Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-08-09
CAUGHT IN Ny OWN TRAP
BY LAURA J. ARTER,

the gayest, sweetest peals of laughter
The cars were going at the rate of forty
miles an hour. but Dora's laugh rung out
above all the noise and confusion.
''What is it. Dora, you witch you ?"I
said, half piqued that she had not first told
me what pleased her, and laughed after
ward.
Nothing, Nelly, only was just think
ing of something SO funny. Do you see
that gentleman in front Of US, with the
beautiful black whiskers and dreamy brown
eyes? Well, he's been watching you from
behind that book for the last half hour.
looking as if he should like to take bite
Of the red roses on your cheeks. Don't
blush but he's in love with you I'll bet
my gold thimble on it. was Just think
ing of some of the stories | have read
about ladies mistaking handsome fellows
for their brothers, ETC., and what fun it
would he. if you could 0; ly manage to
mistake that gentleman for your brother
Fred %
was ready for some fun in a moment.
Tell you what III do, Dora" I broke
in eagerly. ''you know 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.
tleman with the Brown eyes Che is hand
some, isn't he Dora y should get off the
ears at our depot, III wait till be gets
mixed up with the crowd, see him sudden
ly, as for the first time. rush up to him in
futter of delight. call him brother Fred,
and give him another such kissing as be
hasn't had since he saw his sweetheart
last"
Yes, I would, if were you. said Dora
sarcastically. You daren't you know"
Don't I dare though Wait and see !"
And so dropped back into the cushion
and silence, till the train stopped at OR
station.
Dora gave me a wicked look, and wbis-
pored 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 little bound
threw myself into his arms and kissed him
full in the mouth, Historically saying:
Fred, my dear. dear brother! how are
you?"
I caught glimIse of Dora-she was in
danger OF going into convulsons. I ex-
pccted to hear the stranger confusedly say
that there was some mistake: but to my
surprise, he gave me l,ealty Embrace
kissed NE two or three tines-said be was
well-that | bad grown a good deal and
then enquired for my little friend Dora
who, at that time, was exciting the sym
pathies of the crowd, as they supposed
she was insane. judging from the frantic
laughter.
Father AMI mother are expecting you
Nellie, and are so impatient they can
scarce wait to see you. | was afraid you
would not know me but | am really
glad that my image has been treasured up
so carefully in my little sisters heart
| was bewildered beyond measure. 1t
really was Fred, then. and I had not
known him. I felt slightly ri lieu Gus,
and while Introducing Dora to my brother
whispered to her to keep quiet in refer
ence to my intended trick I was too
much confused to think of inquiring how
he came to be in the cars without seeing
me so We all went to the carriage that
was waiting for Is, and rapidly drove home.
| had never known Fred to be SO af-
fectionate. He held my hand in his own
all the time, and kissed me at unnecess-
arily short intervals; but to tell the truth
| had never loved him half SO well before
never thought him half so handsome.
We reached the gate. Mother kissed
and cried over me, all at once; father
repeated it; and finally, frank, hearty
voice broke out with:
"Halloo. sis aren't you going to notice
your scapegrace of brother at all p
And my to astonishment, handsome
fellow | had not seen before gave me
genuine hug. and a kiss that you uld
have heard across the yard.
''There is some mistake I murmured.
care you my brother Fred II thought
that gentleman was;'' pointing to the
handsome fellow I had embraced at the
depot.
Why, sis, are you going crazy? Of
course I'm your brother. and that fellow
there is my callege chum, Archie Winters,
who went half way up the line to meet
you. What are you blushing at. Nell?--.
There wasn't anything wrong in his going
after you, was there? hadn't time to 60.
and SO let him take your picture with blm,
SO that he would be sure to know you
He's been playing off some of bis mad
pranks, and passing himself off for me,
I'll warrant"
I looked at Archie Winters besPeching-
ly, and as they were all going into the
house. l whispered to HIM:
For PHYS sake, don't speak of that
mistake. How could it have happened -
Il overheard you in the ears and will
promise to keep your secret only on one
condition.
He whispered something to NE that made
me flush scarlet but I was at his mercy,
and SAID I would think of it. l did think
of it. reader, and to the delight of the
whole family-Dora and Fred in particular
Archie and | we're married in less than
two months. And Dora said to me when
| bade her COED bye, that it would give
unspeakable delight to Fred and herself,
if I would attend her wedding IN a month
from then-and | did.
- Halo, nv friend. see you are los
ing flesh" (Old gentleman, indignant at