The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-02-25
MX COUSIN.
BY ]. r. W.


received the following letter;
"MY DEAR CoUsIN-I will be
with you on the 25th inst. come
by the cars to Auburn. 1t is so very
warm here that we can do nothing
but start for the country. Give my
love to aunt and Cousin Lucy, and
remain, dear cousin, yours truly,
JOSEPH DANES"
[ hastened home and handed this
letter to my mother. As she was
reading it my sister Lucy entered
and listened eagerly.
Cousin Joseph comingl" e1
claimed Lucy, gaily waltzing round
the room, for Joseph was a great ia
vorite of hers; chow rejoiced | am
Oh, Fred, are you not glad ?"
II am glad that it gives you SC
much pleasure, l ansv cred, and
turning round, walked off, much tC
the annoyance of my sister.
Before going further, it is neces
sary to give few words Of explana
ton about who Cousin Joseph was
Joseph was an only son of my moth
er's brother. He was born in the
city, was educated there, aud now
lived there. He was said to be hand
some by those who had seen him, and
among them was my sister. l had
never myself met him. l was, how
ever, much pleased at having young
companion, for, although a couple Of
years younger than he, | knew we
would soon become friends. My tami
ly lived on the shores of Owascc
Lake, a bout six miles from Auburn.
one of the loveliest spots in the state.
Fish of all sorts were to be had in
the lake in abundance, and game neal
the shore and in the woods. Oul
neighbors were hospitable, friendly
people, and kept up close intimacy
with our people.
Everything was in readiness fol
my cousins reception, and as | pre-
pared to start to Auburn with the
carriage, my sister said in confidence
There will be several young ladies
here this evening, and l expect you
will be pleased and surprised wher
you see some of them"
l wondered as l drove off what she
meant, for l had not been al homt
long enough to know many of the
young ladies who lived near, and
knew of only one whom l would be
glad to see, but l was sure she would
not be there. | had become ac
quainted with her but lately, on my
returning home from college. The
train had stopped at Utica, when the
conductor entered the car, and asked
'Is there gentleman in this cal
going to Auburn 2"
Immediately answered that l was
and he said:
"Will you take this young lady in
charge and leave her at the Mansion
House ?"
l replied that l would be most hap
py to do so. She was soon seated
and the cars again under way.
found my companion very teauti
ful young lady who was going to visit
some friends. She said they lived 9
short distance from Auburn, but they
would be expecting her, r,-and she hac
no doubt that they were even ther
awaiting her. Her name l did no
ask /; and she, l suppose, forgot t,
tell it. The distance between Utic,
and Auburn seemed short, and / fel
a pang at parting with her that
had never felt before. The adven
ture was altogether so. strange anC
romantic that | did not mention any
thing about it when | got home. Tha
| Lowell her | felt sure; but how wa
ever going to find out who she was,
could not tell. | determined, how
ever, on calling at the Mansion
House, and learning there all the,
knew about her. accordingly wen
to the hotel, and ascertained that
carriage had come for her shortly af
ter left. But where it had gone nj
one could say.
Meantime the train arrived, ant
with it my Cousin Joseph. He wa
all he had been represented, a gay
frank, handsome young fellow; and il
few moments we were friends, feel
ing as if we had known each other
whole lifetime.
Il have brought guns and fshini
tackle said he; "all you will have t
supply is the dog. | expect from
what you say to have some gloriou
sport I hope my aunt and Cousil
Lucy ars xsIl."
! In Il he ratified OF lurini