The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-05-27
Caught i'm my Own Trap.

miles an hour, but Dora's laugh rang out
above all their noise and confusion.
What is it, Dora, you witch, you p
l said, -piqued that she had not first
told me what pleased her, and laughed
afterwards
Nothing. Nell; only | was thinking
of something SO funny. Do you see that
gentleman just in front of US, with the
beautiful black whiskers and dreamy
brown eyes? Well, he's been watching
YOU behind that book the last half hour,
looking as if he should love to take bite
frem the red roses on your cheeks. Don't
blush; for he's in love with you'll bet,
my gold thimble on it. | was just think
ing of some of the stories | have read,
about young ladies mistaking handsome
fellows for their brothers, etc. and thought
what fun it would be, if you could only
manage to mistake that gentleman for
your brother Fred"
| was ready for some fun in moment.
Tell you what III do, Dora" | broke
out, 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
gentleman with the brown eyes Che IS
handsome, isn't he, Dora p should get off
the cars at our depot, III wait till he gets
mixed up with the crowd 4; see him sud
denly, as if for the first time, rush up to
him in a futter of delight, call HIN
brother Fred, and give him such another
kissing as he hasn't had since he saw his
sweetheart last"
"Yes, I would, if | were you" said
Dora, sarcastically. You darent, you
know"
Don't l dars to, though? Wait and
see! !'
Aud SO l dropped back into the cush-
Ion and silence, till the train stopped at
our station.
Dora gave me wicked look, and whis.
pered that she knew my courage would
fail me; for the gentleman was really
getting of.
| was no. to be iriumphed over, though;
and so, as We stepped out on the platform
saw the crowd, and with little bound,
threw myself into his arms and kissed
him full in the mouth, hys;erically say
ing:
Fired, my dear, dear brother! how al e
you ?"
| caught glimpse of Dora-She was
in danger of going inro commissions. |
expected to hear the stranger confusedly
say that there was some mistake; but, to
my surprise, he gave me hearty em-
brace-kissed me two or three times
said hewas well-that had grown deal;
and then inquired for my little friend,
DOra-who, all this time, was exciting
the sympathies of the crowd, as they sup.
posed she was insane, Judging 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 NE; 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; aud | had not
known him. | felt slightly ridiculous,
and while Introducing d ra to my broth
er, whispered to her to keep quiet in ref
erence to my intended trick. | was too
much confused to think of inqulring how
he came to be in the cars without seeing
NE; SO we all went to the carriage that
was waiting for us, and rapidly drove
home.
| had never known Fred to be so affec-
tionate He held my hand in his own
all the time, aud kissed me at unnecessa-
rily short intervals but, TO tell the truth,
l had never loved him half go well before
-nevsr thought him half so handsome.
We reached the gate Mother kissed
me and cried over me all at once father
it; and finally, q frank, hearty
voice broke oct with:
"Hallo, sis !. aren't you going TO notice
your scapegrace of brother at all ?"
And to my as'onishwent. q handsome
tello" L mad not seen before gave me a
genuine hug, and kiss you could have
heard across the yard
"Ihere is some mistake" murmured.
care yoW my brother Fred? | thought
that gentleman was" pointing to the
handsome iellew l had embraced at toe
depot.
"Why, sis, are you going crazy7 of
course Pm your brother, and that fellow
there is my college chum, Archie Win
ters, 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? | didn't
have time to 90, and let him take your
picture with him, so that he would be
sure to know you. He's been playing off
some of his mad pranks. and passing him.