American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-06-15
Miscellany.
QUITE A MISTAKE.

QUITE A MIS- TAKE.
In the thriving village of Hollythorn,
there was las is common to such places
and district school, the said school being
taught by young lady who had a wild
owed mother and brothers and sisters to
assist in supporting.
For the sake of economy, Miss Eva
Stanley ''boarded around" among the
scholars, and was considered quite par.
agon among teachers. Her father had
been a respectable mechanic, but had
died after about two years of illness,
which bitterly impoverished the family
Eva had, however (she being the eldest
received a good plain education before the
great calamity came upon them, and
noble-hearted and unselfish, began hel
work of assisting in the support.
The last week previous to the holiday
vacation she had been boarding with a
Mrs. Carpenter, who was making gigantic
preparations for guests she expected from
New York.
"4ou never met my brothers, Eva, u
she said, and then began to give the pretty
young teacher description of them.
There's Sam, George, and Johnny, the
youngest; and such times as they have
when they get out here to rest and rusti
cate, as they call it J But dear me, don't
have much rest or peace, for they are like
lot of boys out of school. Such tricks
and pranks no one ever saw. The last
time TREY visited me altogether, John
and Sam actually cut a pane of glass from
the window and pelted George out of my
best room with snow. You see there is
always regular strife for that particular
room, for the bed is spring one, and
they say they don't sleep on any other in
the city. But they don't get in there this
time. that's certain, for 1 intend to keep
you in that room, and so end the contro-
versy. am SO afraid that they will break
or ruin something that am glad that you
are here 1t may keep them in check a
little.
ST had just as soon occupy any other
room, Mrs. Carpenter, and do not wish to
incommode your brothers-have no right
to do So"
mo you shan't, Eva" peremptorily ex-
claimed her hostess; land what is the use
of your going home vacation week? You
can stay here just as well as not, and do
up your sewing on my machine. Your
mother has mouths enough to feed
guess, and won't miss yours"
The subject was dropped and the entire
household retired early, for On the morrow
the brothers, young, ardent and full of
life were to be there. But, without send
ing any word of their intention, they had
concluded to take the evening tram,
which would land them at Hollythorn
about bed time. George and John did
SO, and when safely seated in the cars
began to speculate about the absence of
Sam.
"No reason on earth why he shouldn't
have been along" said George
"No for he told me this morning he
would certainly be on hand" answered
John.
81 can't make it out, unless he took the
five O'Clock train, by mistake"
Not bit of it," laughed John, who
fancied he understood the entire pro-
gramme. ut is more likely he took that
rain on purpose to get into Hans spare
bedroom, and make US take up with straw
hicks and feathers"
Il didn't think of that, but l reckon
you are right. We must contrive to get
him out, somehow"
bet your life on that"
The brothers Put their heads together
md laughed merrily over some scheme
or outwitting Sam, and, accordingly,
Fleven O'Clock, they approached the
Ouse of their sister in a very stealthy
manner.
Climbing the fence in the rear, they
oftly opened window and obtained &C
less to the pantry, were they demolished
mince pie and a quantity of doughnuts
hen, with appetites appeased, they re-
hoved their boots and prepared to in
|testigate the "best ROOM" stole along
the hall, which was dimly lighted by the
moon, assembled the stairs and reached
the door. The faint rays of the moon
disclosed chair piled with clothing, and
they could distinctly trace the outlines of
q form beneath the bedclothes, and had
not the remOtest idea but that Sam was
enjoying sweet repose upon Hannah's
best bed.
SAfter whispered words were exchanged,
and then as softly as if shod with down,
they drew near.
"All ready" whispered George.
Quick as thought, they seized upon the
form of the sleeper, bed clothes and all,
bore it swiftly down the stairs, out into
the snow, and were just about to deposit
it in a huge drift, when shrill scream
broke the stiffness of the night, and oh
horror it was that of a woman, And in
their CONSERVATION they dropped their
burden plump into the middle of the
drift.
"Good heavensr' exclaimed George
"it isn't Sam, but some woman, as | am
p sinner, and she has tainted. Run and
call Hannah"
With admirable presence of mind he
lifted the limp form of Eva Stanley and
Carried her into the house. But her cry
q Id already been heard, and the inmates
me rushing into the hall just as he APP
cared.
"Georgel John, for goodness sake,
hat does this mean, and who have you
bere?" asked Mrs. Carpenter all in
reath.
"BIessed if I know" began George;
f.Aought it was Sam, so we concluded to
nto The "A douse in the snow, for getting
mn i bend and trying to euchre us.
e MJnst like Won fslas tainted"
lbe assisted in depositing Hannah, as
hpon the bed from which she haaee more