CHAPTER VII.
THE SUPERLATIVE COUSIN BILL J.
A splendid new interest had now come into the household in the person of one whom Clytemnestra had so often named as Cousin Bill J.Grandfather Delcher having been ordered south for the winter by Dr.Crealock, Cousin Bill J., upon Clytie's recommendation, was imported from up Fredonia way to look after the cow and be a man about the place.

Clytie assured Grandfather Delcher that Cousin Bill J.had "never uttered an oath, though he's been around horses all his life!" This made him at once an object of interest to the little boy, though doubtless he failed to appraise the restraint at anything like its true value.

It had sufficed Grandfather Delcher, however, and Cousin Bill J., securing leave of absence from the livery-stable in Fredonia, arrived the day the old man left, making a double excitement for the household.
He proved to be a fascinating person; handsome, affable, a ready talker upon all matters of interest--though sarcastic, withal--and fond of boys.
True, he had not long hair like the little boy's father.

Indeed, he had not much hair at all, except a sort of curtain of black curls extending from ear to ear at the back of his bare, pink head.

But the little boy had to admit that Cousin Bill J.'s moustache was even grander than his father's.