Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-01-17

suit of our plot with our heads out OF the
window. After waiting one or two min
utes, we noticed figure gesticulatng at
the station window. The train then pass
ed into deep cutting, and we lost sight
of it,
think that I have forgotten to say that
| was going to spend the Christmas with a
college friend He had gone down IA few
days before, and had promised to meet me
at C-station.
You may imagine that | was not sorry
to find myself arrived there, nor ye. to see
my friend Tom stamping his feet on the
platform, no doubt thoroughly tired Of
waiting for the train. AS he drove me up
he began talking of the different arrange
mcnts he had made for our mutual amuse-
ment "To-morrow, he said. I've set
aside for skating party; | have had
the pond in the park swept, and invited
les jeanes demoise1lse within reach, and as
they have all accepted, it will give you a
very fair idea of our 'native beauty"
Now, of all jolly things in the world, [
think skating party is the iollicst. Tom
ing off ; but deny that this has anything
to do with it. In the first place, the fros-
ty weather (and the mulled claret) induce
high spirits then there are the tumbles
to laugh at, ami the ladies SIX ates to strap
on (wnicll last, in my own mind, is not
the least pleasant part of the entertain
menD.
We had by this time reached the house,
and, after having accomplished our toilets
Tom took NE into the drawing-roonl.
The guv'nor inst at homo hut let me
introduce you to my sister Minnie"
Miss Minnie rose, and held out her
hand at once, but for my own part, |
was too dumfoundcd to utter single word
| am told that | am far from eloquent
when describing finale beauty, as | will
not attempt it here; but must sag that |
had never, and have never STAGE, seen such
pretty and merry face. When dinnel
was announced, however, [ had recovered
my cquanlmity sufficiently to offer her my
arm, and aftera short time we got to know
one another thoroughly.
The dinner (perhaps it may have been
the port wine) had opened my heart, and
when we removed to Toms sanctum to
smoke (where, blythe. by, Miss Minnie in
sisted on joining US, saying that she liked
the smell of tobacco, anC found it so dull
by herself), began to relate my adven-
lures with the old gentleman.
Peal after peal of laughter arose as |
proceeded with my narrative. [ warmed
with my subject, quite outdoing myself in
the description of the old gentleman's an
cry face and his irate behavior.
Here" [ said, in triumph, sis my
trophy "'and [ held out the nightcap
Never shall | forget that moment
brother and sister stared ut it for one sec
ond, and then Tom, looking vacantly at
me, Immediately went into all hystcrical fit
of laughter. His face began to grow quite
black, and the tears rolled down his
checks.
! My face presented anything buta laugh
ing appearance, Cor was struck with a.
mazement at this behavior At last, with
what little breath he had left, he managed
to get cut the words
'It's-the-gov- or's-nigh t-cap"
AS be said this he pointed to- small la
bill inside the cap, which ! had not noticed
before, and there, sure enough, w-re the
words
T. Grumblethorp, Esq.,,
G:umblethrop Hall.
Reader, have YOU ever wished the earth
to open and swallow you up? How heartily
did [ wish it at that moment. | saw the
whole affair at glance; i had been play
/ ing :. practical joke upon the gentleman in
whose house | was sitting, and had been
describing him in most Il ridiculou slight to
his daughter; how hated Tom for laugh
ing (his sister was nearly as bad, blythe
Way, whist sat turning alternately red
and pale, considering what on earth was to
be done At this moment Il servant en-
tered the room.
"A telegram for Miss Grumhlethorp."
! She hastily looked over it, and then
read it aloud to us
Shall come by the $50 tomorrow
morning, some young jaekanapes have
played practical Joke, and caused me to
miss the last tain tonight "
! At last [ found words. ''Tom,"
said, Il must fly. Miss Grumblothorp, |
cannot sufficiently apologize TO you fol-
'Oh, you need not apologize to me, nor
must you so either. Tom, you must de-
wise some escape out Of the dilemma.
1T would certainly never Go Tor the
governor to recognize you; he'd never
forgive YOU, and could cut me off with a
shilling. Oh. [ have it sentence you.
i'll punishment, to cut off those whskers
and moustache-h never know you
then"
Never !" [ said, with determination.
s'Im not vain man, but | will never vo-
UNFAIRLY make fright of myself"
''Oh! Pm sure you'd look much better
without them," sal! Miss Grumbiethorp;
''besides. remember the skating party to-
morrow; | want you to teach me so much.
You really must not go"
/ | was not proof against this. The ado