Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-02-23

or two minutes. we noticed figure ges-
ticulating at the station window The
train then passed into "A deep cutting,
and we lost sight OF it.
/ think that have forgotten to say
that | was going to spend Christmas
with college friend. He ad gone
down a few days before, and bad prom
ised to meet me at c. st. tiun.
You may imagine that | was not sor-
ry to find myself arrived there, Dor yet
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 arrangements he had made for
our mutual amusement. ITO morrow y
he said, I've set aside for a skating
party; / have had the pond in the park
swept, and invited les jeuneS demojselLeS
within reach, and as they have all ac-
ceptcd, it will give you Il very fair idea
of our native beauty"
. Now, Of all jolly things in the world,
| think a skating party is the jolliest.
Tom says that am fond Of showing off
my skating; but | deny that this has
anything to do with it In the first place
the frosty weather (and the muled
clareD induce high spirits; then t-,ere
are the tumbles to laugh at, and the la
dies skates to strap on (Which last, in
my own mind, is not the least pleasant
part OF the entertainment
We had by this time reached the
house, and, after having accomplished
our toilets, Tom took me into the draw
ing 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 |
was too dumb-founded to utter a single
word. I am told that | am far from
eloquent when describing female beauty
SO [ will not attempt it here; but [
must say that | had never, and have
never since, seen such pretty and
merry face. When dinner was announc-
ed, however, l had recovered my equa-
nimity sufficiently to offer her my arm,
and after Il 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 sane
tum to smoke, (where, blythe by, Miss
Minnie insisted on joining US, saying
that she like, the smell OF tobacco, and
found it SO dull by herself,') | began
to relate ny adventures with the old
gentleman
Peal after peal of laughter arose as I
proceeded with my narrative l warmed
with my subject, quite outdoing unysel!
in the description Of the old gentleman $
angry face and his irate behavior
Here | said in triumph, sis my
trophy" and | held out the nightcap
Never shall / forget the moment
brother al sister stared at it for one
second. and then Tom looking vacantly
at NE, Immediately went iuto hysteri-
cal fit of laughter. His face began to
grow quite black, and the tears rolled
down bis cheeks
Ny face presented anything but
laughing appearance, for | was struck
with amazetnent at his behavior, at
last, with what little breath he had left,
he managed TO get out the words
Neutrality-suspicious. s-nie htcap."
As he said this he pointed to small
label inside the cap which had not no
ticed before, and there, sure enough,
were the words
IT. Grumblethorp, Esq,
"Grumblethorp HAIL.
| 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 had
been playing practical joke upon the
gentleman in whose house was sitting
and had been describing him in the
most ridiculous light to his daughter.
How | hated Tom fer laughing (his
sister was nearly as bad, by the way,)
whilst I sat turning alternately red and
pale, considering what was to be done.
At this moment servant entered the
room.
"a telegram for Miss Grumbiethorp
She hastily looked over it aud then
read it aloud to us:
"Shall come by the $3.50 tomorrow.
Some young jackapapes have played a
practical joke, and caused me to miss
the last train tonight"
! At last I found words. "Tom," l
said, 81 must fly. Miss Grumblethorp,
| cannot sufficiently apologize to you
| for
':Oh, you need not apologize to me,
Dor must you 60 either. Tom you must
devise sonle escape out Of the dilemma "
at would certainly never do for the
governor to recognize you; he'd never
forgive you, and would cut me off with
shilling Oh, | have i'll sentence
you, in punishment, to cut off those
whiskers aud moustache never
know you them
"Never ~ | said, with determina-
ton. 81 m not a vain man, but | will
never voluntarily make a fright Of my
self.n
"Oh, I'm sure you'd look much bet
ter without the,n,' said Miss Grunble-
thorp; "besides, remember the skating
party tomorrow; | want you to teach
me SO much You really must not
GO"
l was not proof against this Ihs
adorable Miss Minnie actually wishing
ma 70 Stnul min | recnllected that |