Litchfield enquirer., 1861-08-08
few more merry words, both sprang up and left

l ACu Aa"iCuCC pddtcu WltH uiS lduy -lOtc Ou lue steps of her mothers dwelling, and with a light heart turned his steps in the direction of his own home. To tell the truth. dear reader Fred was in love with Anne Marston, and it was nc less true that ASne Marston was in love with him. He dreaded the mischievous teazing of his cousin Kate Myrtle, and feared it, too, more than he would have done the displeasure of a king, and the cutting sarcasms of his sister Lu- cy were by no means pleasant. He had de- termined to keep his engagement to Anne un- known to them, if possible, until he felt better prepared to endure their persecution.
 It was but short distance from the widow Marston's to his own home, and he was soon standing before the identical window at which Kate had seen him enter two evenings before. He slowly raised the sash, but ere he had succeeded in getting it to the requsite height, a difficulty occurred. The sash would not move up another inch, and supposing it had struck something ac- cidentally placed there, he renewed his efforts to raise it. Bute to his surprise and consternation, as he pressed harder upon the sash, down fell a brass kettle, several tin pans and the shovel and tongs, upon the floor with ringing crash. loud enough to wake every one in the house. Fred started back, and turned pale.
 How could these things have got there ?'' muttered he, as he listened attentively to ascer- tain if the noise had aroused any one. The sash was now easily raised, and he sprang into the room, but not without kicking against one of the pans in his haste, and sending it across the floor, making considerable noise. Intent up- on reaching his chamber before any one should arise to discover the cause of the uproar, he hastened through the room and quickly opened the door leading to the next one. Unfortunate ly, there chanced to be a couple of chairs pla- ced near it. and as it was hastily thrown open they were upset, and being full of the dishes, spoons, knives, and everything that could be placed on them that would make noise, you suppose, dear reader there was a crashing!
 "The deuce take it P muttered Fred, as he rushed through the room, upsetting chairs, work ing stands, and he knew not what in his flight. He thought that all the furniture in the house must have been placed in that room, and that he must have upset certainly three-fourths of it. At length he reached the stairs leading to his own chamber and was in hopes that his trials were now at an end. As he sprang up two or three steps, when his forehead struck against something which had been hung from the cell ing above. and he sprang back almost stunned by it. Ring C ting ding went the great dinner bell, and the sound echoed throughout the house, making more noise than any thing yet had done. Fred was desperate He rushed up the steps, again striking his delicate forehead against the bell, causing it to ring louder than before. He had nearly reached his chamber door, when he suddenly stopped, and gazed full upon an object that stood before him. There, between himself and the door, stood motion less, silent figure perfectly realizing his idea of that object of rather doubtful existence, in our enlightened days, namely, a ghost. The moon light streamed in upon the floor, and plainly re- | vealed the outlines of the white-robed figure to the distracted gaze of Fred Lawrence. He con- tjuued ooy if it for fuo n;juutpS fhan with an exclamation of fear and terror, dashed down the flight of stairs. Again tine ring of the dinner bell sounded louder than it had yet done, and in another moment the almost dis tracted Fred was leaping Oves the tables and chairs in the next room. with the intention ol making his exit through the window.
 hat is the matter ?'' exclaimed Mrs. Law renee, appearing with a light just as Fred van i ished from the room.
 :" What is the matter??'' cried Lucy Lawrence from the head of the chamber stairs
 "Wlat is the matter?' spoke the supposed ghost, throwing off the white robe, and disclos- ing the face and form of Kate Myrtle.
 | It is almost needless to say, dear reader, that | the girls were at the bottom of it all. They had determined that Fred should be entirely cured of coming in at that window, and also of stay ing so late at the widow Marstons. Kate and Lucy laughed immoderately at their success in frightening Fred Mrs. Lawrence looked grave and the servants, who had all been aroused by the uproar, surprised and astonished. The girls explained all, and their reason for doing it. l In less than an hour, the furniture was repla ced, the bell taken down, and silence once more allowed to reign. But it was two more hours before Fred again ventured to enter the house and then he didn't attempt to by that window.
 The lesson had the effect desired, and Fred afterwards returned from the widow Marston'f before his mother and the girls retired, and in stead of making use of the window, entered properly by the door. And about two weeks af forwards, there was wedding at the widow Marston's, and Miss Anne Marston became Mrs Fred Lawrence. Kate and Lucy explained the cause of that nights adventure, and Fred de clared that he was never more vexed, surprised and frightened all at once, than on the night when the cunning girls had so successfully cured him of staying late from home. Though many years have passed since then, still Fred Law renee has not yet forgotten this incident of his courting days.