Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-01-12
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TIFF BACHELOR COUSIN.
Observation-Disclosures

twenty, counting the last stop
"hich was from May until November;
really, that makes twenty and a half
times your cousin Jim has visited US.
lie began early and stayed late the
Iast time. you know. What has Jim
Fosdyke got to say this time, SilasT'
Same old thing. Mandy; same old
thing Jim never changes his tune;
works on my feelings and teils about
how he longs TO visit the old hooks
and corners of the farm once more
Speaks in fetching sort of way about
the old swimming hole down under
the willows; aiso grips me tighter than
burr about thu fishing place be-
low the mill dam, where he once
yanked out four-poand pike with a
minnow hook. JiMs got the same old
gift Of drawing folks to him that he
always had. Poor old boy! lie has
not changed a bit since he went to
the city to build up fortune. He's
cut Gut for Il bachelor. and will al
ways go it alone to the end. If he
was married. and was going to bring
N'NAiS a naughty NlIc anu IL lOl VI
fresh and saucy children I'd think diff
ferent about his coming here year
after year. The poor, lonesome, old
boy clings to the place IL he has got
barrels of money; can't say as he
throws his wealth around when he
does come
Only pays ordinary price for board,
that's all and no more. l will say
this about Cousin Jim-he never finds
any fault with things; he never COM
plains, warm meals or cold; they're
all the same to Jim. He really seems
to enjoy plain fare the best, and al
ways tells me not TO fuss with fancy
dishes. He crawls up the narrow
stairs to the little chamber without
a murmur. Some rich old bachelors
who live most of the year in high
toned hotels and fashionable boarding
houses would find lots of fault. He
don't; he's common like, and easy to
please: just likes to take or his coat
and loaf around; hangs on the fence
as though he was watching the grass
grow; loves to sit on the stoop in the
evening like any poor man listening
to the tree toads and frogs. Silas,
your cousin Jim has never risen q
pes above you if he has got barrels
OF money. Poor jim, / saw be was
siling when he was here the last time.
Perhaps that was the reason why he
came so early and stayed so late"
IL don't like to write and tell him
that crops look poor, and that we are
a little pinched, and don't really care
for company this"
Don't you do 1t, Siias; don't you
do K. why. that would be cruel and
wrong; and it would break the poor
old bachelors heart You are the only
one LIE has got left of the old stock
I'm these parts; the rest are all gone to
the city. Silas, Cousin Jim just pines
for the sight of your face. and the old
place where you and he were boys to-
other. 1t is like a heaven to him to
get back here with you and the dear
old familiar things he loves so much.
Now you sit right down and tell him
we will be tickled to see him again.
Tell him the apple tree limbs are
humping up against.the window of the
little chamber; tell him the grass is
greener than ever, that the SNOWFALL
bush hangs heavy, and that the roses
were never so sweet. You might tell
him that my last churning was tie
hest | ever turned out since we got the
new COWS. Mention word about my
raised biscuits and say little some
thing about the bees and the nice
honey. 1t will come like a breath
from the old sweet home when poor
Cousin Jim reads all that. He viii
hardly be able to wait poor boyr'
II was the same old homecoming.
only Cousin Jim hunched over little
more In the buggy as Silas drove from
the station through the shady lane of
NAPLES leading TO the little farmhouse
ensconced among the apple trees at
the further end.
During the short drive he said but
little: and when Silas asked him
question he hesitated. falteredand rub
he'd his chin before replying. When
Old Gray turned down the lane where
the robins were singing and the squir-
rels chipperlng. a trace of the old
Light came back TO the old bachelors
eyes and the faded. sanken cheeks
glowed trife.
"Si." he murmured. laying his thin
hand upon the others knee. 'let nue.
drive Old Gray home through the
lane
The lines hung listlessly from his
hands as the old mare slowly walked
along the familiar place toward the
house. where Mandy stood in the door
way with glad smile of welcome
overspreading her kindly face. Then
when the horse halted at the block.
he said. handing over the lines:
I think | have been driving right
into heaven. 81"
why. Cousin Jim. l am so glad to
SEE YOU again. Ii seems so like old
tines to see you and Silas driving
home through the lane" And the good
woman came forward With both hands
outsuetched. Her eyes grew moist
when she saw how feeble the Old
bachelor cousin was. She and Silas
had to almost lift him from his buggy.
and her strong arms supported the
frail form as he walked with dragging
steps up the gravel walk and into the
cool. flower scented parlor. His eyes
roved about the quiet place aud be
sighed. Heaven. heaven at lastl
You lie right down on the couch,
Cousin Jim, and take a nap while
get supper. XII call you in time 10
wash and freshen up. I'm going 20
have some raised biscuits and honey
You always liked that
Tie tired man laid his head back
and murmured: Dear Mandy l am
so glad TO get back home again.