Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-07-04

make some sport.
Stepping out of my place, I proceed
ed to tie caps, cloaks, and shawls together
in string, at the end of which I attached
the hats and bonncts without number.
intended to sprinkle Cayenne pepper over
the whole. and give the girls sneeze to
do this, must go to the kitchen after the
pepper.
| Noiselessly [ stole out Of the room into
the kitchen, found the Cayenne bottle, and
was just on the point retracing my steps,
when [ heard the whole troop of girls
coming, pellmell as though the Old Harry
was after them.
What was [ to do under the existing
circumstances It wouldn't do for me to
stand still and be in that position. It GER
tainly wouldn't be policy to rush out of the
back door, and thereby excite the girls
suspicious.
looked grounded in dismay, when sud-
denly my eyes fell upon the new swill-
barrel Fanny's mother had got that day,
and which had been left standing in one
corner of the kitchen until proper place
could be found for it. It was perfectly
clean, and would have been fit to hold
-four. It had cover on it, with an open
ing spout ten inches in diameter
Quicker than wink, [ was in the bar
rel aud out of sight the girls who came in
the kitchen laughing and talking as though
they were having the best of times.
They evidently were going to stew some
oysters, and |, 0 Laws would have to re-
main prisoner until such time as they
concluded to leave Well, it could not be
helped, SO [ settled myself as best I could,
fully resolved to stick to the barrel as
long it afforded me shelter.
To work they went. The oysters soon
out of the shells and Fanny, brushing the
shells in a pan, approached the barrel.
Good Heavens! She was going to empty
them on my head. Uh down came show
er of shells with such force as to nearly stun
me, and Fanny, with laugh, cried:
''Girls, I've christened the swill- barrel"
at which droll saying the girls all giggled.
"Well, thought [, many things might
be worse and the girls may not have oc-
casion to use the swill-bar again.
But hardly had the thought passed
through my brain, than splash, down came
promiscuous mess Of potato Feelings,
bread, and cabbage leaves. This display of
hospitality was accompanied with hearty
laugh from the girls, and I heard Fanny
remark that she was making good food for
hogs.
Il wonder why Frank don't make his
appearance heard Bertha say.
Don't know" said Fanny, s'unless he
is enjoying himself better elsewhere"
which remark elicted another laugh from
the girls.
enjoying himself better elsewhere"
thought [ with groan. ugh, very
much indeed, Miss Fanny. and [ hope at
some future time to give you taste of the
pleasure am enjoying"
"Nellie," I heard Fanny say" oysters
cannot live without water and immedi
ately a large painful Of dish-water was
preeipitated on me, completely running my
new coat, which | had purchased only tie
day Before, and making me feel more like
drowned rat than human being.
heard a hearty laugh from the girls,
and the suspicious flashing across my mind
that they were aware of my presence, I
was in the act Of jumping from the barrel,
when oh, down came a handful of -four,
completely binding me for moment
In an instant | was out of the barrel and in
the midst Of laughing group of girls.
"Hamlet's ghost. p cried Fanny
Then loud laugh from the girls. I
~
door, [ was met full in the face by a basin
of water and an 'excuse me, SIR" by
Bertha, while a soft ball Of dough struck
me on the back Of my neck, nearly knock
ing me senseless.
rushed from the house and down
back street, half dozen dogs following,
yelling at the top Of their voices [ dis
cended them ALL. and soon found myself in
a room Of my friend, Harry Wilson, faint
ing for breath.
Good Lord, cried Harry p what have
you been doing to get yourself in such a
plight ?-Rolling in the gutter ?'
"Ho, no, Harry! p replied, s'give me
a suit of your clothes and basin of water,
and I will tell you all the particulars, pro-
viding you promise secrecy"
While renovating myself, I related to
Harry my adventure, and I thought he
would kill himself laughing. After [ had
concluded he slapped me on the shoulder
and said ::
''The best joke Of the season, Frank"
81 don't see it in that light [ replied.
remained with Harry that night, and
the next morning went back to Uncle
Johns.
The first person [ met was Fanny, who
burst into fit oflaughter on seeing me-
| tried to be angry but couldn't, and as |
took her profered hand, [ said:
"a truce to all practical jokes, Fanny"
with all my heart" she replied; and
you may depend upon it, never after
ward tried to joke with my Cousin