Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-01-23
TIFF BACHELOR COUSIN.


A0 ANDY, he's coming again this
Iml year the same as before. About
%1oSs how many years has Cousin
Jim been coming here to stay the
summer"
Twenty, counting the last stop
which was from May until November;
really, that makes twenty and a half
times your cousin Jim has visited us.
He began early and stayed late the
last time, you know. What has Jim
Fosdyke got to say this time, Silas?"
Same old thing, Mandy; same old
thing. Jim never changes his tune;
works on my feelings and tells about
how he longs to visit the old hooks
and corners of the farm once more.
Speaks In a fetching sort of way about
the old swimming hole down under
the willows; also grips me tighter than
a burr about the fishing place be-
low the mill dam, where he once
yanked out four-pound pike with
minnow hook. Jim's got the same old
gift of drawing folks to him that he
always had. Poor old boy! He has
not changed a bit since he went to
the city to build up a fortune. He's
cut out for a bachelor, and will al
ways go it alone to the end. II he
was married, and was going to bring
along naughty wife and q lot Of
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; l 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 | will say
this about Cousin Jim-he never finds
any fault with things; he never COM
pains, 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 off 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,
hoo
peg above you if he has got barrels
OF money. Poor jim! I saw he was
alling when he was here the last time
perhaps that was the reason why he
came so early and stayed so late"
L don't like to write and tell him
mat crops look poor, and that we are
little pinched, and don't really care
Tor company this"
Don't you do it, Silas; don't you
10 It. Why, that would be cruel and
wrong; and it would break the poor
oio bachelors heart You are the only
one he has got left of the old stock
IN these parts; the rest are all gone to
me city. Silas, Cousin Jim just pines
Ior the sight of your face, and the old
pace where you and he were boys to-
stner. 1t is like a heaven to him to
get back here with you and the dear
olu FAMILIAR things he loves so much.
NOW you sit right down and tell him
we will be tickled to see him again.
leil him the apple tree limbs are
jumping up against the window of the
"'te chamber; tell him the grass is
Sreener than ever, that the SNOWFALL
ousn hangs heavy, and that the roses
we're never so sweet. You might tell
Jun that my last churning was the
oeSt ever turned out since we got the
ne" COWS. Mention word aboutl my
raised biscuits and say a little some
Jung about the bees and the nice
money 1t will come like q breath
from the old sweet home when poor
oouslh Jim reads all that He will
"aruiy be able to wait, poor boyr'
II was the same old homecoming,
Ony cousin Jim hunched over q little
ulofe In the buggy as Silas drove from
ne station through the shady lane of
naples leading to the little farmhouse
uSeohced among the apple trees at
Tue further end.
n. Turing the short drive he said but
' and when Silas asked him
kasSuoh he hesitated, falteredand rub
ol MA nis chin before replying. When
~ gray turned down the lane where
ene robins were singing and the souir-