Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-04-07
A COUNTRY COUSIN.

eyes, remember her very well," said
Miss NcmourviIlo. "a black-cycd romp,
chasing the wild horses all over the farm,
and pitching hay up on the NOW, exactly
as if she were a boy. Our third cousin,
wasn't shc-or fourth, or some such far
away kin? But what of hcr2'
"What of herr" snarlcd old Colonel
Ncmourvllc. "Why, just this. Her
folks are dead. And one of the oflicious
Meadow Hill clcrgymcn has written to
lis, asking us to adopt her. Just as if
we hadn't enough to trouble us, with
three daughters on hand already, and no
earthly chance, that can see, of their
getting married" 0his last cnvcnomcd
phrase accompanied bya gloomy contrac-
ton of the speakers shaggy brow9,
"without assuming the charge of all crca-
ton into the bargain! Adopt her, in
deed! Why, what claim has she on u.s.,
I'd like to knowl The impudcncc of
some pcoplc?'
owe couldn't possibly think of such a
thing said Mrs. Nemourvillc, an elder
ly lady, with good deal of powder silt-
ed skilfully over her features, and a lace
Cap patterned after the latest French
models. 'Our income scarcely meets
our expenses as things are at present. /
do wonder at the assurance of those pco-
pie out there"
The Ncmourville family had always
kindly remembered their relationship to
Mrs. VaSsall when the vertical sunbcams
of July and August made city life bur-
den to them, and their pursc-strings,
Strengthened by the ccasclcss attempt to
keep up style far above their means,
refused to admit of a trip to Newport,
Saratoga Or the White Mountains.
Mrs. Vassal had welcomed them with
the sweet graciousncss of that hospitality
which comes from the heart. Lassic, the
"black-cycd romp," had shown Blanche,
Vera and Editha Ncmourvilc the hooks
where the clcarcst springs bubbled out,
and the dclls where fcathery sprays of
maidcn-hair could be gathered by the
double handful, and no pains were spared
to make things pleasant for the city cou-
sins during their somewhat prolonged
visits.
But al! this conveniently clraccd itself
from their memory now.
Adopt Lassic Vasscl2 Make them
selves responsible for her board, and
clothes, and lodging? Good heavens |.
What were people thinking of
So Colonel Ncmourville wrote back a
polite dcclination, fairly glittcring with
its icy convcntionaltics.
Lassic Vassal, sitting in her deep black
robes, heard the good clcrgymans wife
read it twice over bolore she fairly COM
pretended its meaning.
"Don't they want me to go to thcm1'
sht .skcd, lifting the heavy, black firing
cd lids tl'at were weighted down with
tears.
'1'm afraid they don't, DEAR" said the
clcrgyman's wife.
Lassio drew deep sigh.
"Then must try to find some way of
earning my own living" said she. "You
have all been so good to me-, but it must
come to an end sooner or later Dear
Mrs Hall, won't you 60 and see that lady
who wanted nursery govcrncss to travel
with her little children to Scotland2
always liked children, and they fortu-
natcly don't require many accomplish
ments. / dread crossing the ocean n
little, but l must try to leave off being a
coward"
So the Ncmourvillcs heard nothing
further of Lassc Vasscll.
But the girl herself did not forget all
this.
"Thcy might have been little kind
to me-" she kept repeating to herself.
"Thcy might have been little kind to
me"
The Nemouwilles meanwhile bravcly
kept up, although against wind and tide,
the struggle FRA satisfactory matrimonial
settlement for Blanche, Vera and Editlln.
They gave fvc-o'clock teas, purple
dinners and pink lunches; they sent out
cards for soirces; went to all the charity
balls, kirmcsscs and chancc-partics to
which they could obtain M entrec. TIL V
smiled, and simpcrcd, and danced, and
promenadcd with Spartan endurance; !;
and still they remained the Misses Ne
nourvillc.
But when the waves Of society were