Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-07-26
The Leisure Hour.
QUITE II .NEST.fK X.

In the thriving village of Hollythorn,
there was (as 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 widowed moth
er and brothers a nd sisters 10 assist in sup
porting.
For the sake of economy, Miss Eva
Stanley "boarded al ound" among the schol-
ars, and was considered quite Il paragon
| among teachers. Her father had been re-
spectacle mechanic, but had died after
about two years of illness, which bitterly
| impoverished the family. Eva had, how
! evor (she being the eldestI received good
plain education before the great calamity
came upon them, and noble-bearted and
unselfish, began her work of assisting in
| the support.
The last week previous 10 the holiday va
cation she had been boarding with Mrs.
Carpenter, who was making gigantic prep
arations for guests she expected from New
York.
"YOu never met my brothers, Eva" she
said, and then began TO give the pretty
young teacher a description of them.
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
have much rest or peace, for they arc like
lot of boys out of school. Such tricks
and pranks no one ever saw. The last
time they visited me all together, John and
Sam actually cut 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: 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. 1 am so
afraid that they will break or ruin some
thing that am glad you are here. 1t may
| keep them in check little."
~ had just as soon occupy any other
room, Mrs. Carpenter, and do not wish to
incommode your brothers-have no right
| to do so.''
"No you shan't Eva," peremtorily ex-
claimed her hostess "and 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 moth
er 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 sending
any word of their intention, they had con-
cuded TO take the evening train, which
would land them at Hollythorn about bed
time. George and John did so, and when
safely seated in the ears, 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 fan
cied he understood the entire programme.
"Its more likely he took that train on pur-
| pose to get into Hans spare bedroom, and
make us take up with straw ticks and feath-
ers.'
81 didn't think of that, but l reckon you
| right W 20 iuSl fOnlIlNt 10 get MN
out, somehow"
"Bet your life on that"
The brothers put their heads together
and laughed merrily over some scheme for
outwitting Sam, and accordingly, when
the train reached Hollythorn at eleven
o'clock, they approached the house of their
sister in very stealthy manner.
Climbing the fence in the rear, they soft
ly opened window and obtained access TO
the pantry, where they demolished minco
pie and a quantity of doughnuts. Then,
with appetites appeased, they removed
their boots and prepared to investigate 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 a chair piled
with clothing, and they could distinctly
trace the outlines Of form beneath the
bed-cothes, and had not the remotest idea
but that Sam was enjoying sweet repose
upon Hannah's best bed.
Amer whispered words were exchanged,