Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1867-05-15

neishbor; and " sleeping alone gave
him the rheumatism.
. Yes, > growIed Grant. who was
feeling in anything but an enviable
mood, Il suppose 50.
After many grunts and much puff.
ing the old gentleman got into bed
! and five minutes after was sound asleen.
1t was long time before Grant
slept. but at length he fell into doze.
Meanwhile, at the top Of the hill,
back Of the house, two girls were
standing with {, light hand-sled be-
tween them. debating the manner in
which boys generally slide down Hill
successfully.
The hill was a long and steep one.
and came down almost against the
back of the house, terminating only
| two or three feet from it in a sharp
| bank. The snow had drifted in be.
tween this bank and the house. filing
itup to the windows. thus bringing
the bill in reality squarely against
the house. I'm afraid, said Sarah.
eyeing the sled with many doubts as
to her capacity for guiding thing so
fearfully and wonderfully made.
" am not. answered Svbil. reso-
lutely. " 50, I'll ride first. Won't
it be glorious fun? I'll come back
with the sled right away. Sarah, and
then you can try your lck"
Thereupon she proceeded to seat
herself upon the vehicle, and get
ready for the full enjoyment of the
/ trip. Sarah, who held the sled while
her companion was arranging her
dress and seating herself securely. pro-
ceeded to give her few parting IN
structions. Steer to the left. and
you will go clear by the house and the
whole length of the garden. Be care.
full, now, and don't tip over.
. \ es, | will. I'm ready now. and
you may let 60" And SybIl clutched
nervously It the mysterious apparatus
by which the sled was to be stcered
Away she went. swift as the wind.
down. down; the sled vecring from
one side to another. as she turned the
steering whatever they
might have bcen-frst this way and
then that, uncertain which way to
take, and hardly knowing, in her be-
wllderment and uncertainty. which
way was left and which right
On she went; and she saw that size
was nearing the house She gave a
turn to the steering works, expecting
to see the sled glide bv the house. and
against the garden fence, but Fate or
dalned otherwise and, to her great
horror, she saw she was going plump
against the house. and perhaps one of
the windows would he the spot where
she would strike. y quick thought
Of the surprise and confusion that the
heavy sound. caused by the conclusion
of her sled against the house. would
create among those inside, flashed
through her mind but she was pow
/ erless to prevent the catastrophe-
The house was only few feet away :
ana, IN moment, plump went her sled
/ square against a window. and in swung
/ the sash. And Svbil made very i'm
/ posing. if not dieniied, entry into
/ somebody's room, sled and all, the We
| locity Of her descent carving the We
hicle to the other side of the room,
where she . brought up with crash
| like the sound Of battering- ram,
causing a musical iangling among the
/ ornaments on the nantle-shelf
II was Just after Grant had dropped
/ into the doze, of which | have spoken,
/ when he was suddenly awakened bY
1 the noise Of something that sounded
( like the breaking of the window sash,
and reused up in time to see some one
/ coming through the window in sort
Of flying bound, and alight with n
| crash IN the center Of the room, final
/ y ending the strange journey against
/ the side of the room,
4" What in thunder = exclaimed the
/ young man" faint Santa Claus. Is
itI' he inquired rubbing his eyes wide
open.
The moon shone in through the win.
dow, plain; and when his vision clear
| ed he saw that his strange visitor was
none other than Sybil Leith.
Why, Svbil. is that vou2" he in
quired, hardly realizing the real state
I Of the case.
Don't! don't say anything! plead
cd Sybil. 4 couldn't help tin
/ deed. l couldn't !"
" | won't mention it to any ono. if
( you'll say yes to question ] want
/ 20 ask you," said Grant from his po-
sition under the bed clothes.
/ 4" Oh! please don't wait till anoth-
er time. ! can't answer your ques-
/ tIon now, said Sybil. longing for the