The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-04-06
BILLS COUSIN.

NOW Nou Hllt! HOW was 10 KNOW any
thing about him, when nobody else knew,
not even big Jim himself--he's been to a
prep school, and is going to college some
day say even Jim don't know.
When my pop told me Arthur was COM
ing to spend IA month at our house, ! knew
I'd hate him don't like boys with names
like Arthur and Willie and Montgomery
and all that rubbish. My names Bill Then
Arthur was sickly, and | don't like boys
that sit around and cough, and can't skate
for fear of catching cold, and have to 90 to
bed at nine o'clock. Then again | knew
I'd have to give up half my bed to him,
and like as not he'd tell on me if | slid out
and down the shed, to join the boys on a
lark, after the old folks was asleep.
But OF course there wasn't any use of
saying anything to pop; he never seems to
care what | want, So Arthur came, and
had to drive ma over to the station in our
carriage to meet him.
He was kinder thin chap. little
span clothes Ma said he was a perfect
gentleman, and pop said he knew some
boys that ought to pattern after Arthur.
That made me madden than ever and
suppose | allowed it; but Arthur he just
talked smooth and pleasant and asked me
questions about things till nearly went
wild.
tried to pick a quarrel more'n ten
times III the first week, but he never SEEM
ed to understand what was after, and a
fellow can't very well biff his cousin in
the eye, off hand like for nothing.
| asked Jim Taylor about it, and he
thought it was a shame.
81 don't see what you can do, ;" Jim said
''cert to introduce him around among the
boys, and let one of them lick him."
That seems a good idea, but it didn't
seem to work, because when the boys met
Arthur he behaved so nicely that they all
liked him-a1l 'cept Jim Taylor He said
Arthur was a sneak and ought to be
punished, and for two pins he'd do it.
hated to have him to do it, because he
was bigger than Arthur, and Arthur was
sickly; but that very day Arthur made me
mad by saying that he didn't like jim
said he was common fellow, and so
ignorant that his society wouldn't do any
boy any good. That determined me to
leave Arthur to his fate.
About two days after that was walking
along the street with Arthur, when | saw
jim coming. | stopped to speak to him
and Arthur went on il little way and waited |
for me
Thinks himself to good to associate
with mt, does he?' said Jim to me-
''les, he does, | replied. And without
saying another word, Jim walked up to my
cousin and gave hni a pretty hard shove.
whats that for" asked Arthur sur.
prised like
Cause | want to, said Jim. "Ill .
shove you all over town, if want to"
But he didn't shove Arthur rot an
inch farthr, for Arthur just reached out
about three feet with his right hand and |
took Jim by the collar and-Say! You've |
seen IA terrier shake a rat haven't you? |
Well Jim was all shook up just like that
and when Arthur let him go he went down
in heap, like bundle Of old clothes.
Then Arthur said:
you young scoundrel, believe you
put him up to this
And before could say anything | was
all shook up, like Jim, and dropped down
beside him.
As | went down, | hit against Jim's |
boots and heel, and that is how | got this |
black eye.
Oh, you needn't laugh, When | got
home Arthur was packing up to 90 back
to the city, and it was all ma could do to
persuade him to stay over night. He did
90 away next day, and my pop lalruped
me three times No, don't think Arthur
told, but pop found out somehow, and
oh, don't talk to me. never want to see
any cousins any more.