Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-01-11


ment.)
We had by this time reached the
house, and, after having accomplished
our toilettes, Tom took me into the
drawing room.
The guv'nor ism 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 dumbfounded to utter a single
word. / am told that / am far from
eloquent when describing female
beauty, SO / will not aitsmptit here;
but must say that had never, and
have never since, seen such pretty
aud lnelry face. When dinner was an
nounced, however, l had recovered my
equanimity sufficiently 10 offer her my
arm, and after short time we got to
know one another thoroughly. r
The dinner (perhaps itnldy have been
the port wine) had opened my heart,
and when we removed to Toms sane
tum to smoke where, by-the-by, Miss
Minnie insisted on joining us, saying
that she liked the smell of tobacco,
and found it so dull by herself, be-
gan to relate my adventures with the
old gentleman.
Peal after peal of laughter arose as
proceeded with my narrative. warm
ed with my subject, quite outdoiDg
myself in the description of the old
gentleman's angry face and his irate
behavior.
'HereP 1 said, in triumph, SIS my
trophyr-and ] held out the night
cap.
Never shall / forget that moment
brother and sister stared at it for a
second, and then Tom, looking vacant
lily at me, immediately went into an
lhysterical fit of laughters His face be
gan to grow quite black, aud the tears
rolled down his cheeks.
My face presented anything but q
laughing appearance, Tor / was struck
with amszement at this behavior. AT
last, with what little breath he had left,
be managed to get out the words
It's he-guv-nor' s-night -capl
As he said this he pointed to small
label inside The cap, which had not
were the words
Il. GRUAIBLETHoBP, ESQ,
GRUKBLETHoRP HALL
Reader, have you ever wished the
earth to open and swallow you up?-
How heartily did / wish it at that mo.
ment. I saw the whole affair at a
glance. I had been playing a practical
Joke upon the gentleman In whose
house / was sitting, and had been de.
scribing him in the most ridiculous
light to his daughter. How / hated
Tom for laughing ibis sister was nearly
as bad, by-the-vly,) whilst sat turn
ing alternately red and pale, consider
ing what on earth was to be done. AT
this moment a servant entered the room.
"A 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 lackanapes
have played practical joke, and caus-
ed me to miss the last train tonight.
At last found words. Tom, / said.
Il must fly. Miss Grumblethorp, ]
cannot sufficiently apologize to you---'
'Ohl you need not apologize to me, nor
must you go either. Tom, you must
devise some escape out of this dilemma.
1T would certainly never do for the
governor to recognize you; he'd never
forgive you, and would cut me off with
a shilling. Obi have it'll sentence
you, in punishment, to cut off those
whiskers and moustache-he'n never
know you then
'NeverI' / said with determination.
I'm not vain man, but | will never
voluntarily make fright of myself
'Ohl I'm sure you would look much
better without Them said Miss Grum-
biethorp: besides remember the skating
party tomorrow; / want you to teach
me so much. You really must not go.
/ was not proof against this. The
adorable Miss Minnie actually wishing
me to stayl Again / recollected that /
had no ether invitation for Christina,
and all my family were spending the
winter abroad. Under these circum-
stances, L determined to risk all, and
stay where l was sure to enjoy my
self.
| Next morning / rose early, had a
clean shave, and borrowed pair of
light blue spectacles. When met
Miss Grumulethorp on my way to
breakfast, she declared the disguise was
capital, telling me, at the same time,
that her father had arrived, and was in
the breakfast room. L was formally
introduced, and by the way that he re-
ceived me il was evident that he had
not recognized me IN the least.
Always glad TO see Toms friends,
said the old boy, in quite a cheerful
tone. Thank goodness he doesn't
choose for companions such puppies as
those who insulted me yesterday. /
wonder wheth er they consider them
selves gentlemen?
In this strain he continued to talk all
breakfast-time, whilst L answered with
perfect gravity, not daring to look at
Minnie, for felt sure she was enjoying
the joke.
My story is nearly over. I enjoyed
the skating party thoroughly, for /
spent most of the day in teaching Min
ME. 1 also accompanied her next
evening to a. ball, where / found she
could move much more quickly and
gracefully than on the ice.
/ am now married; aud though i
have since grown my whiskers, yet my
father-il-!sw has never suspected that
/ was the young lackanapes that made
him late for the train (he has never
mentioned the burnt. cork business),
and has always been so kind to me that
I have heartily repented of it.
K. N.
Miscellaneous Items.
Speaking. in a private letter to a
friend recently, of the continued at
tacks made upon him by the orthodox