Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-02-22
CAUGHT IN MY OWN TRAP.

I bUTd dUu Idu Sll6uC 1ullN
minutes-an unusual occurrence for US
when she Suddenly broke out in 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.
wv hat is it Dora, you witch you? L said,
| half piqued that she had not at first told me
what pleased her, and laughed afterwards.
Nothing, Nell, only was just thinking
of something funny. Do you see that gen
tleman just in front of us, with the beati-
full black whiskers 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 bit 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,
| wasjust thinking of some of the stories L
have read about young ladies mistaking
handsome young fellows for their brothers,
ETC., and thought what fun it would De it you
could only manage to mistake that gentle
man for your brother Fred.
| was ready for fun in moment.
'"Tell you what L II 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 gen
tleman with the brown eyes (he is handsome
isn't he, Dora?) should get off at our station,
[ II wait till he gets mixed up with the
crowd, see him suddenly, as for the first
time, rush up to him in a fiutter of delight,
call him brother Fred, and give him such
another kissing as he hasn't had since he saw
his sweetheart last -
eyes, [ would if [ were you" said Do
ra, sarcastically. 'You daren' you know.
Don't dare to, though? Wait and see. Z"
And so | dropped back into the cushion in
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 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 in to his arms, and kissed him full in
the mouth, historically saying,
Fired, my dear brother, how do you do y
[ caught glimpse of Dora-she was in
danger of going into convulsions / Iexpect-
ed to hear the stranger say confusedly that
there was some mistake but, to my surprise,
he gave me hearty embrace-kissed me
two or three times-said that he was@well-
that / had grown great deal; and inquired
for my little friend Dora-who, all this time,
was exciting the sympathies of the crowd,
as they supposed she was insane, Judging
from her frantic laughter.
Father and mother are expecting you
Nellie and are so impatient they can scarce
ly wait to see you. was afraid you would
en't 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 re-
ally was Fred, then, and | had not known
him. felt slightly ridiculous, and while in
Producing Dora to my brother, whispered to
her to keep quiet in referance to my intend
ed trick. | 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 which was waiting for us, and rap
idly drove home.
[ had never known Fred to be so affection
ate. He held my hand in his own all the
time, and kissed me at unnecessary short in-
tervals but to tell the truth, had never
loved him half so we'll before-never thought
him half so handsome.
We reached the gate. Mother kissed me
and cried over me all at once; father repeat
ed it; and finally frank, hearty voice broke
out with.
''Hallo, sisl aren't you agoing to notice
your scapegrace of a brother, at all?
And to my astonishment, handsome fel-
low, / had not seen before, gave us a genu-
heard across the yard.
There is some mistake, [ murmered,
''are you my brother Fred? | thought that
gentleman was, pointing at the handsome
fellow | had embraced at the depot.
''Why, sis, are you going crazy? Of
course IN your brother, and that fellow
there is my college chum, Archie Winters,
who went half way up the line to meet you.
What are you blushing at Nell? There
wasn't t anything wrong in it; was there |
didn't have time to go, and let him take
your picture with him, so that he would be
sure and know you He's been playing off
some of his mad pranks; and passing HIM
self off for me, I'll warrant.
/ looked at Archie Winters beseechingly;
and as they were all going into the house; l
whispered to him:
''For PHYS sake, do not speak of that
mistake. How could it have happened p
'I overheard you in the cars, and will
promise to keep your secret only In one con-
dition
He whispered something to me that made
my face flush scarlet: but was at his mer.
cy, and said / would think of it. | did
think of it, reader and, to the delight of
the whole family-Dora and Fred in partic-
ular. Archie and were married in less than
two months And Dora said to me, as L
bade her goodbye, that it would give un-
speakable delighG to Fred and herself if L
would attend their wedding in month ;
and | did
It is expected that the seven-thirty loan
will all he taken hy the Ist Of April Less |