The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-02-15

shall do; you're rather a swell at draw
ing, aren't you? I'll just burn the end
of that beer bottle cork, and you shall
artistically adorn his face"
"That is Splendid" he whispered, as
l finished off with giving him a NOUS
tache, which turned up in a facetious
manner. "Just move that looking glass,
aud put it so that he may admire him
self directly after he wakes; and now
let US be off,
We walked on tiptoe to the door. The
hinges began to creak and cold as the
weather was, faint perspiration began
to develop itself on my forehead, as l
noticed the old gentleman to move in
his chair. 1t was, however, only to turn
his head to the other shoulder, and we
closed the door in safety.
"Give me the screws, quick" said,
land go to the bottom of the stairs and
prevent any one from coming up"
| bored hole after hole as noisclessly
as ! could, and having made the door as
fast rs eight good screws would make il
ran down stairs and whispered "All
right"
as there a gentleman up stairs, sir?''
said the station master, walking toward
us. Gle asked me to wake him in time
for the train, and it is just ready to 60"
"Oh! he won't like to be disturbed
until the last moment, you may be
sure said Jack. "By-the-bye, l wisl,
to talk to you of plan, by which youi
station might be much improved"
Now architecture happened to be one
of the station masters hobbies, and they
were soon deep i'll discussion. beat &
hasty retreat to the guard, and produ'
cling sovereign, said:
"lf you get us of five minutes from
now, waiting for no one, and ring youl
bell at the very last minute, this i,
yours"
"All right, sir! the luggage is all in
and most of the passengers. Take YOU
seat going !" he shouted, whilst
stood with my watch in hand.
"Ono minute left! Ring the bel
noww l said. "If they undo thosC
screws in one, or even five minutes, II
! cat thcm.n
Wejumped into Il carriage, the guart
gave the final whistle, and the trail
moved slowiyon. WeanXiOuslywatchet
the result Of our plot, with our head
out of window. After waiting one o
two minutes, we noticed figure gestic
ulating at the station window. Th
train then passed into deep cutting
and we lost sight of it.
CHAPTER II.
think that l have forgotten to 50,
that / was going to spend the Christina
with college friend. He had gont
down few days before, and had prom
ised to meet me at C station.
You may imagine that was not sorr.
to find myself arrived there, nor yet {
see my friend Tom stamping his feet OF
the platform, no doubt thoroughly tiret
of waiting for the train. As he drov
me up, he began talking of the dili'eren
arrangements he had made for our mu
tual amusement. "To-morrow,' Ii
said, "I've set aside for skating party
l have had the pond of the park swept
and invited all 'les jeunes dcmoiselle-
within reach, and as they have accepte,
it will give you fair idea of our ma
tive beauty"
"Now, of all jolly things in the worl
I thinl; skating party is the jolliest
Tom says that am fond of showing M
skating of; but / deny that this ha
any thing to do with it. In the frs
place, the frosty weather and themu!!o
c'arct induce high spirits; then thcr
are the tumble5 to laugh at, and the il
dies skates to strap on (Which last, j
my own mind, is not the least pleasan
part of the entertainment
We had by this time reached til
house, and, after having accomplishc
our toilcttes, Tom took me into tn
drawing-rOom.
"The guv'nor isn't at home; but lc
me introduce you to my sister Minnie.
Miss Minnie rose, and held out he
hand at once, but for my own part,
was too dumb-fOunded to utter singl
word. am told that ! am far from e
Oquent when describing female beauty
so | will notattemptit it here; but mus
say that | had never, and have ncvt
since, seen such pretty face. Whe
dinner was announced, however, ! In
recovered my cquanimity sufficiently I
offer her my arm, and after short tim
we got to know one another thoroughly
The dinner lperhaps itmoy have bee
the port wine had opened my hear
and we removed to Toms sanctum
smoke (where, by-the-by, Miss Mimi
insisted on joining us, saying that ST
liked the smell of tobacco, and found
so dull by herself, l began to relate m
adventure with the old gentleman.
Peal after peal of laughter arose as
proceeded with my narrative. warmC
with my subject, quite outdoing mysc
in the description of the gentleman
, angry face and his irrate behavior.
"lIerc," said in triumph, sis II
trophyw and l held out the nightcap
, Never shall forget that moment
brother and sister stared at it for Of
! second, and then Tom, looking vacan
ly at me, Immediately went into {
, hysterical fit of laughter, His face b
j. gan to grow quite black, and the tea
= rolled down his checks.
My face presented anything but
u laughing appearance, for l was stru
u With amazement at this behavior.