The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-04-23

blamed with the proceedings the night
be- ssorc, but to our relief he uttered not
a word on the subject; ard on our way
home, in apparently the best humor in
the world, told US that we were to be
invited to party at Mr.. Collins, which
was TO come off the next weed. We re-
ceived the formal invitation in due time,
and the appointed evening found us
among the first at the house Couple
after couple came in until the house was
literally crowded with young folks eager
for the fun. At length the fiddlers ar
rived and at j. they went. Set after set
took and left the floor and still Bob
Westley was soliciting a partner for a
french four." While he was thus en-
gagged, Frank Millet stepped round and
tapping each one of US on the shoulder,
who had been engaged in the affair
with the log, bade US to follow him to
the outside of the house. When we had
all gathered round him he first caution
cd US to keep silent, and then addressed
Us, Boys! you are all aware that when
L belonged to your crowd, you always
selected ne as Jour leader in any da-
ring adventure in which you wished to
engage, and that l always brought you
off safe" To this We all replied in the
affirmative, and he continued "Fhe,
other evening when I got in the run, by
the breaking of that log, I knew in an
instant to whom was indebted for the
favor, and frem that moment swore to
have revenge on Bob Westley, as the
ringleader of the affair. The party this
evening for the express purpose of car
rying out my plan. I have everything
arranged, end only need your assistance
to render it complete. Bob Westley,
you all ktow, to be as great a coward as
ever walked on two legs, and we will
make this means to pay him for his
trick on me. All that you have to do
is to keep quiet and give your assent to
everything l say until the party breaks
up" To this we declared our willing
ness, and we returned to the house. By
time Bob was pretty we'll tagged out,
and had retired to kitchen FIR drink.
Frank stepped NY to him, and laying
his hand familiarly on his shoulder, told
him we had been making up plan to
plague Nancy Brown. "a notorious CO.
quette,) and that we was TO request her
company, one at time, until she had re-
fused US all, and then to ask her all at
the same time. This proposal suited
Bob exactly, the more SO, as he had
private grudge against her which he
wished to pay. One thing Bob appear
ed certain of, that was that we would
all get " throaoed.n
OF course Frank had the thing all ar
ranged before hand, and when the rar-
ty broke up, Tom Evane slipped up to
her and had hardly made the preliminary
ahem-before he received the cold short
mo" Tom fell back, Bob slid into
his place and requested the exqui-
site" the question was cut short, for
Nancy turned slightly around, and with
one fher most bowitching smiles, gave
him the gracious Yes" The answer,
so unexpected, nearly staggered Bob
with amazement. He looked back at
ut imploringly, but it was of no avail,
and off he went, to make the best of
bad bargain. As soon as the crowd had
dispersed, Frank called us to one side,
gave to each cf us large white sheet,
at the same time giving US directions as
to the manner in which we were to use
them. As he finished, the old lady en-
tered with several punches of fax,
which Frank took and distributed among
US Thus equipped we started for a
deep hollow, which we knew Bob would
pass through on his way home. AS
soon rs VIC had arrived at the spot,
Frank took from his pocket a large bed
cord, which We fastened to two saplings
that stood opposite to each other, one
on each side of the road. Having finish
ed this; we proceeded few roads far
ther on the road which he had to come,
and prepared another rope in the same
manner. Scarcely had We finished un-
til we heard Bob come tearing down the
road, whistling to make himself believe
he was not afraid. We had scarcely
time to secret ourselves until he was
upon us; on he went, and tripping his
feet on the rope went heels over appe-
tite into the mud. The moment he fell
Frank sprung into the road, and utter
ing deep unearthly groan, half dozen
other white apparitions were around the
unfortunate Bob. He only gave one
short cry, aud epringing between us
bounded down the road as fast as his
legs would carry him, but the white ap.
partitions stuck close in his rear, and
lust as he turned his head to look back
for the first time, his feet struck the
other rope and down he went, and after
turning half dozen somersets regain
ed his feet. By this time he was pretty
near the run, the same one and at the
very same place he had sawed the log
for Frank. Pretty soon he reached the
run and found to his horror the banks
nearly full of water. What was to be