Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-09
CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

OAUUh1 LIN l. III aOl.
can never read an account in the news
paper of a gentleman of the Irish persuasion
arrested at the suit of his wife, and safely
lodged in the station house, without feel
Ing of intense amusemo mt that requires ex-
PLANTATION.
Once during the summer solstice, when
everybody that was anybody (except my
self had gone ont of town, was left to my
own devices during the day and Ben S soci
ely in the evening for what amusement
could find in hot pavements, shaded houses,
and libations of ice water, for the space of
two never to- be-forgotten weeks.
| had Inundated myself on the shrine of
sisteIly affection. for Ben's down town af
fairs could not possibly he wound up before
the specified two weeks had expired and
most comfortable feeling of self-righteous-
ness accompanied the sacrifice. To be sure,
trip TO Lake George was promised to me
- the rcwarttof merit and with this in
prospect, my captivity became quite endur-
able Besides, Ben aud | were always ex
the family; AMI as the others had dispersed
right and left on various summer pilgrimag
e., it bchoovcd me to see that my fav0rite
brother was not left to the tender mercics of
Bridget
All the ncighbors hal deserted rs; and
had watched trunk after trunk. and carriage
after carriage, starting for various destina
tons The newspapers afforded me, in the
letters from watering places. the delectable
information that Miss B--was ch Imiug
in i dress of blue crepe with pink trim
miug>;' Mrs. c., handsome and lis
tiugue, in crimson moire antique - Miss
-, like sunset cloud in violet six and
so on through the alphs bet generally. As |
knew some of these people very well. / wen
drrri if Il transformation had taken place
from change of residence; and hoped that
whatever it was, | might not fail to catch it
when too. should pack up my tent like an
Arab, and glide in the darkness away.
fully expected to go in the morning.
when did GO; but think there is some
thing like this in one of Mr. LongfeIlow's
p'rnS-
Our next-door neighb0r, Mrs Beverley,
had gone with the two children. and faith
tuI black Rose, at the very beginning of the
summer fittings and as Mrs Beverley WAS
NY especial admiration. and the children my
tavorite amusement, wondered how could
possibly get through the weary days without
tEem- Little ''Dory," (sbort for Theodore
whose fathers eye, had closed in this world
without seeing the face of his little son, was
an animated sculpture of the purest mar
Die, lighted up by dark orbs that seemed to
nnse whittier the ivory skin; and his sister,
two years oder, was the most bewitching
little romp. that eveI spoiled white dresses,
or set at nought all the rules of propriety
" for the gentle, sorrow stricken mother,
whom scarcely any one ever got glimpse of,
had fairly stormed herinto sort OF liking
Me-scaled her castle on various pretexts.
and carried of the children so frequently,
parent to beignored. All the family laugh
el az my passion for Mrs. Beverley, and al
that pcrtaiued TO her; every one acknowl-
edged that she was lovely and attractive,
bat completely wrapped up in her children
AMI the memory of happy past. My feel
Ing for her, however, amounted TO perfect
enthusiasm and we became very good
IHenl- some time before her departure.
Nhe had not gone among the charming
Miss /. and B's, and G's, with their rain
bow hued dresses; but off among the green
h'is ot New Hampshire, where aunt and
cousins waited to welcome her and her chill
dFen 10 pure air and green pastures. She
would be gone all summer, and had laugh
InSy requested me to keep an eye on the
mouse while | remained near it. 1t is need
less i'. NE to say that | kept tsco eyes per
Se'er"riy fixed upon the domiciR whenever
opportunity offered; and held endless dis
customs with Ben as to whether all the doors
ana windows were properly fastened. For
constitutional dread of burglars was one of
ny iH'oeyncrasies; and l had frequently been
demonstrated with for looking upon them as
supernatural bcings-inasmuch as, from the
nature Of my searches before retiring / ev-
identity expected them to lodge in bureau
drawers, and store themselves away in small
boxes
Mrs Beverley had frequently spoken to me
oi brother whom, as the country people say,
sue seemed to set great store by; and
VINO Was now studying profession in dis
tant city. He was to join her in New Hamp-
SHIRE, and return with her on a visit; and
she had expressed strong desire that we
should see each other. l was quite persuad-
cd that She hoped great deal from this see