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

down to see about the boys, who, as soon
as they were fairly shut up in the regions
below, began to thoroughly appreciate
! the joke; and now that Sam was as deep
in the mud as they in the mire, gave nc
quarter.
"Tll be blamed if know what it all
means" said Sam, looking in confusion
at his brothers, who were rolling and
kicking in commissions of laughter.
wait" replied George, until Han
comes, and see if you don't find out "
And he gave vent to another peal.
Sam had not smiled, and sat looking
the very picture of discomfort and per
| pleXity, but answered:
For heavens sake, hold on boys, /
am willing to admit that l am badly sold
gone dog cheap to the highest bidder;
but hold up long enough to tell fellow
what it MEANS"
"Means? OF course 1 will" continued
George, still holding his sides. at
means that you have stolen like thief
into Miss Eva SANKEY'S bed chamber
who is young lady teacher and board
ing round that this is her week here;
and thinking it was your humble servant
and Johnny snug in bed, you attempted
to draw us out, and made a grand mis-
take. How do you like it, Sam 2"
Il confess l see the point, but can't the
joke. It's an outrageous shame"
AT this juncture Hannah came in and
began rating them soundly, thereby letting
out the whole story. 1t was Sans turn
then to laugh. He struggled manfully to
retain his gravity, but the whole thing
was so supremacy ludicrous that he was
compelled to join his brothers.
Miss Eva was not visible at the break
fast table the next morning, and Hannah
announced that she was sick with severe
cold; whereupon George grOaned out and
called for a handful of peas to put in
Sans shoes, while that gentleman looked
very contrite, and John declared he want
ed to shoot himself. But Hannah had the
unruly 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 shoulders, sent off slyly to New
York for choice fruit and flowers, which
he induced his sister to convey to the
you Ig lady with the most abject apologies
and regrets.
In 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. Carpen-
ter to her three brothers, who behaved
quite well, considering the unpleasant
ness of their situation.
But Sam, who had broken the ice by
means of his presents, was the most at
ease, and by virtue of his age and expert
ence, constituted himself the propitiator
and was constantly on hand to offer Miss
Eva thousand nameless attentions; and
before the week was out John declared
in confidence to Hannah that ''Sam was
done for!''
"Gone under completelyr' echoed
George, with one of his dismal groans.
''Just think of it, Han-if it had not been
for that pitcher of water, Sam would
have been heart-whole this blessed min
ute. 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 grapesr' whispered John, puck
ering up his mouth.
Hannah sang Eva's praises and secretly
commended Sans choice. She recon-
mended marriage to all of them, as being
the only SOLDERING process she was ac-
quainted with. 1t is piece of advice,
however, they do not appear inclined to
follow, notwithstanding Sans happy lot
with the pretty school-mistress of Holly
thorn.
She often reminds her brothers-in-law
of her unceremonious introduction to
snowdrift at the dead of night, and they
retaliate by the shower bath given her by
Sam. And she twines her arms about
Sans neck, and with tears in her sweet
blue eyes, declares that but for that cpl
sode she fears she would never have had
a husband. Woods Household Kago=ine.