Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-06-22

quite as perfect as it used to be, ana SO l
may not see quite rightly. Make all aliowan-
ces, dear reader.
SAY that 1 must have looked ugly at that
moment. Be that ae it may, thought that
was looking spendidly; thought the ngure
] cut was an honor to the name of Brown and
l was proud of it proud as l walked up TO
Janet's window, and placed carefully there
the ladder that was to bear her to my side.
EVERYTHING was silent about the house. Fate
was surely with us. Fanny has been brbed
into service. As / stood there, l could see
her little figure fit noiselessly to and fro by
the window, and how blessed her from the
bottom of my heart, for her kindness!
At last Janet commenced descending the
ladder, and as she did SO the moon crowded
in ont of sight under huge black cloud.
The heavens favored us; our success might
be looked upon as fixed. Three steps more
upon the ladders's rounds, and Jauet's dainty
little feet would stand upon terra tirfnG my
own The steps were taken, and she held for
a moment fondly by the sleeves of my blue
broad cloth, before we looked up to the win
dow, both with upraised hands, to catch a
small bundle of clothing that Fanny was to
throw down to us, and which we had no other
means to carry with US.
ssBe quiet, FAM whispered Janet, as her
sister appeared at the window and poised the
bundle above our heads. ssBe quiet Fan, for
But Fanny still stood there swinging back
ward and forward the huge bundle, without
needing Janet's earnest entreaty.
ssDo, do, throw it, Fanny deari Do have
some mercy on me! What if father should
know Of this? What if he should be awaken
ed ?''
ssLa, give it to her, Fan: don't plague your
sister, she's in hurry ~ called a voice at
that moment from the closed blinds at the
parlor windows, which belonged to none other
than DIR. Stoddard.
ssGive her the things; and tell the boys to
carry out a bag of corn, cheese, some wheat
and butter to the cart. Janet must have set
ting out. Only be still about it, Fam"
For moment we were petrified upon spot !;
thought 1 should fall to the ground. What
should we do-run, faint, die, evaporate or go
mad? While we stood undecided, two huge
mattresses fell at our feet from the window
followed at once by sheets, pillow cases, table
cloths, and sundry other articles necessary to
the setting up Of respectable housekeeping
establishment.
ssMother, mother, don't one of these new
feather beds belong to Janet 20 called Charlie
Stoddard, from one part of the house.
ayes, yes, and bolster, and pair of nice
pillows too. Garry 'em right out of the front
door, was the answer.
ssWhose horse have you, Jason ?'' asked
the doctor, pushing up the blind, ssYour faith
er's7''
ssY-e-e-s sir,'' I stammered.
ssHumph! didn't you know better than
that that old grey isn't worth button to go.
Why didn't you come up to my barn and get
my black mare Sam, Sam, hurry away
straight to the barn and harness black Molly
for Jason. If you'll believe it, he was going
to start off with his fathers old horse Be
quick Sam-work livey-they are in hurry !;
it's time they were off,
.silave you anything with you, Janet, to eat
on the road 70 put in Mrs. Stoddard, poking
her head out of the window.
ssNo ma 'am,'' faltered Janet moving step
or two from me.
sWell, that's good forethought. And as
live, there isn't bit of cake cooked in the
house, either! Can you make some white
bread and bacon, and some brown bread and
cheese do, Jason7 It's all we have.''
eyes s,ma'am,'' [ said meekly stepping easi-
ly as l could little further from Janet.
ssLook, father and mother, quick, now the
moon is out, and see Jason's new coat and
hat!" called Fan from the window, her merry
voice trembling with suppressed laughter,
ssIsn't that splended one, father ?-just look
at the length of its tails.''
ssJust give ME my glasses, wife," said the
doctor. sis it a new one, Jason ?''
"Yes sir, rather new," said giving an ca
ger look in the direction of the lane.
ssWell," drawled the doctor eyeing me sly
ly, ssthat coat is handsome 20
"And his hat, father!'' called the wicked
little Fan.
ssI declare !" exclaimed the doctor, ssWife,
wife, look here e,and see Jason's coat and hat ~
What should do-stand there till morning
before that incessent fire of words Should
1 run? Should 1 sneak off slowly, as Janet
was doing7 What, OH what should l do n
ssDon't they look nice, mother ?'' asked the
doctor, putting one broad brown hand over his
OH ooSf
down to his knees. ssHe-haw he haw, hi-he-
hawi Mother-he- -haw-don't they look nice, ,
roared the doctor.
l could not stand it any longer. The doc
tors laugh was signal it was echoed from
all parts of the house. Fan cackled from the
chamber window Sam shouted from the barn;
Mrs. Stoddard she -h-ho'd'' from the kitchens
while Charlie threw himself down in the door
way and screamed like a wild Indian. / turn
ed around; l gave leap across the garden.
Every Stoddard called after me. l am wrong;
every Stoddard but Janet; she remained si-
lent. One told me to come back for the bread
and cheese; another that had forgotten nv
bundle and bride another bade me wait for
black Molly and the new buggy; Fan bade
me hold up my coat tails, or 1 should get
them draggled.
1 didn't heed any of these requests 1 went
directly for home, which reached feeling very
sheepish-no, sheepish is weak word for it
l can't express to you how felt. l had
great idea of hanging myself; l thought had
better be dead than alive; that had made an
idiot of myself. 1t was all plain. Fan had
BETRAYED u.s. | vowed vengeance upon her
until daylight, then sneaked out to the barn
and hid in the haystack. staid there until
Charlie Stoddard brought my fathers horse.
The old gentleman was frightened, wanted
TO know how he came by the horse. He was
told to ask me-. He did ask me, and made
clean breast of it. l didn't promise him not
to repeat the offence there was no need of
hut I ct h. IA