The Van Buren press., 1861-07-10
Megistellanyy.
CAUGHT IN MY own TRAP.
BY LAURA j. AFTER.

Dora and hal been silent fully fifteen
minutes-an unusual occurrence for us
when she suddenly broke out with one Of
her gayest, sweetest peals of laughter. The
cars were going at the rate OF forty miles
an hour. but D,ra's laugh rang out, above
all the noise and confusion.
What is it. Dora, you witch YOU ?"
said, haif-piqued that she had not first told
me what pleased her, and laughed after
ward.
| ing ui sDnethisg 81 fuuay. Do you see
that gentleman just in front Of US, with
the beautiful black whiskers and dreamy
brown eyes, Well. he has been watching
you from behind that book for the las. half
| hour, looking as ii he should love to take a
bite of the red roses on your cheeks. Don't
blush; but he's in love with you-I'll bet
my gold thimbie on it. | was Just think
ing of some of the stories have read about
| young ladies mistakipg handso fellows
| for their brothers, etc., and what fun it
you'd be. if you could only manage to
mistake that gentleman for your brother
| Fred"
! l was ready for some fun in m o,nent.
| Tell you what I'll do, Dora, | broke
out. eagerly. ,, " You know that l haven't
seen Fred since went to school three years
ago; and of course he's changed great
deal since then. Well, if that literary gen
tieman with the brown eyes he is nand-
handsome. isn't he Dora y should get off
the cars at our depot, I'll wait till he gets
mixel NO with the crowd. see him sudden
y. as if for the first time, rush up to him
in xlutter Of delight. call him brother
Fred. and give him such another kissing as
| he hasn'r had since he saw his sweethear,
last"
Yes, would. if 1 were you." said
Dora, sarcastically. "You daren't, you
know"
Don't 1 dare to. though Wait AID
see y
And SO l dropp,d back into the cushion
and kept silence till the train stopped at
our station.
| Dora gave me a wicked look, and whis-
pereh that she knew my courage would fail
me; for the gentleman was really getting
off,
was not to be triumphed over. though
and so. As we stepped out on the platform.
saw the literary gentleman standing
amidst the crowd. and with a little bound,
threw myself into his arms and kissed him
full in the Mouth, Historically. saying:
Frel. my dear. brother how a,e
you?"
caught glimpse of Dora-she was in
danger of going into convul>ions. [ ex-
pec'ed to hear the stranger confuscdly say
that there was some mistake; but, to my
surprise. he gave me a hearty embrace
kissed me two or three times-said he was
well-that hal grown great deal and
then inquired for my little friend Dora
who, all the time was exciting the sympa-
thies of the crowd. as they supposed she
| was insane. judging from her frantic laugh.
ter.
:. Father and mother are expecting you.
Nellie, and are SO impatient they can hardly
wait to see Won. was afraid you woulln't
know me; but am really glad that nv
image has been treasured up SO carefully in
my little sisters heart"
was bewildcred beyond measure. II
really was Fred. then: and hal no,
known him. Ifelt slightly ridiculous. and
while introducing Dora to my brother,
whispered to her to keep quiet in reference
to my intenlea trick. was too much con-
fused to think of irquiring how he came to
be in the cars without seeing me : so we
all went to the ca,rigge that was waiting for
US. and rapidly drove home.
| bad never known Fred to BE- so affsc.
tionate. He held my hand in his own all
the time. and kissed me at unnecessarily
short Intervals; but. to tell the truth. I had
never loved him half SO we'll before-nevs.
! thought him half so handsome.
j We reached the gate. Mother kissed me
and cried over mo all 1t once Father re-
Ipesssd it; and finally frank. hearty voice
broke out with
Halo. sis aren't Jon going to notice
your scapegrace Of brother st all 90