Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-02-14

Al =
! said. "Ifthey undo those screws I'm one
Tor even five minutes, I'lleat them.O
| We jumped into carriage, the guard
gave the final whistle, and the trajr
moves slowly on. We anxiously watch
tne result OF our plot, with our heads on,
of the window. After waiting one or two
minutes, we noticed large figure pestie.
uiating at the station window. The train
then passed into deep cutting, and we
lost sight oft.
think that I have forgotten TO say
that was going to spend the Christmas
with college friend. He had gone down
lew days before, and had promised 10
meet me at c. station. ~
You may imagine that was not sorry
to find myself arrived there, nor vet to see
my friend Tom stamping his feet ON
the platform, no doubt thoroughly tired
ofwaiting for the train. As he drove me
up he began talking of the different ar
rangements he had made for our mutual
amusement. Tomorrow he said.
I've set aside for skating party; have
had the pond In the park swept, and in
vited all les jeusses den1OiselIes within
reach, and as they have all accepted, it
Hna, VIII give you fair idea of our "native
Now, of all the Jolly things in the
world, think a skating party is the iol-
liest. Tom says that / am fond of show
ing my skating off; but deny that this
has anything to do with it. In the first
place, the frosty weather land the null
ed claret) induce high spirits then
there are the tumbles to laugh at, and
the ladies' skates to strap on (which last
in my own mind, is not the least pleas
ant part of the entertainment.)
We had by this time reached the house,
and, after having accomplished our toi-
lets Tom took me into the drawing-room.
The guv'nor isn't at home; but let me
Introduce you to my sister Minnie"
MISS Minnie rose, and held out her
hand at once, but, for my own part. 7
was too d0mfounded to utter a single
word. am told that am far from ell
oquent when describing female beauty,
SO will not attempt it here; but 1 must
say that had never, and have never
since, seen such pretty and merry face.
When dinner was announced, however.
L had recovered my equanimity suffi-
GENTLY to offer her my arm, and after a
short time we got to know one another
thoroughly.
The dinner (perhaps it may have been
the port wine) had opened my heart, and
smoke (where, by-the-by, Miss Minnie
insisted on joining us, saying she liked
the smell of tobacco and found it 30 dull
by herself;''( l began to relate my adven-
lures with the old gentleman.
Peal after peal of laughter arose as I
proceeded with my narrative. warmed
with my subject, quite outdoing myself
in the description of the old gentleman's
angry face and his irate behavior.
"Herep / said, in triumph, sis my
trophy" and held out the nightcap.
Never shall forget that moment
brother and sister stared at it one second,
and then Tom. looking vacantly at me,
Immediately went into an hysferical lit
of laughter. His face began to grow
quite black, and the tears rolled down
his checks.
My face presented anything but
laughing appearance, for was struck
with amazement at this behavior. At
last, with what little breath he had left,
he managed to get out the words
e-guv-nor's-nig
AS he said this he pointed to q small
label inside the cap, which had not no.
ticed before, and there, sure enough,
were the words
r. Gr,sn,blethorp, Esq,
GrunblethOrp 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 a glance;-
had been playing practical joke upon
the gentleman in whose house was sit
ting, and had been describing him in the
most ridiculous light to his daughter
How hated Tom for laughing (his sister
was nearly as bad, by-the-way, whilst 1 |
sat turning alternately red and pale, con-
sidering what on earth was to be DONE
AT this moment servant entered the |
room.
IA telegram for Miss Grumblethorp." |
She hastily looked over it, and then |
read it aloud to U.S.
"Shall come by the $50 tomorrow
morning. Some young jackanapes have
played practical joke, and caused me to
miss the last train tonight"
At last found words "Tom," )" said,
II must fly. Miss Grumblethorp, can
"Oh! you need not apologize to me, nor
must you go either. Tom, you must de-
wise some escape out of the dilemma"
ut would certainly never do for the
governor to recognize you; he'd never
Orgive you, and would cut me off with a
'hilling. Oh! / have It'll sentence you,
n punishment, to cut off those whiskers
md moustache-he'll never know you
hen."
Never, said, with determinations
I'm not a vain man, but will never
make fright of myselfn
''0h! sure you would look much better
without them," said Mis- Grumblethorp;
besides, remember the skating party to-
aOrrow; 1 want you to teach me SO much.
You really must not CO."
/ was not proof against this. The
dorable Miss Minnie actually wishing
ne to stay! Again recollected that /
ad no other invitation for Christmas,
nd all my family were spending the
inter abroad. Under these circumstan- ,
es determined to risk all, and stay
here was sure to enjoy myself. &
Next morning I rose early, had {
clean shave" and borrowed pair of !
ght blue spectacles. When met Miss !
on my way to breakfast :
ne declared the disguise was capital, tell !
lg me at the same time, that her father :
ad arrived, and was in the breakfast Y
,om. was formally introduced, and
Y the way that he received me 1t was :
vident he had not recognized me In the 7
asst.
always glad to see TOMS friends,n
i'd the boy, in quite a cheerful tone.- !
Thank goodness he doesn't choose for !
such puppies as those who q
suited me yesterday. i wonder wheth- !,
nan ~ 1ar x,.., -, :.