, Cousin
ieorgeP ! have never heard"
George flushed and twisted uneasily
IN his seat as he stammered;