Connecticut western news., 1886-04-14
A COUNTRY COUSIN.

A COUNTRY COUSIN.
 tfYes, remember her very well," said Miss Nemourville. "A black-eyed romp. chasing the wild horses all over the farm, and pitching hay up on the mow, exactly as if she were boy. Our third cousin, wasn't she-or fourth, or some such far away kin2 But what of hera''
 s'What of her9" snarled old Colonel Nemourville. ''Why, just this. Her folks are dead. And one of the officious Meadow Hill clergymen has written to us, 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 I can see, of their getting married" this last envenomed phrase accompanied bya gloomy contrac- ton of the speakers shaggy brows), without assuming the charge of all crea- tion into the bargain! Adopt her, in- deedl Why, what claim has she on us, I'd like to know2 The impudence of some peopleg'
 ''We couldn't possibly think of such thing!p said Mrs. Nemourville, an elder ly lady, with good deal of powder sift- ed skillfully over her features, and lace cap patterned after the latest French models "Our income scarcely meets our expenses as things are at present. I do wonder at the assurance of those peo- pie out therer'
 The Nemourville family had always kindly remembered their relationship to Mrs. Vassall when the vertical sunbeams of July and August made city life bur den to them, and their purse strings, strengthened by the ceaseless attempt to keep up style far above their means, refused to admit of a trip to Newport, Saratoga or the White Mountains.
 Mrs. Vassall had welcomed them with the sweet graciousness of that hospitality which comes from the heart. Lassie, the s'black-eyed romp," had shown Blanche, Vera and Editha Nemourville the hooks where the dearest springs bubbled out, and the dells where feathery sprays of maiden-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 all this conveniently cffaced itself from their memory now.
 Adopt Lassie Vassell2 Make them selves responsible for her board, and clothes, and lodging2 Good heavens What were people thinking ofa
 So Colonel Nemourville wrote back a polite declination, fairly glittering with its icy conventionalities.
 Lassie Vassal, sitting in her deep black robes, heard the good clergyman's wife read it twice over before she fairly com. prehended its meaning.
 'Don't they want me to go to them9' she asked, lifting the heavy, black-fring ed lids that were weighted down witt tears. -.. ..
 '1'm afraid they don't, dear," said thu : clergyman's wife.
 Lassie drew deep sigh.
 'sThen must try to find some way o earning my own living" said she. "Yo, have all been so good to me, but it mus come to an end sooner or later. Dea Mrs. Hall, won't you go and see that lad, who wanted nursery governess to trave with her little children to Scotland9 always liked children, and they fortu nately don't require many accomplish ments. I dread crossing the ocean little, but must try to leave off being coward"
 So the Nemourvilles heard nothin further of Lassie Vassell.
 But the girl herself did not forget al this.
 "They might have been little kin, to me-" she kept repeating to herself ''They might have been little kind t mcr'
 The Nemourvilles meanwhile bravel kept up, although against wind and tide the struggle for satisfactory matrimonis settlement for Blanche, Vera and Ediths
 They gave fve-o'clock teas, purpl dinners and pink lunches; they sent or cards for soirees; went to all the charit. balls, Harnesses and chance parties which they could obtain an entree. The smiled, and simpered, and danced, an promenaded with Spartan endurance and still they remained the Misses N nnomville.
 Dut when the waves of society we'