The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-15

SeSteu tilat We snoulu yet on our Why
500 ner If we all went out and helped
clear the line. To this all agreed Tex
ccpt our agreeable friend, Of course.)
We had worked away merrily for an
hour or so, and were congratulating our
selves on being able to start again, when
Holt came running mp with very pleas
ant expression Of countenance and rs he
tapped me on the shoulder I remember
that no had not been with US for the last
half hour.
Harry said he. I've an idea.'
Keep il then.' replied, for II Is so
rare commodity with you, that I would
not deprive you Of il for the world
Don't chaif. and I'll tell you all about
Il. I went up into the room at the sta
ton Just now, and found our friend, the
old boy, fast asleep In his char. COM
pletely collapsed under the soporifc eff
fects Of FIRE and glass of brandy. /
Immediately ran into the village and
bought these he said. showing me hand
full of screws, gimlet and screw-driv-
CT.
What in the name Of everything ridic-
ulous do you want these for asked.
Don't you see. we shall start again di-
rectly! We will. meanwhile, run up
stairs and screw the old man firmly into
the room-the train goes on--we are re-
venged for his surly behavior TO us, and
no will then learn that old gentlemen
should not be ill-tempered st Christmas
time
Capital said. always ready to fall
In with u practical joke, let US be Of ut
once
We certainly found our man In rs Nor
phean a torpor as we could wish. His
feet were propped up on 3 chair and he
was breathing with his mouth wide open.
In rather an apoplectic manner.
Harry said Holt. you're rather n
swell at drawing. I believe. I'll burn tho
end of that beer bottle cork and you shall
artistically adorn his face
That is Splendid he whispered. n, /
finished of with the mustache which turn
ed up in facetious manner.
Just move that looking-glass, and put
II so he may admire himself directly when
he wakes: and now let MS bc or
We walked on tiptoe to the door and
closed il in safety.
Give me the screws, quick. I said. and
90 to the bottom of the stairs and prevent
any one from coming up
bored hole after hole rs noiselessly as
possible. and having made the door rs
fast as eight screws could make 1t, l ran
down stairs and whispered,
All right
is there gentleman up stairs, sir |"
said the station master. walking towards
us. He asked me to wake him up in
time for the train, and IL Is just ready to
go
oh he won't like to he disturbed till the
last minute. YOU may be-sure,' said Holt.
by the by. wish TO talk Ia you on plan
by which l think your station might be
improved
Now. architecture happened 10 be one
of the station masters hobbies and they
were soon in deep discussion. beat a
hasty retreat to the guard, and producing
n sovereign. said:
If you get us of in five minutes, wait
ing for no one, and ring your bell at the
last minute, this Is yours
All right sir; the luggage Is all In and
most Of the passengers. Take your seats.
Going on he shouted, whilo l stood with
my watch in hand.
'One minute left; ring the bell now,' 1
said.
If they undo those screws in one or
even FIVE minutes. will eat them,'
We jumped into carriage, the guard
gave the final. and the train moved slow
ly on. We anxiously watched the result
of our plot with our heads out of the win
dow. The train then passed into deep
cutting and we lost sight Of 1t.
think l have forgotten to say that |
was going to spend Christmas with col
lego friend. He had gone down u few days
before, and promised to meet me at C
station.
was not sorry to find myself arrived
there, nor vet To see my friend Steve,
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 hc had made for
our mutual amusement.
Tomorrow he said. I've set aside for
skating party; I've had the pond swept
and invited all les Jeunes denioiselles with
In reach; and rs they have all accepted. it
viii give you n very fair idea Of our native
beauty
We had by this time reached the house;
and after having accomplished our toi-
lettes, Steve took me into the drawing
room.
The Gov'nor isn't at home. but let me
introduce you to my sister Minnie
Miss Minnie arose and held out her
hand ut once, but for my part 1 was too
dumbfounded Ia utter single word. L
am told that am far from eloquent when
describing female beauty. so will not at
tempt II here; but must say that l never,
before nor since. saw such u pretty and
merry face. When dinner WAS announced,
however, had recovered my cquanimity
sufficiently TO offer her my arm, aud after
n short time we got TO know one another
thoroughly.
The dinner (perhaps It may have been
the port winc0 had opened my heart,
and when we moved to Steve's sanctum to
smoke (wher.. by the BY, Miss Minnie in.
sisted on joining US, saying that she liked
.he smell oftobacco and found 1t lonely by
herself y began 10 narrats my adventures
with the old gentleman. .......rr ..r.
Peal amer peal OF laughter arose rs l
proceeded with NV subject, quite outdoing
myself In the description OF the old mans
angry face and irste behavior.
Here said I. is my trophy holding
out the night-cap. Never shall I forget
that moment. Brother and sister looked
at Il for one second and then Steve. looking
vacantly at me. went into n hystericai ut
Of laughter. Hisface began to grow quite
black. and the tears ruled down his cheeks.
My face presented any thing but n laughing
appearance. for was struck with amaze
ment ut his behavior. At last with what
little breath he had left he managed to get
out the following words;
'nor's-night-cap!
A he said this be pointed tn small Ia
bel inside the cap which had not noticed
befors. and thsre. sure enough, were the
words:
$3.50 z. Grumbleacat.ay. esq. r