Evening journal., 1897-12-20
SCENE SUMMER.
Iity Cousin to Country Cousin


Nell: How are my old country
friends? You know ! am longing to
greet the zephyr-stirved clover which
bends to the bee with its burden of
sweet; the harvest-6elds, golden with
grain, the pasture-lot emerald green,
and the smile of my old rustic swain, |
who so sheepishly called me his queen.
Nell what of the old wooded nook,
with its wealth of green moses and
ferns, on the banks OF the translucent
brook, where the sumac bush blos-
sons and burns? The city just well
ters in heat, and / long to be there by
your side, drinking draughts which are
cooling and sweet, while in sylvan re-
cesses We hide. Then, Nell, be a dear
girl and say, you will welcome me
there once again-Ill pack up the very
next day, and come be it sunshine or
rain. For weeks we will have lots of
fun, and I've got some nice samples for
you; bye-bye, till l see you again, /
remain, your affectionate SUE
COUNTRY COUSIN TO CITY COUSIN.
Dear Sue: What joyful surprisel
Why, certainly come right along
We've apples, and peaches, and pies,
and the day is one sweet Summer song.
The fields are deep-cOvered with grass,
the birds twitter up in the trees, and
the young rabbit springs from its form,
as we plunge through the under
grOwth's leaves; the brook babbles on
in its course, kissing mOsses which
border its brink, ever singing a right
merry song, to the knee which so down
there to drink; the ferns bend with in
finite grace, and the meadow is lush
with its green-then let us once more
see the face of our Johns little sweet
heart and queen. We are all just as
busy as bees-nOt rich but we're happy
and we'll. We're longing to greet you.
and no enc shall meet you, but John
and your own cousin NELL
Miss Sue comes, and for two months
Miss Nellie and her mother do every
thing in their power to make her Sum-
mer pass pleasantly. The mother does
all of the housework so that Miss Nell
lie may devote her entire time to the
entertainment of their young and fas-
cinating guest, who brings with her a
bewildering assortment of wearing ap-
parel most of it linen, duck, lawn and
gingham, which Miss Nellie and her
mother wash and iron while Miss Sue
is in bed dreaming or thinking of the
delights of rural life
Brother John is relieved from duty
in the field that he may lose his time
and head in the service of this fasci-
mating creature who makes a shuttle
cock of his heart and a convenience OF
his manly regard.
Two or three horses. which are sore
ly needed in the field, are from time
to time pressed into service to show
Miss Sue the surrounding country and
a good time generally at picnics, beach
parties and straw-rides.
Finally Fall comes. 1t is time fol
Miss Sue to say goodbye. Everybody
regrets it, and poor John most Of all
for he wonders how he win live with
out her. Just before leaving to take
the train at a railroad station, which j:
a mile or two away, she extends (
them all a pressing invitation to come
up and see her and stay just as Ions
as they can. But her most effusive in
vitatiOn is given to Miss Nellie, who Il
told that if she does not come to th'
city when the stores are all in holiday
attire and the homes are full of sOcia
life it will be regarded as a persona
slight and bitterly resented Miss Mel
lie promises, and permits John to driv
Miss Sue over to the station. He take
heart on the way, aud proposes, onl.
to be informed that, while she respect
him as a friend and almost regard
him as a brother, she can never thinl
of him in the light Of a lover as he
affections are not hers to bestOw. JOhl
stands the blow as best he can, and al
ter he has seen her safely seated in tn
car returns to his home in a most de
spondent frame of mind. His mother
with a woman's intuition, realize
what has befallen him, for she has see
it coming all Summer; and in a day c
two she breaks the news to the fathei
The old man endeavors to comfort tn
Tilted boy by telling him that Miss Su
would never make a farmer a suitabl
helpmeet, because, while fascinating
she would never become reconciled
the drudgery of the farm.
But John has his own views abol
that and mopes around the place unit
next Springs work drives him to II
fields and gives him something else
think about.
Fall drifts into Winter and IL
Christmas holidays are approachin
Miss Nellie has never been in the ell
to visit, her only urban experiences b
ing of a days duration under mo
disadvantageous circumstances. 81
recalls to the minds of her parents u
invitation Miss Sue gave her on Il
day of parting, and asks if she may a
cept it. At first they say no, but 81
cOaxes the mother and the moth
cOaxes the father and finally he co
sents.
Then he is told that Miss Nellie
wardrobe must be renewed before S
AFt5,.. ,r,.o. r.r,o-r cr Iho| civ
his wife $50 or SIS, which he intend
to use in paying OFF a note soon to (.
due Miss Nellie and her mother a
happy They go TO the nearest toy
and buy the best dress goods that t
limited market affords New shoes M