The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-04-16

child" she said, though with great diff
Guilty keeping back her laughter. "ThosC
boys are nicely come up with, at any
rate and if it wasn't for your having
been so terribly frightened, and the way
my best bed has been used, wouldn't
care. They do nothing when they come
home but study up some trick to play
upon each other and" continued she
by way of apology, "they are SO confined
in their Offices and stores during most o
the year, tina. 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 region;
below, began to thoroughly appreciate the
joke; and now that Sam was as deep in
the mud as they in the mirc, gave nc
quarter.
"I'll be blamed if know what it all
means" said Sam, looking in confusion a,
his brothers, who were rolling and kick.
ing in convulsions of laughter.
"Wait," replied George, "until Han
comes, and see if you don't find out y
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
I'm willing to admit that I am badly
sold-gone dog cheap to the highest bid.
der; but hold up long enough to tell a
fellow what it means"
"Means OF course | will, continued
George, still holding his sides. at means
that you have stolen like thief into Miss
Eva Stanley's bed-chamber-who is a
young lady teacher and boarding around;
that this is her week here and thinking
it was your humble servant and Johnny
snug in bed, you attempted to drown us
out, and made grand mistake. How do
you like it, Sam?"
81 confess | sec the point, but can't
the joke, 1t is most outrageous shame"
At this juncture Hannah came in and
began rating them soundly, thereby let
ting out the whole story. 1t was Sans
turn then to laugh. FIc struggled man.
fully to retain his gravity, 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
announced that she was sick with se-
we're 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
he wanted to shoot himself. But Han.
nah 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 ap-
peared to never forget that there was an
invalid in the house, and went on tip-toe
about; and Sam, who seemed to take
the entire responsibility upon his shou.
ders, sent off slyly to New York for
choice fruit and flowers, which he in.
duced his sister to convey to the young
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 unpleasantness
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 expe.
rience, constituted himselfthe 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 -
"Gono under completely !" echoed
George with one OF his dismal groans
Just think of it, Han-if it had no,
been for that pitcher of water, San would
have been hcart-whole this blessed min.
ute. The fellow meets lots girls much
prettier than she every day, and with lots
OF stamps too. They say pity is twin
sister to love, and l believe it."
"Sour grapes " whispered John, puck.
cring at his mouth
Hannah sang Evas praises, and secret
ly commended Sans choice. She rec
commended marriage to all of them, a,
being the only SOLDERING process she wa'
acquainted with. 1t is piece of ad
wee however, they do not appear in
cllned to follow. Notwithstanding SAM
happy lot with the pretty school, mistress
Of Hollythorn.
She often reminds her brothers-in-l law
OF her unceremonious introduction to {
snow.drift at the dead of night, and they
retallate by the shower-bath given her By
Sam. And she twines her arms abou
Sans neck, and with tears in her swee
blue eyes, declares that but for that epis
ode she fears she would never have haC
a husband,