Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-05-12
A SURPRISE PARTY SURPRISED.

''Surprse parties" are the last new 'sagony,"
and not the least surprising, and agoni=iHg
was the one in which my friend Nellie Hunter
played conspicuous part.
Mr.. Hunter, an exceedingly wealthy and
eccentric old gentleman, resided in the coun
try in large, old fashioned house, with his
daughter, Nellie, two servants, three dogs and
two cats. Il am particular in my enumeration,
as they were s:each and every one'' objects of
solicitude to the old gentleman.) After the
above description, Introduction and digres-
sion, | will hasten on to the unfolding of the
sso'er true tale"
One bleak, cold December night, Nellie sat
alone by the fire, enjoying uninterruptedly
the comforts of severe cold, for which she
had been eating (by the persuasion and recon-
mendation of old Dcbby, the help,) large
dose Of onions, the effect Of which, Debby
told her, would be miraculous, together with
a Joct Of hot punch, which she had prepared
for her to take before retiring. In vain Nell
lie protested against imbibing any more nos
trum declaring herself perfectly satisfied with
the efficacy of the onions, and did not regRire
the punch. And in truth the onions did seem
to have touched her feelings as she sat, the
tears streaming down her checks.
But bark did you not hear it Bells, sure
ly bells, upon the midnight air, making night
hideous with their unwelcome jingle. To
make assurance doubly sure, in rushed Pete
with the astonishing intelligence that more
than forty 'ieven sleighs had turned in at the
Ssbig gate" and were tearing down to the
Nj i
tremity, knew not what to do at first. GA sur
prise party - and she to receive the guests
with oniony breath and red eyes. How could
she give TO the female portion the kiss Of well
come o horrible
happy suggestion from Debby to eat Gin
namon-plenty in the spice box in the pantry.
fastening to the pantry, she drew out the
spice-drawcr, seized 4 paper containing (as
she supposedly cinnamon /; tearing open the
cover, she raised the paper to her mouth, and
poured half the contents dOaon her throat
With shrek she dashed the paper to the
| floor, splitting, sneezing, coughing, and per-
! forming unconsciously double step mazour-
ka. Yes! tits true, tits true, and pity 'ts true,
! that she had made grand mistake-a sad mis-
take, and had swallowed quantity of red pep
! per. Screaming Justify on Debby for assis-
tance, she rushed through the kitchen to her
own room. Observing bowl on the table,
! and supposing it to contain water, she caught
| it up and swallowed a large mouthful Of Deb
| by's boiling punch. The bowl shared the same
fate as the paper of pepper. Away it went,
! crash against the stove. The whisky taking
fire at the insult, raised up in mystic blue
blaze, to the horror of the cats, which lay do
zing beneath the stove. Away they scamper-
| ed to the hall, endeavoring to make their es-
cape. Poor Nellie, now almost frantic from
the effects of the pepper and whisky, and halt
blinded by tears, ono longer crocodile tears,
but tears of intense agony,) seeing large
pan of water setting on bench, dipped heI
face, head and hands into the cooling liquid
Again and again she splashcd the welcome
water on aching brow and burning mouth. In
the midst OF her ablutons, she was startled
by an exclamation of horror from Debby.-
ssGood gracious! what's the gal about-sure
as am livn' sinner she has washed her face
in my black; dye stuff; now you'll be black
as niger for two months, that's sartin.'
Nellie glanced at her hands, and the awfu
truth broke on her startled vision. There wa:
no relief for poor, wee Nellie, save to rctrea
to her room and there remain unseen. s.Rc
member, Dcbby, I'm not at home" Sht
started with all the speed she could summon
to reach her own room before the company
would enter the front door. To reach it, sht
had to cross the hall she had very nearly
gained her door, when the front door burs
open, and in rushed Pete, closely pursued b,
a large black dog. In his fright he did no
perceive Nellie, who was still running swiftly
and in her abstraction and agony she saw o
thought of nothing save her own concealment
The first intimation that either had of the 9th
er'S presence, was severe blow on Nellie
nose, from the redoubtable Pete, who ran a
gainst her with such force that both were pre-
cipitated to the floor, the blood flowing from
l the nose of the unfortunate Nellie. The do!
bounded over Pete's head; whereat he gay
: such deuce of shout, that Mr.. Hunter
hearing the noise from his room, and not be
ing aware of the Party arrival, seized tn
poker and rushed out, closely followed by hi
three four-footed companions Cthe dogs. See
: ing Nellie on the floor, her face black, ant
blood flowing from her nose, and Pete found
ering, kicking and yelling at the dog. he natu
rally suspected some foul play. Then seVera
, gentlemen of the party came in. The oil
: gentleman supposing them to be the attacking
party, made at them with the. poker, dealing
his blows promiscuously amongst them. Ih
dogs. tenacious of their masters rights, oh
!, serving the strange dog, made simultaneou
o rush at him as he was about to make his es