North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-04-25
TUNKHANNOCK PA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1866

the brave. The front door was left aiar
for air, while the family were at breakfast
and Jerry, improving the opportunity stole
mp the stairs to Andy's room, and esconceG
himself into the closet.
Here, the livelong day, he sweltered-
almost dead with the intolerable heat anc
closeness, and suffering severely from
chaos in the region of the stomach. But
the end would pay him for all inconven
ience, he said, by way of consoling him
self; and with what patience he could com.
mand, he waited.
There never was longer day than thai
weary Saturday, and after it be gan to grow
dark, it took much longer than usual to get
sufficiently obscure to be denominated
"candle lighting"
At last the welcome sounds of steps on
the. stairs were heard, and quietly the door
of the chamber was flung open, and in
came the Club in body. Jerry put his
eye to the crack of the closet, and saw the
young gentlemen dispose of the contents of
two or three long necked bottles, and then
light their cigars for consultation. Andy
Stiles broke the silence
~Well, boys, what's up tonight"
cold Jerry Walpole has got some tip
top water melons," said small voice.
"Hurrahp' cried the boys in chorus,
"hurrah for the old stingy trumps, water
melons and all! Well try their flavor,
lads !"
"You will, will you? ?" muttered Jerry
to himself, shaking his fist at the crack
"we'll see about that are |"
"It's near nine o'clock now, and we
might as well be off. Jerry will be abed
by the time. we get there, unless he has
some particular case of investigation ON
hand. And we shall have time enough to
stop in and get Frank Merrit--he's a reg
ular brick"
Out they all went. and locked the cham
bcr door behind them. Here was pretty
fix for Jerry He was under lock and KEY
and his water melons at the mercy of those
unprincipled Take care No. i fellows.
Something decisive must be done at once.
He tried the door. 1t was fast enough
The house, at that portion of it, was three
storied; he should break his head if he
jumped out ofthe window. But Jerry
was fertile in expedients. He had not
been in so many scrapes for nothing. He
must have his melons, or perish in the ef-
fort!
He stripped off his clothes, without a
moments hesetation, and tearing them in
to strips, and tying these together, he soon
had strong rope in his possession. But
he was destitute of covering, and the night
had set in chilly. There was nothing in
the closet where he was, but in the adioin.
ing press he discovered long night gown
hanging against the wall.
This he got into, and then fastening his
rope to staple in the blind, be lifted the
window softly, and got cut. 1t was dark
as Erebus, but Jerry could distinguish the
black surface ofthe ground, and slid toward
it. This rope lacked about six feet of be-
ing long enough to reach terra frma and
there was no time for hesitation. An in
stant's delay might be fatal to those mel
ons Jerry took flying leap, and alight-
ed on the head of Deacon Ray, substan-
e'na SAtiHSh1 VIM was IClUsuIHS
a love-feast. The Deacon was crushed to
the earth! Jerry did not stop to ascertain
the amount of damage done by the COLI
sion--he made his best speed for home
lie reached the melon patch just as the
desperaeoes had begun to select the best
fruit. With a wide yell of triumph he
dashed in among the bewildered plunder-
ers,and at sight of his long white garments
streaming in the wind, they every one
threw down their spoils and fled!
Jerry was victor. The melons were
saved. The whole story transpired in
time; the boys agreed to give Jerry free
membership to their Club if he would not
act against them in the business and
Mrs. Stiles forehore from asking Jerry to
deliver up her night gown which he had
so ungallantly appropriated.