The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-12-19

when he heard the letter read There's good
news for US fellows, Ben"
That's So" said Ben, heartily I'VE
must GO round after tea and tell the rest OF
the boys"
In the evening, accordingly, Ben aud
Archie went the rounds of the relatives with
the joyful tidings that Cousin Ann was CON-
ing TO make visit. Each boy. as the news
reached him. joined those who had brought
il, in carrying il TO the next family, until
they found themselves. all together in Aunt
Della Corning's sitting.room. There, while
they RECALLED themselves with apples aud
nuts they laid plans for Anus visit
I'm the first place" said Ben, who. by rea-
son of hls seniority, always assumed the
leadership among his cousins. "in the first
place I'll take the new buggy and meet
her"
That's cool" cried Archie. "Going to
do the hospitality for all OF us, and all by
yourself at thatl No, sir Iguess I'll go
along Plenty OF room for three in the
new buggy"
81 guess you WON'T" said Ben, emphatic
ally but good humOrdly. ITS my place as
the Oldest cousin to DO the hospitality, as
you say: and Pm not going shares on my
rights, sir"
"Then I'll tell you what shall do. I'll
spruce up the old buggy. and represent the
family by going after Cousin Ann in that
said Archie.
"Now, see here" said Nelson; "iust be-
cause Uncle Charles happened to write to
Aunt Mary, there's no reason why you fell
lows should meet Cousin Ann than why any
of the rest of us should. She 3 going to visit
us all, and Uncle Charles dosent say she's
going TO your home first. Now / saw, first
come first served, So I'm going to drive
down TO the depot. and if | can get at Cousin
Ann first shall take her home with me-
Capital idea, Nell" said Frank; "and just
hot in ind hon, Co
| guess I'll take the phaeton and drive down
too, and try my luck at cutting you all out
''Comel comet it seems to me it's going
to make il rather embarrassing for Cousin
Ann to find as all at the station. Why, she
will have to choose which one she'll go home
with" said Ben, who was percept ibly
chagrined st the turn affairs had taken.
mo reason why it should
be so, any more when
she's at party and becomes a partner in a
play TO the first fellow who asks her." said
Frank las Mel says, it'll have to be first
come first served. The first fellow that asks
her gets her and the rest OF us must not
grumble."
Look at Jake boys. will you, said Archie,
laughing, and pointing at Jacob with his
nut-pick. 'He looks happy and interested
at the prospect OF seeing his cousin, don't
he?'
Jake. who was sitting almost behind the
lie attention was thus directed towards him.
and said, deprecatingly "What am / doing
now, Archie"
Doing? That's Just it; you're not doing
anything. You sit there, more like an old
man who is thinking of dead and buried
people, than like young fellow thinking
OF seeing pretty cousin"
"Of course. ! am as glad, in my way, that
Cousin AIMS coming as the rest of you are"
"Iake'S way won't ever be apt TO succeed
with the ladies, will il. boys said Ben, who
considered his own to be quite irresistible.
Thinking OF going down to the cars
Thursday, to take your chance with the rest
Of us, jake Frank inquired, with quizzi-
cal air that made the Others laugh.
We'll" said Jake, blushing little as he
always did when Jeased by his cousins, II
was thinking perhaps I'd go and see the
fun
Wont enter the lists, hey?" Frank per-
sisted.
NO: why should /? There are too many
OF you now l shall want to see who gets
her, and how it's done
Never mind how they tease you, Jake"
said Mrs Corning after the guests had gone.
You've the best heart in the lot, and /
know it, Some day other people will find it
Gut.t
The eagerly Thursday came.
and the boys having prevailed upon their
tutor to grant them holiday in honor of
the occasion, devoted the day TO preparations
for Cousin AIMS reception and entertain
ment. Bright AID early, Archie began the
'sprucing-up' OF the old buggy, his efforts
being attended with such success that, as he
declared, lit looked every bit as good as the
new one"
Later on, Zen rolled out the new buggy
and gave it a thorough busting; while, up
the road Nelson did the same to his buggy,
and still . little further up the road,
Franks phaeton was undergoing a similar
process.
An hour before train-time found a we'll
groomed horse attached to each conveyance,
while the BOYS were each OF them putting
the finishing touches to their toilets Even
Jake. catching the infection OF the hour, put
on his Sunday suit and whistled softly as he
BACKED his boots
why don't you hitch up the horse, Jakey.
and try your hand ut cutting-out for once?"
his mother asked. laughing.
81 can't do it, mother" said Jake, putting
on his Oyercoat; I'm not the sort OF fell
low girls like"
Jake walked to the depot and found his
four cousins already there. Ben had brought
with him the choir boy to hold the horse,
while he betook himself to the waiting room.
Archie had engaged one of the depot loun-
gers to perform the same service for him.
Nelson had turned his reliable horse with
his back to the track and tied him securely;
WINE rank, Delng at a loss what disposition
10 make. for the time being, of his horse,
catching sight of Jake, called out
Here Jake. get in and hold Bill, while
get out-theres q good fellow" aud Jake,
always ready to accommodate, did as he was
asked.
The whistle sounded in the distance, and
soon the train stopped at the platform.
The cousins started forward There were
n large number of lady passengers getting
off the cars, and each was carefully scrutin-
lied by the boys.
She hasn't come" said Frank, as the last
lady passed them.
Not unless she was in the first car and
got oil further up, and has gone into the
waiting room," said Nelson.
All four, accordingly. ran to the waiting
room. Ben reached the door first, and open
ing 10 wide enough TO admit his head, looked
in and saw. by the dim light of a solitary
lamp, lady. wearing a heavy shawl large
poke bonnet and black lace veil.
"Whew" calculated Ben, quickly with
drawing his head. Its Aunt Ami know
her dress! We're soldr'
Lets get away before she sees u.s. said
Archie And, with one accord, they beat a
hasty retreat.
Here / am, boys; wait. I'm afraid TO 90
alone" called the forsaken ''old oae," in a
shrill voice. She had seen BeR's head. and
Startad in, TO- h. 81 L.