Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-07-27
BY LAURA J. AFTER.

Dora and | had been silent fully ff-
teen minutcs-an unusual occurrence
for us-when she suddenly broke ont
with one of her gayest, sweetest peals
of laughter. The cars were going at
the rate Of forty miles an. hour, but
Dora's laugh rang out above all their
noise and confusion.
"What is it, Dora, you witch you?'
| said, half piqued that she had not
first told me what pleased her, and
laughed afterward.
'Nothing, Nell, only | was just
thinking of something funny. Do you
see that gentleman just N front Of rs,
with the beautiful black whiSlerS and
dreamy brown eyes? Well, he's been
watching you behind that book for the
last half hour, looking as if he should
love to take u bit of the red roses on
your cheeks. Don't blush, but he's in
love with YOU'LL bet my gold thin
bic on it. / was just thinking of some
Of the stories | have read about young
ladies installing handsome fellows for
their brothers, etc, and thought what
fun it would be if you could only man
age to mistake that gentleman for your
brother Fred"
/ was ready for fun in a moment.
"rell you what III do, Dora" I
broke out eagerly. ''You know |
haven't seen Fred since | went to
school, three years ago and OF course
he's changed q great deal since then.
Well, if that literary gentleman with
the brown eyes (he is handsome, isn't
he, Dora p should get off the cars at
our depot, Pll wait till he gets mixed
up with the crowd, see him suddenly,
Us if for the first time, rush up to him
in futter Of delight, call him brother
Fred, and give him such another kiss
ing as he hasn't had since be saw his
sweetheart last"
eyes, / would, if were you,'' said
Dora, sarcasticalIy. "You daren't,
you know"
'sDon't l dare to, though? Wait
and see."
And SO dropped back into the
cushion i'll silence, till the train stopped
at our station.
Dora gave me wicked look, and
whispered 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 gentle
man 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 brother, how are
you
| caught glimpse of Dora-she was
III danger Of going into convulsions. |
expected to hear the stranger confus-
eddy say that there was some mistake :;
bnt, to my surprise, he gave me hearty
embrace-kissed me two or three times
said he was well-that [ had grown
a great deal !; and then inquired for my
little friend Dora-who, all this time,
exciting the sympathies of the crowd,
rs they supposed she was insane, iudg-
ing from her frantic laughter
''father and mother are expecting
you Nellie, and are so impatient they
can scarcely wait to see you. | was
afraid you wouldn't know me; but | am
really glad that my image has been
treasured up SO carefully in my little
sisters heart"
| was bewildercd beyond measure.
1t really was Fred, then, and uad not
known him. ] felt slightly ridiculous,
and while introducing Dora to my
brother, whispered to her to keep quiet
in reference 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 US,
and rapidly drove home.
I had never known Fred to be SO af-
fectionate. He held my hand in his
own all the time, and kissed me at uu-
necessary short intervals; but to tell
the truth, had never loved him halt
so well before-never thought him half
SO handsome.
We reached the gate. Mother kiss
ed me and cried over me all at once
father repeated it; and finally frank,
hearty voice broke out with,
'sHallo, sis aren't You going to no.
tice your scapegrace ola brother at
allr'
And, to my establishment, hand
some felew had not seen before cave
me genuine hug, and kiss that YOU
could have heard across the yard.
ssThere is some mistake murnur
ed. ''ATe you. my brother Fred? I
thought that gentleman was,7 pointing
to the handsome fellow I had embraced
at the depot.
"Why, sis, are you going crazy? OF
course I'm your brother, aud that fell