Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-07-26

pitchor, and he knew that n rood dousinr
with the ley fluid would bring them out
quicE enough.
"Ir | can't have my old quarters" he
chuckled, "you shan't, that am determin-
cd on. So here goes"
He lifted the pitcher, approached the bed.
raised it high, and suddenly dashed the en-
Tire contents upon the sleeper.
Such Il torrent of screams as he had nev-
or heard before rang through the house,
aud before Sam could collect his scattered
senses, door after door was opened. and
Hannah, George and John rushed in.
clothed in scanty apparel-Hannah with
frightened look In her face and lamp in
her trembling hand, that revealed the en-
tire scene.
There, sitting up in bed, with her hair
dripping like mermaid, her night dress
deluged, her face colorless and eyes look
ing terror, was the young school mistress,
and there was Sam, with he empty pitcher
| ig his hand, the very picture of imbecility,
A5tsfng about like an idiot at Miss Eva and
&c havoc he had made.
| Hannah, George and John instantly
comprehended the situation, and the latter,
at the command Of his sister, dragged Sam
away, while she assisted the drenched and
terrified girl to dry clothing, and bed, ex-
planning for the second time the mishaps of
the night.
"Ill keep you with me now, my poor
child" she said, though with great diff
Guilty keeping back her laughter. "These
boys are handsomely come up with, any
way; and il il wasn't for having you so
terribly frightened, and the way the best
bed has peen used, would not care. They
do nothing when they come home but
study up some trick TO play upon each 9TH
er; and" continued she by way of apollo
gy, "they are so confined in their Offices
and stores during most of the year, that
they let entirely loose when they get out
here. But you are safe now.'
Hannah kissed her charge, and went
down TO see about the boys who, as soon as
they were fairly shut up in the regions be-
low, began to thoroughly appreciate the
joke; and now that Sam was as Geep in
the mud as they in the mire, gave no quar-
| ter.
"Tll be blamed if know what it all
means," said Sam, looking in confusion at
his brothers who were rolling and kicking
in convulsions OF laughter.
WATT replied George, "until Han comes
and see if you don't find out" And he
gave out another peal.
Sam had not smiled, and sat looking the
very picture Of discomfort and perplexi;y,
but answered:
"For heavens sake, hold on boys! | am
willing 10 admit that | am badly sold
gone dog cheap 10 tic highest bidder; but
hold up long enough to tell fellow what
ii neans!'
"Meaus? OF course l will" continued
George, still holding his sides. at means
that you have stolen like thief into Miss
Eva Stanlcy's he'd chamber--0 ho is a
young lady teacher and boarding round
that this is her week here and thinking it
was your humb servant aud Johnny snug
in bed, you attempted TO draw us out, and
made grand mistake. How do you like
it Sam?'
81 conltss | see the point, but can't the
joke. It's an outrageous shame
Al this iunctLre Hannah came in and be-
gan rating them soundly, thereby letting
out the whole story. 1t was Sans turn to
laugh then. He struggled manfully to
maintain his garyity, but the whole thing
was so supremely ludicrous that he was
compelled TO join his brothers.
Miss Eva was not visible at the break fast
table the next morning, and Hannah an
nounced that She was sick with a severe
cold; whereupon George groaned out and
called for handful of peas TO put in Sans
shoes, while that gentleman looked very
contrite, and John declared that he wanted
to shoot himself But Hannah had the un-
ruy crew under her thumb for once in her
life, and had the satisfaction also of seeing
them behave with something of dignity.
They appeared never to forget that there
was an invalid in the house, and went on
tiptoe about and sam, who seemed to take
the entire responsibility upon his shoul-
ders, sent off slyly to New York for choice
fruit and flowers, which he induced his
sister to convey to the young lady with the
most abject apologies and regrets.
In a couple of days Eva was able TO come
down stairs. She was looking very pale,
but lovely, and of course blushed divinely
when presented by Mrs. Carpenter to her
three brothers, who behaved quite well,
considering the unpleasantness of their sit
uation.
B But Sam, who had broken the ice by
means of his presents, was the most at ease,
and by virtue of his age and experience,
constituted himself the propitiator, and
was constantly on hand TO offer Miss Eva
a thousand nameess attentions; and be-
fore the week was out John declared in
confidence TO Hannah that "Sam was done
forr'
"Gone under completely r. echoed George
with one of his dismal groans. "Just think
| ofit, Han-ifit had not been for n pitcher of
water, Sam would have been heart. whole
this blessed minute. The fellow meets
lots of girls much prettier than she every
day, and with lots of stamps too. They
say pity Is twin sister to love, and believe
It,"
'Sour grapesv r. whispered John, puck
ering up his mouth.
Hannah sang Eva's praises and secretly
commended Sans choice. She recon-
mended marriage 10 all of them, as being
the only SOLDERING process she was acauaint-
ed with. 1t is a piece of advice, however,
they do not appear inclined 10 follow, not
wilhstanding Sans happy lot with the
pretty school mistress OF Hollythorn.
She often reminds her brothers-in-law of
her unceremonious introduction to a snow
drift at the dead of night and they retail
ate by the shower-bath given her by Sam.
And she twines her arms around Sans
neck, and with tears in bersweet blueeyes,
declares that but for that episode she fears
she never would have had husband
Woods Household Md9ozine.
1t is mentioned rs a curious fact by old
woodsmen that beech and sycamore