Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-04-27
FLEEING FROM A FORTUNE.

Mrs. De Bruse Bellingham laid down
the telegram q servant had just present
ed on q silver salver.
"Augustal 1t lis terriblel What can
possess the creature, and now of all
times? Your cousin, Peter Bsllingham,
is actually coming to visit us-actually
coming to visit us!'
Mrs. Bellingham's tones were plteous
in their Mortified despair, and she let
fall the yellow envelope that SO seldom
is the harbinger OF the good news we
want, with a gesture of impotent anger.
Augusta BeIlingham lifted her beau
tiful straight brows in horror OF ques-
tioning.
"Oh. mammal Coming to visit us
Surely there is some mistakel He never
would be so stupid as to come unless we
sent him an invitation.
Mrs. Bsllingham picked up the tele-
gram again and read it through aloud:
will be at your house Tuesday for
short visit. Z. BELLINGHAM.
"What mistake can there possibly be?
No, it's directed plainly enough-'Mrs.
De Bruse Bellingham, SSS 5th avenue,
and it is signed plainly enough
Child, what in the world shall we do' l
can't receive him. I never, never could
introduce him to our friends.
Augusta looked thoughtfully at the
carpet, and tapped ono of her pretty
little feet.
Suddenly, she lifted up her long-lash-
ed lids to her lady mothers face.
ooh, mamma. don't wonder you are
30 nervous over it What shall we do
about it2 Why, it's to-day, this very
afternoon-he's to be here!"
SIT seems as if fate had particular
grudge against mel" she said piteously.
'When I married your papa, it was dis
tinctly understood that was not to be
troubled with any of his poor relations,
and before we had been keeping house
a year his grandfather died, and the old
lady had to come and make her home
with us, because De Bruse was able to
keep her. Then your aunt Adelaide
died, and De Bruse had to take Bessie
and bring her up. Well, 7 will confess
I have kept Bessie pretty well down, and
made her pay her way by helping me
with the sewing and chiIdren's music.
But now, it seems to me, this visit is
worse than all. He'll stay six weeks at
the least, I know!"
perhaps he won't be so terrible after
all, mamma. Couldn't you manage to
keep him in his room most of the time,
and let Bessie take care of him? 1t
would just suit her."
Mrs. Bellingham uttered little shrek
of dismay.
did you ever see your fathers cou-
sin Peter, AuQusta?"
"Well, no, mamma, L have never seen
him, of course, but I should think"
"You should think nothing about it.
Peter Bellingham is middle aged, and,
Augusta, he actually wears the same suit
of clothes year in and year out. His
hair is long, down to the top of his col
lar, and he plasters it to the top OF his
head with horrid pomatur, He wears a
green cravat;his hands are covered with
freckles, and you can't keep him from
going where he pleases; he will rush in
the parIor whenever you have company.
He visited here once before, years ago,
and I declare it almost killed me. Why,
Augusta, he insisted-and your poor,
dear papa had to permit, or else turn
him bodily out of the house-he insisted
on reading prayers before and after every
meal, guest or no guests"
'Oh, mamma, know exactly what
we'n dol The idea Of not knowing
how to get rid of cousin Peter. Why,
nothing could be easier! Burn up that
dispatch, have our trunks packed this
morning, and let's take the afternoon
boat for Long Branch. Send the ser
wants away, as we always do, and when
old Peter Bellingham comes tonight
he'll find the house with nobody in bu
Bessie, And If she wants to entertain
him, let her. Of course. mamma, that
is the only way to do. Just consider
we never received this telegram.
Mrs. BeIl1nqham drew long breath
of surprise and relief.
"How strange + never once though