The Comings of Cousin Ann

Ann Is

but as the visitor emerged she came forward. "How do you do, Cousin Ann?

tory peck on her cheek. "We left Cousin Betty Throckmorton's

fact that the sorrel horses, although of the famous Golddust breed,

ly, but a glance from his mistress made him add, "but we ain

of 33 the day," said Miss Ann with an added

to the hitching post although he knew that the fat old Cupid and Puck

y Aunt Em'ly. "We've got to let her kiss us and we mi

ein' black," chuckled Aunt Em'ly. "I

ther. The old lady called all of her young relations cousin without adding the Christian name and it was generally

your promise," w

"Now is the time, before the trunks

e guest chamber. I mean the-hall room," hesitated poo

looking piteously at Mrs. Bucknor said, "What you say, Miss Milly?

m'ly, picking up a great hat box and a Gladstone bag. "I'

s beard with its many wrapped plaits wagged ominously and he could hardly wait t

uz up room what ain't mo'n a dressin'-room? Miss Ann air always been a havin' the gues' chamber an' I'm a gonter 'stablish her thar now. Miss Milly done got mixed up, Sis Em'ly," and th

mined old darkey pushed by Aunt Em'ly and entered th

ase they done put flowers in her room an' all," and ol

d enough fer mos' folks. I reckon yo' Miss Ann ain't a whit better'n my Miss Mildred and my Miss Nan-ain't so good in fac', kase they's got the same blood she air an' mo' of it. They's a older fambly than sh

bout her-at least so the old man fancied. Aunt Em'ly was in reality merely standing up for the rights of her own especial white folks, but to the dazed old man she seemed like a symbolic figure of famine

so willed it and far be it from him to object to her commands. Even going without breakfast was no hardship, if it so pleased his beloved mistress. The meal he had declared to Mrs. Bucknor they had eaten at a hotel on the way was purely

ty, was not really a member of the family but had merely married into it. According to Uncle Billy's geography she was not even an American, let alone a Kentuckian, since she had come from some foreign parts vaguely spoken of as New England. He and Miss Ann

s in several of the places visited during the last year but there had been no open break or rudeness until that evening at the Throckmortons'. It was a little 38 unfortunate that they had come in on the family without warning, just as the oldest grandchildren were recovering from measles and the youngest daughter, Lucy, had made up her mind to ha

scent hospital, Miss Ann must share room and bed with the reluctant Lucy. Bureau drawers were cleared and part of a wardrobe dedicated to the aged relative. Moreover there was no room in the stable for the visiting carri

d and feeble to "make the young folks stand around." As for the white people, Uncle Billy couldn't make up his mind what was the matter with them. Wasn't Miss Ann the same Miss Ann who had been visiting ever since her own beautiful home, Peyton, had been burned to the ground just after the war? She

ame a habit. Her father, a widower, died a few weeks after the fire and later her brother. The estate had dwindled until only a small income was inherited by the bereaved Ann. 40 Visiting was cheap. She was made welcome by the relations, and

handsome young woman of lively and engaging manners, whose beaux were legion, was very different from having a peculiar old lady in a hoop skirt descend upon you unawares from a sh

gingly put the scrag of a fried chicken and a hunk of cold corn bread. The cook was a new cook and not at all inclined to bother herself over a

been entertaining this old cousin of her husband for many years and while she was not honored with as many visits as some of the relations she was sure she had her full share

e in a jocular vein," and Uncle Billy saw through the open door t

ng from pillar to post, never knowing where you will land next and never sure whether your relations will have room for you or not. As it is, just now I am really af

e. We go immediately." Miss Ann's voice was loud and clear. She stood up and pushed ba

would be quite comfortable in one and I am sure I could find exactly the right sort. You would have to make a deposit of several thousands-I don't know exactly how much but you must have a little something left since you p

m the dining-room. Billy was summoned and since it was out of the question to start so late in the 43 evening it was determined that daylight should find them on their way to Buck Hill-Buck Hill where a certain f

Hill-and a