North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-01-20

Dcu w tHe olueL' 1ueio was oh0 'os Shi;
about as broad as she was long, and no way
calculated for physical exertions: : but she
got upon the bed and stood swinging her
arms to and fro, making every indication for
desperate jump. By this time | was out
on the floor, and my place at the curtain
supplied by another spig of mischief He
leaned down and whispered-the fat girl was
going to jump.
"Oh, golly - said he, "if Fan only falls
wont she roll over nice?"
was determined to see this; and Iclimb-
| ing up again, we both occupied the tottering
pile. With one hand over our mouths. and
pinching our noses, to prevent burst Of
laughter, We stood breathless awaiting the
| awful calamity.
''There she goes, by jingo" exclaimed.
She didn't though for her feet just resting
on the round of the bed, she balanced but
| for moment, and fell backwards, head down
and feet in the air, rolling and putting in the
air like porpoise, but displaying no mean
| agility for SO embarrassing situation.
We could bold in no longer, but shook
with laughter. The chair tilted, and down
all came together, with crash like young
peal Of thunder.
"To- bed-To-bed, boys" says I, I" and leave
/ the rest to me.
In Sn instant all was quiet everybody
was in bed and sound asleep, with the excep
ton of myself. 0 such attempts to snore
as might have been hear6-but we were all
used to playing the possum, and now con.
cluded to give the approaching tutor and wife
a sample of somnambulsm.
"Now don't laugh for the world, boys, and
see me do the thing"
raised the table on its legs, and getting
on it, was concluding my speech that had
written and committed to memory, for the
day-and here the trainers of young ideas
e., ter ed, but still Continued
"Friends and fcIlow students: Overwhelm-
ed as am, with sl,atitude for your kind at
teution, cannot refrain from expressing
thanks, yes, warm and heartfelt thanks ;
and to you, dear sir, (this of coul sc meant
the tutor, and at the point is my vacant st@r
ing eyes were upon him. will my heart ever
ycarn. look upon this moment of my life
with pride that swells my Young posom
almost to bursting; and when manhood
shall close my youthful career, and my coun
try shall cali me to her halls Of legislation
there will exercise every truth and virtue
instilled into my heart by your kind and IA
therly tutoring. These boyish years ofjoy |
will yet swell to gushing stream of ambi |
tious gory-aHd then will look back to
these days, and with you uppermost in my !
exclalm. twas you, yes, you, sir
that made me what am
" Bravo! Bravo my boy" they both ex-
Iaimed.
I cot off the table now, seeing had the
.mo nv own hands, and walking slowly
= 70 the v,,1daw, gave myselfup to deep
obbiprs, and rea,l.ly appeared much affected
The tutor approach ed me and called me
oftly by name but ansN cred him not ana
urniug slowly from him walse 10 the oth'
r side of the room, avoiding the rays Oh 'he
amp which the mistress was directing upon
ne.
He is asleep, my DEAR" exclaimed the tu-
or, 4" and it must have been the dragging OF
/. ,ol1o oror Tho Aoor thot na6e sunh q rnr
ling noise. Give me the lamp, and go bring
ne basin of water-I will effect lasting
ure upon our somnambuist."
heard many suppressed filters, and could
ee sundry corners of sheets going into sun
ry mouths. This nearly destroyed my equi.
brium though mastered myself, and again
vent to the window, though the mention of
he basin of water caused momentaIy shud-
Ter TO shoot through my whole frame.
The good dame returned with what | mag
ified into an uncommonly large vessel of wa
er but it was no delusion-for in her haste
he brought the " filterer," and knew Ger.
ainly it was a cold ducking / was to have
Jould I escape it? | would try. | walked
irst to one bed then to another-the tutor
ollowing with the filterer, his wife playing
torch bearer" while the heavy breathing OF
possumng sleepers added to the solemnity Of
he scene. still walked on, turning away
very time he proposed to douse me. They
lad completely cut off the retreat to my own
,ed, and saw at once should have 70 take
t. walked boldly out and placing myself
before him, he upset the contents of the jug
lpon me.
I gasped caught my breath, tottered, and
,layed the frightened boy so well, the decep-
ion was complete. heard merry laugh in
he next room-ny schoolmates on their beds
'ubbed their eyes and enquiring the matter.
Where am II" asked;" what awful
thing has happened? Did l come near