The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-02-03
THE COUNTRY COUSIN.

AZ
for visitor, Sersphina ?"
Yes don't you pity me p
us she so very countrifed ?"
"Oh, presume so. She comes from
the northern part of New Hampshire,
and is the daughter of farmer. I
have never seen her, for this is her first
visit to Boston, but have no doubt she
is complete rustic"
Poor Seraphina, how 1 pity you!
Will she be at your party p
Il am afraid so, unless she gets home
sick and goes home before. But I've
no doubt she will enjoy her visit to the
city too we'll, and it's only week to
my party, you know"
Why were you obliged to invite
her ?"
"Oh, We couldn't get rid Of it. Pa
insisted on il, though ma and did all
we could do to prevent it. Well, get
out here. Goodby, dear
"Goodby, Seraphina.
Miss Seraphina Flower signalled to tho
conductor to stop the car and got out.
The conversation between the two
girls had been listened to with great in.
terest by young girl in travelling
dress, sitting near by. She may be OK.
cused for feeling somewhat interested.
for she was the country cousin whose
intended visit excited so much alarm.
She would not have recognized either
of the speakers but for the name Sera.
phina, and the circumstances that
pointed so clearly to her own visit.
IL will ride on" she said to herself.
Il don't want Seraphina to know that
have heard her speak of me. / will
ride mile or two further, and take n
car back. will take care not to disap
point her expectations, but appear as
countrified as she expects"
Edith Grant was the daughter of n
well-to-do farmer, and though she had
always lived in the country, had en-
loyed advantages of education, not ONLY
III the solid, but in the ornamental
branches, quite equal to her cousin.
while she had been a diligent student,
and made much better use of them. An
elderly French professor, who had set
tied in country town for the sake of
his health, had impaired to her an ex-
cellent knowledge of his language,
while she excelled, not only as a musi.
cal performer, but as a singer OF this,
however, her city cousin knew nothing.
half an hour or more after Miss Sera-
phina arrived at home, the bell was
rung by her country cousin.
"Is MSS Fowler or Seraphiny to
hum ?" asked Edith, with broad Yam.
kee accent.
III see" answered the astonished
servant. WHO shall 1 say wishes to see
her =
Her cousin, Edith Grant, to be sure.
just arrived from New Hampshire.
With suppressed smile, the servant
showed Edith into the parlor.
Presently Miss Seraphina sailed into
the room and held out her hand in Ian
guild curiosity But she was almost
paralyzed when Edith made rush for
her, enveloped her in a boisterous em.
brace, exclaiming:
why, Cousin Seraphiny, how dew
you dew, and how's your ma? I'm
.
just as l expected, said Seraphina
to herself, with an inward groan.
She's fearfully rustic. I'm very well,
thank you, she answered, coldly "and
so is my mother How did you Gomez"
81 came by the horse-cars. I've got
a check for my trunk. 1 guess l can
get an expressman to get it.
81 presume so. p"
What stylish gown you've got on,
Cousin Seraphiny wish l had one
like it,"
Il may find one or two of my old
dresses for you to wear" said Seraphina,
condescendingly. Il suppose You make
your own dresses in the country ?"
1--WE get 'em cut by a dressmaker-
Sophy Sykes she goes out by the day
-75 cents a day she charges. It's
high, but she makes EN- fashionable, "
mo doubt, said Seraphina. with a
sneer Would you like to go in your
room? ?"
Yes, Seraphiny, if you please. I'm
awful dusty. Perhaps ia better go
INTO the kitchen, and if you've got such
thing as wash-basin I'll slick up a
little.
Heavens and earth she's worse
than / expected. How can | have her
at my party ? thought Seraphina.
You will find a wash-basin in your
room, she said, with a curl of the lip.
That's handy" returned Edith
Ihe servant was callod who ushered