The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-04-16
Quite a Mistake.
BY II. LUQUEEB.

Iu the thriving village Of Hollythorn
there were las is common to such places)
a church, post-office, a couple Of stores,
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 ecounomy, Miss Eva
Stanley "boarded around" among the
scholars, and was considered paragon
among teachers. Her father had been q
respectable mechanic, but died after a
bout two years of illness, which bitterly
impoverished the family. Eva had, how
ever, (she being the eldest,) received a
good plain education before the great
calamity came upon them, and noble
hearted and unselfsh, began her 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 gigan-
tic preparations for guests she expected
from New York.
"You never met my brothers, Eva,"
she said, and then began to give the pret-
ty 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 But, dear me, |
don't get much rest or peace, for they
are like lot of boys let out of school.
Such tricks and pranks no one ever saw.
The last time they 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 a 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
intend to keep you in that room, and
so end the controversy. l am SO afraid
they will break or ruin something that |
am glad you are here. 1t may keep
them in check little"
81 had just as soon occupy any other
room, Mrs. Carpenter, and do not wish
to incommole your brothers-have no
right to do so."
mo you shan't, Eva," peremptorily ex-
claimed her hostess "and what is the
use of your going home vacation week ?
You can stay here just as well as not,
aud 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 en-
tire household retired early, for on the
morrow the brothers, young, ardent and
full of life, were to be there. But with
out sending any word of their intention,
they had concluded to take the evening
train, which would land them at Holly
thorn about bedtime. George and John
did so, and when safely seated in the
cars began to speculate about the ab-
sence of Sam.
mo reason upon earth why he should
not have been along" said George.
mo, for he told me this morning.
he would certainly bo on hand" replied
John.
81 can't make it out, unless he has
taken the FIVE O'Clock train, by mistake"
"Not bit of it," laughed John, who
fancied he understood the entire pro.
gramme. at is more likely he took
that train on purpose to get into Han
nah's spare bedroom, and make us take
up with straw ticks and feathers"
81 didn't think of that, but L reckon
you are right. We must contrivc to got
him out somehow.
"Bet your life on that"
The brothers put their heads together
and laughed merrily over some scheme
for outwitting Sam, and accordingly, y,when
the train reached Hollythorn about elev-
en- o'clock, they approached the house Of
their sister in very stealthy manner.
Climbing the fence in the rear, they
sfty opened window and obtained ac-
cess to the pantry, where they demolish-
ed mince pie and quantity Of dough-
nuts. Then, with appetites appeased,
they removed their boots and prepared
to investigate the "best room"-stole a.
long 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 cloth
ing, and they could distinctly trace the
outlines of form beneath the bed
clothes, and had not the remotest idea
but that Sam was enjoying sweet repose
upon Hannah's best bed.
A few whispered words were exchang-
ed, and then as softly and lightly 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 woman And in
their CONSERVATION they dropped their
burden plump into the middle OF the
drift.
Good heaven !" exclaimed George,
sit isn't Sam, but some woman, as | am
a 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
had already been heard, and the inmates
came rushing into the hall just as he ap-
peared.
George John for goodness sake
what does this mean, and who have you
there ?" asked Mrs. Carpenter in a
breath
blessed if knew" began George ;
Thought it was Sam, SO we concluded to
give him douse in the snow, for getting
into the best bed and trying to eu-
chre us. Quick believe she has faint
ed"
"Just like you !" scolded Hannah, as
she assisted in depositing Eva once more
upon the bed from which she had been
so unceremoniously taken Beginning
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