Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-08-03
" All ready" whispered George.

Quick as thought, they seized upon the
form of the sleeper, bedclothes and all,
bore it swiftly down the stairs, out into the
snow, and were just about to deposit it in
huge drift, when a shrill scream broke
the stiffness of the night, and oh horror .
it was that of a woman! And in their con-
sternaticn they dropped their burden
plump into the middle Of the drift.
"Good heavens" exclaimed George,
cit isn't Sam, but some women, as I am a
sinner, and she has tainted. Run and call
Hanna"
With admirable presence of mind he
lifted the limp form of Eva Stanley, and
carried her into the house. But her cry
had already been heard, and the inmates
came rushing into the hall just as he ap-
pearcd.
"Georgc! John! for goodness sake
what docs this mean, and who have you
hcrc?' asked Mrs. Carpenter, all in one
breath.
blessed if l know" began George; "wc
thought it was Sam, so we concluded to
give him dose in the snow, for getting
into the best bed and trying to cuchre us
Quick !. | believe she has tainted"
"Just like you" sco!lcd Hannah, as
she assisted in depositing Eva once more
upon the bed from which she had been so
unccrcmouiousl y taken. beginning your
tricks upon each other before you fairly
get into the house. Clear out now"
Long before she was done with her IT,
radc, her discounted brothers had betaken
themselves down stairs, where they almost
went into Mysteries over the joke.
GA pretty kettle Of fish," said George,
rolling over the floor, and letting off peal
after peal of laughter.
"I should think it was," replied John,
holding his sides. Oh, my. But what
the dickens is to be done about it; and
who do you suppose she is, George %
"Somc guest of Hannah's, of course !;
young and pretty as that. don't know
how it is with you, but feel particularly
small and extremely cheap-would sell
myself at vey low price"
"Chcap?:" roared John, cheap? I
would actually give myself away this
blessed minute, and throw in something to
boot. What We are to do, cant say; but
l believe shall dig out of this place, aud
get back to the city before morning. l
havn't got the courage to face the music,
or I'll get up and get"
lie began hastily putting on his boots,
and would have put his threat into cxccu-
tion, but for the appearance of Hannah,
who at once asserted her authority.
I" You are not going single STEP" she
said but l don't wonder you feel ashamed
of yourselves. What on earth possessed
you is more than | can tell"
"That's right, Han; pitch in, scold
away. I'll take any amount just now, for
l am meek as lamb. But who is it we
have played so shabby trick ?" said
George.
"Trick ? I should think it was. Why,
it is Eva Stanley, just as nice a young
lady as ever lived. She is our school
teacher, and this is her week to board here
and knew we'll enough you boys would
be squabbling over that room as usual, so l
put her in there, little thinking you would
come home in this stealthy manner"
"Eva Stanley? Whew! A pretty school
teacher" and repeating his sisters words,
he gave lugubrious groan.
"Has she recovcred?" questioned John,
vainly endeavoring to restrain his laughter
at the wry faces his brother was making.
eyes, soon brought her to; but l
don't believe the poor girl will ever get
over her fright. She said that the first
thing she knew she was being lifted up and
carried out, and she was so much alarmed
that she couldn't utter sound but the
moment the cold air struck her, she real.
lied that she was being abducted or some-
thing Of the kind, and had just time to
utter scream when she tainted. 1t is too
bad, declare, boys. I should not have
wondered if she had taken her death, be-
ing dragged out of warm bed this time
Of night and dropped into suowdrift in
that fashion. No wonder that she cried,
poor thing"
"Cried! did she ?" repeated George,
with groan.
81 should think she did. just took
her in my arms and let her have her cry
out, while I explained to her how she
happened TO be mistaken for Sam, and so
becamc the victim Of yOur DrankS"