The Delaware City news. (Delaware City, Del.) 188?-18??, 1889-03-21
TIE POOR COUSIN.

"l}ichard. Lucy Ames is coming here
to ray us a visit. OF all thingsl Why
we have never seen her nor she us.
What can be the meaning of it, l won-
der?"
Mrs. Redding addressed Richard,
particularly, we suppose, because lie
was the eldest of her six children, all
present; and ever since the death of the
husband and father, three years before.
totally recognized him as the head of the
family. The honor fitted him exactly.
A young man of tour-and-twenty years
well developed and manly, lie had run
the farm, met all expenses, provided
for all necessities, made "both ends
meet" and rendered his widowed
mother, who regarded a "debt, "wheth-
er great or small, as an incubus, happy
and contented in her widowhood.
"Curlosity is at the bottom of it, no
doubt" replied Richard. Then, after
a moments thought, he added: "But
whatever brings her here, let us not
forget, boys and girls, that she is our
cousin, and our guest. and accordingly
TO he treated with all courtesy.''
"Do you think it necessary to cau-
tion us against an infringement of a
common, well-known custom2" asked
precise little Alice OF fifteen years.
mot you, pussy; but then the boys
are sometimes boisterous and thought
less, you know, and Bert especially"
he said. laughing and laying his elder
btother' = -iJ0n the handsome youngs-
ttr's head, ''don't always take kindly
to What he termes city airs ;"
"Ohl'' calculated Mrs. Redding, who
had continued reading the letter; ''she
is coming to us because she has no
other relative, she says" Tears started
to the Widows eyes, as she passed the
letter over to her eldest son. "Poor
girl" she said, "as she is doubly op.
pressed, has no relatives and is probab-
ly destitute, l suppose we must take
her."
May | come TO you?" the girl had
written. 81 have no one else."
Mrs. Redding's motherly heart was
touched by the pathetic appeal, as was
also that of the eldest son.
Certainly" added Richard, directly
he had finished reading the letter, tive
must"
The next Saturday nights train from
the city brought Lucy Ames to the
farmhouse of her aunt.
rs this Miss Lucy Ames?" asked
Richard Redding. hat in hand, as the
young lady stood upon the platform at
the railway station, evidently looking
for some one.
"Thank you, yes. and you2"
"Your cousin, Richard Redding.
extend to you a happy greeting for the
whole of our numerous family, the best
part of which, my mother. is awaiting
you here in the carriage. Your check,
please, and l will get your trunk"
"Oh, | have no trunk, only this
valise," she said. passing it over to
him, and following him to the carriage,
where were Mrs. Redding and her eld-
est daughter, Mary.
''My mother and sister Mary-Miss
Lucy Ames, our cousin, said Richard,
handing the young girl in.
"We are very glad to welcome you,
my DEAR" said Mrs. Redding, kissing
her.
"We shall love you, know" said
Mary, or Ma" as tile children had
dubbed her, because OF her motherly
qualities.
"rhank you all, oh, so muchl''
through her tears. 81 was almost afraid
to venture amongst you. You won't
think me presumptuous?"
'Presumptuousl Nonsense my child;
to whom should you come, if not to
your auntP But where is the trunk?
Surely Richard, your are forgetful."
"No, aunt, | told him l had none.
Indeed this valise contains all l shall
need, T" said Lucy.
Poor girl, she must be poor indeedl"
thought Mrs. Redding.
The rich color mounted to Lucy's
face, for she remembered her heslta-
tion about bringing even herself, for
fear Of a chilling reception. But her
heart was already warmed, and a sense
of security, of contentment and happi-
ness, such as she had not felt for many
u long weary day, was already stealing
over her.
"Oh, what a sweet little house." said
Lucy, as Richard stopped and assisted
the ladies out. And these boys and
girls, are they all my cousins?" as the
aock came down the pathway, as with
one impulse, to greet her.
"All," said Richard, naming each
as he or she was introduced to the new