Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-03-05

said "Ifthey undo those screws in one Or
even 6ve mir utes, I'll eat them"
We jumped into carriage, the guard gave
the final whistle, and the train moved slowly
on. We anxiously watched the result Of
our plot, with our heads out OF the window.
After waiting one or two minutes We noticed
figure gesticula,ing at the station window.
The train then passed into . deep cutting,
and we lost sight Of it.
think have forgotten " say 'hafl was
going to spend the Christmas with col
lege friend. He had gone down few days
before, and had promised to meet me ct c.
station.
You may imagine I was not sorry to
6nd myself arrived there, nor yet to see my
friend Tom stamping his feet on the plat
form, no doubt thoroughly tired Of waiting
for the train. As he drove me up, be be-
gan talking Of the dif!eren. arrangements
be had made for our mutual amusement.
Tomorrow" be said, II have set aside
for skating party; have had the pond in
the park swept, and have invited les jeunes
demoiselies within reach, and as they have
8
idea Of our native beauty
Now, Of all the jolly things in the world,
think a skating party is the jolliest. Tom
says that am fond Of showing my skating
off; but deny that this had anything to do
with it. In the first plac e, the frosty wealth
er (and mulled clare., induced high spirits,
then there are tumbles to laugh at. and the
ladies' skates to strap on, (which last, in nv
own mind, is not the least pleasant part Of
the entertainment.
We had by this time reached the house,
and, having accomplished our toilettes, Tom
took me into the draving.room.
The Gov'nor is not a. home bat let me
introduce you TO my sister Minnie"
Miss Minnie rose, and held out her hand
at once, bat, for nv own part, was 700
dumbfounded to utter a single word. am
told that an far from eloquent when de-
scribing female beauty, so will not attempt
it here but must say l had never, and
have never since, seen such pretty and
merry face. When dinner was announced,
however, l had recovered my equanimity
sufficiently to offer her ny arm, and after
short time we got TO know each other thor
oughly.
The dinner perhaps il may have been
the port wine) had opened my heart, and
when We removed 10 Toms sancium to
smoke (where. BY the By, Miss Minnie in
sisted on joining us, saying that she " liked
the smell Of tobacco, and fou-d il dull by
herself,'l began to relate my adventures
with the old gentleman.
Peal after peal Of laughter arose as
proceeded with my rarrative. I warmed
with my subject, quite outdoing myself in
the description Of the old g-ntleDan's an
gry face and irate behavior.
Here" said in triumph, " is my tro-
ply! /" and held out the night-cap.
Never shall forget that moment
brother and sister stared at it for one Sec
ond, and then Tom looking vacantly at me,
Immediately went of into . hys.erical ct Of
laughter. His face began to grow quite
black, and the tears rolled down bis cheeks.
Ny face presented anything but q laugh-
ing appearance. for I vas struck with
amszement q. this behavior. At last, with
to get out the words
It's--the-eov-nor's- r's-night-capl"
As he said this be pointed to . small 10.
bel inside the cap, which had not noticed
before, and there sure enough we're the
| words
7. GRrxBLErHoRP, ESQ.,,
Grnmble,horp Hall.
Reader, have you ever wished the earth
to open and swallow you up? How hearth
" did wish it ct that momeat l saw the
whole affair at . glance had been play
ing practical joke upon the gentleman in
whose house WAS sitting, and had been de-
scribing him in the most ridiculous light to
b 8 daughter. How hated Tom for laue hing
this sister was nearly as bal. By the way.)
whilst sat turning alternately red and pale.
considering what on ca. th was & te done.
At this moment . servant entered the
room.
"A telegram for Grumblethrop'
She hastily looked il over and then read
It aloud to US:
"Shall come BY tie $50 train to-monow.
morning. Some young jackanapes have
played practical joke, and caused me to
miss the last train tonight
AT last found words. Tom," said.
~ must fly. Miss Grum bletLorp. l cannot
sufficiently apologize to you for
"Oh you need not apologize to me. nor
must you 60 either. Tom. you mus: devise
some escape out of this dilemma"
1t would certainly never do for the
Governor to recognize you; he'd certainly
never forgive you, and would cut me off
without shilling. Oh! I have it sem
,encs YOU in punishment to Gu, of those
whiskers and moustache-he'd never know
you them"
"Never," I said with determination.
I'm not vain man. but will never vol.
UNFAIRLY make fright Of myself
"Oh, I'm sure you'd look much better
vithou. ,hrm.' said Mis- Grumble;horp:
"besides remember the skating party to.
morrow, ] want you to teach me 50 much.
You really must not CO."
was not proof against this. The adora.
bic Miss Minnie actually wishing me to
stay. Again, recol ected that had no
other invitation for Christmas, and all my
family were spending the winter abros d.
Under these circumstances, I determined TO
risk all, and stay where ! was sure to enjoy
myself.
Next morning rose early. had "clean
shave" and borrowed pair Of light blu.
spectacles. When I met Miss Grumble.
thorp on my way to beskfast, she declared
the disguise was capital telling me at the
same time, that her father had arrived. and
was in the breakfast room. I was formal.
" introduced. and by the way he received
me- it was evident be had not recognized me
in the least.
"Always glad TO see Toms friends" said
the old boy in quiet and cheerful tome
"Thank goodness he doesn't choose for his
companions such puppies as those who in
snl,ed me yesterday. wonder whether
they consider then selves gentlemen p
In this strain he continued 70 talk all
breakfast time, Wills, answered with per-
feet gravity, not darirg to look at Minnie,
for l felt sure she was enjoying the Joke.
Ny story Is nearly over. eejoved the
skating party thoroughly, for spen. most
of the dav in teaching Minnie. also ac>
ccmpanied Ter 70 a ball, where found she
could move much more quickly and grace.
fully than ON thu ice.
! am now married; and though have
since grown my whskers, vet nv father-n.
Law has never suspected that was ',he
Young jackanapes that made i'm late Tor
the train,' he has never mentioned the
burEt. cork busineSs and has Alwavs been