The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-11-17
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THEIR HUNCHBACKED COUSIN


resides in Paris received letter from
his nephew. who was at that time
trader in Haidarabad. The letter ter
minated thus
81 have received the portraits of my
cousins, Mary and Margaret, whom
have never had the pleasure of seeing,
having been since my infancy resi-
dent of Haidarabad. l skall arrive at
Havre in the brig Quos Ego about the
list of October and, with your consent.
shall marry my beautiful cousin
Mar
The remainder of the name, having
been written under the seal, had been
torn off and destroyed in opening the
letter, so that it was impossible to as
certain whether the nephew had cho-
sen Mary or Margaret
A mutual GOODNESS and jealousy now
sprang up between the sisters, who
had hitherto lived in the most affec-
tomato harmony. Each believed that
hers was the name mentioned in the
letter.
At length courier arrived from
Havre and announced that his master
would be in Paris the next day. The
servant was overwhelmed with ques
lions, to which he replied that his mas
ter had been ruined and that he was
afflicted with a protuberance on the
left shoulder similar to that which
had caused all the misfortunes of
Aesop, the Phrygian.
Both sisters vowed that they would
remain maids forever rather than wed
hunchbacked and penniless cousin.
The cousin arrived. The father en-
braced him cordially; the daughters
courtesied prettily and turned away
their eyes. The father explained the
accident that had befallen the letter
and inquired of his nephew the object
of his choice.
MY cousin Mary" answered the
nephew.
Never, neverv' exclaimed Mary 81
am satisfied with my condition and
shall not change it,
"Mademoiselle," said the nephew, 81
have adopted the habits of the country
of which | am all but native Read
the manners and customs in Haidara-
bad and you will see that in that coun-
try when a young mans proposals of
marriage are rejected he withdraws
himself from society as a useless mem
Der and
kills himselfr' exclaimed the other
sister, the good natured Margaret.
kills himself.' repeated the neph-
ew, in the tone of man about to
commit suicide
MY poor cousinw murmurs Mar
garet, with tears in her eyes. HE has
come so far to meet death in the bosom
of his family"
81 know" continued the nephew
that my deformity is offensive to the
| eye of woman, but time can accustom
| even the eye of woman to ugliness.
am also aware that my position as a
merchant is not the best. Engaged
| from early youth in the diamond trade
the only trade carried on in Haidara-
bad-I have lost all my fathers prop
erty, but | have gained experience. l
am young, active, Industrious. These
qualities are riches in themselves
Eyes, yes-hunchbacked and penni-
less" murmured Mary in a hooking
voice aside.
Poor young manw said Margaret,
and then added, II also have been re-
fused, cousin; but you don't seem to
mind that"
Refused, and by whom?" asked the
cousin.
"Why, by you yourself, in preferring
my sister to me-"
well" replied the cousin, what
will you say if l ask your father for
you?"
II shall entreat my father to let my
cousin live"
What! You consent, my pretty Mar
garet?' exclaimed the hunchback.
ITO save relations life l cannot
hesitate momentr'
Very good, my daughter" said the
father, touched by this scene 81 per-
ceive that romances have not spoiled
you. | have very limited income.
but cannot forsake my brothers son
in his distress. | will keep him here
as my son-in-law. If there is enough
for three, there is also enough for
four"
Uncle" said the nephew, with your
permission | will retire to arrange my
toilet little before luncheon"
He kissed Margarets hand, bowed to
Mary and withdrew to change his
travelling dress.
The uncle and his two daughters
placed themselves at table and await
ed the guest, who was soon announced
by the servant Both sisters uttered
a cry of surprise, but in different keys.
They beheld young gentleman of
slender and symmetrical form enter
the room. He advanced and embraced
Margaret. Placing before her a beau
tiful basket, he said, "There is your
DOVER"
The basket was filled with diamonds.
1T Is also the bunch which has de-
ceived the custom house officers and
arrived here free Of duty. This add
ed the nephew, SIS what | have car
ried on my shoulders from Bombay to
Havre, for the purpose Of Offering it
to the fair cousin who would be willing
to accept me with my pretended pow.
erty and deformlty. London Evening