Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-08-03
QUITE a MISTAKE;
Or the Pretty School Mistress of Hollythor

and district school, the said school being
taught by young lady who had widowed
mother and brothers and sisters to assist in
supporting.
For the sake of economy, Miss Eva
Stanley "boarded around" among the
scholars, and was considered quite para
gon among teachers. Her Father had
been respectable mechanic, but had died
about two years illness, which bitterly i'm.
rrovished the family. Eva had, however
(sho being the cldcst). received a good
plain education before the great calamity
came upon them and noble hearted and
unscllish, began her work of assisting in
the support.
! The last week previous to the holiday
vacation, she had been boarding with Mrs.
Carpenter, who was making gigantic prep
ara.ious for guests she expected from New
York.
You never met my brothers, Eva," she
said, and then began to give the pretty
young teacher description of them
''Thcre's Sam, George and johnny, the
youngest; aud such times as they have
When they get out here to rest aud 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 prank no one ever saw. The last time
they visited me all together, John and Sam
actually cut a pane of glass from the win
dow, and pelted George out of the best
room with snow. You sec there is always
regular strive 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 got in there this time, that's
certain, for | intend to keep you in that
room, and 50 end the controversy. | am
so afraid that they will break or ruin some
thing that am glad you arc 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 bro.hcrs--have no right
to do So"
No You shan't Eva" pcremptorily cx-
claimed ler 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
mother has mouths enough to feed l guess,
and won't miss yours"
The subject was dropped, and the entire
household retired early, for on the NOR
row the brothers, young, ardent, and full
of life, were to be there. But, without
sending any word Of their intention, they
had concluded to take the evening train.
which would land them at IIollythorn about
bedtime. George and John did SO, aud
when safely seated in the cars, 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.
Il can't make it out, unless he took the
fvc o'clock train, by mistake"
"Not bit of it," laughed John, who
fancied he understood the entire pro-
grammc. at is more likely he took that
train Oh purpose to get into Hans 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 contrive to get
him out somehow"
Bet your life on that"
The brothers put their heads together
and laughed merrily over some scheme of
outwitting Sam; and accordingly, when
the train reached Holly,horn at eleven
o'clock, they approached to the house of
their sister in a very stcaltby manner.
Climbing the fence in the rear, they
softly opened window and obtained access
to the pantry, where they demolished
mincc pie and quantity of doughnuts.
Then, with appetites appeased, they re-
moved their boots, aud prepared to investi-
gate the best room" stole along the hall,
which was dimly lighted by the moon,
asccndcd the stairs, and reached the door.
The faint ray Of the moon disclosed a chair
piled with clothing, and they could dis
tiuctly trace the outlines Of form beneath
tho bedclothes, and had not the rcmotest
idea but that Sam was enjoying sweet re-
poses upon Hannah's best bed.
After whispered words were enchanted,
and then as softly as if shod with down,
! they drew near.