The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-02-27
From Woods Household Magazine.l
QUITE A MISTAKE.

In the thriving village of Holly
thorn, there was, as is common in
such places, a church, postofhce, d
couple OF stores, and district school,
the said school being taught by a
young lady who had widowed moth
er 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 a
paragon among teachers. Her father
had been respectable mechanic, but
had died after about two years of ill.,
nesss, which bitterly Impoverished
the family. Eva had, however-she
being the eldest-received good
plain education before the great ca
ianity came upon them, and noble
hearted and unseltish, began her work
of assisting in the support. g
The last week previous TO the holi-
day vacation she had been boarding
with Mrs. Carpenter, who was max
ing gigantic preparations for guests
she expected from New ork.
"You never met my brothers, Eva, y
she said, and then began to give the
pretty ounS teacher u description OF
them. ''TheIe's Sam. George, and
Johnny. the youngest; and such times
as they have when they get out here
to rest and rusticate, as they call it !.
But dear me, l don't have much rest
or peace, Tor they are like lot of
boys out of school. Such tricks and
pranks no one ever saw. The last
time they visited me altogether. John
and Sam actually cut pane of glass
from the window and peited George
out of my best room with snow. You
see there is always regular strife Tor
that particular room, for the bed is a
spring one, and they say they don't
sleep on any other in the city. But
they don't get in there this time, that's
certain, for l intend to keep you in
that room and soend the controversy.
l am go afraid that they will break or
ruin something that | am glad that
you are here. 1t may hold them in
check little"
81 had just as soon occupy any 9TH
er room, Mrs. Carpenter, and do not
wish to incommode your brothers
have no right 10 do so."
mo, you shan't Eva" peremptorily
exclaimed her hostess land what is
the use of her 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 morrow the brothers. young, ar
dent 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 HoIlythorn about bed
time. George and John did so, and
when safely seated in the cars, began
to speculate about the absence of Sam.
"No reason on earth why he should
MT have been along" said George.
mo, for he told me this morning
he would certainly be on hand,' an
swered John.
81 can't make it out, unless he took
the five o'clock train. oy mistake"
mot bit OF it," laughed John, who
fancied he understood the entire pro-
gramme. "It is more likely he took
that train on purpose 10 getinto Hans
spare bedroom, and make us take up
with straw tick and feathers"
II didn't think of that" but reck-
on you are right. We must contrive
to get him out, somehow"
..Bet your life on that"
The. brothers put their heads to-
getber aud laughed inerrily over some
scheme for outwitting Sam, and, acc
cordingly when the train reached Hol-
! lythorn at eleven O'Clock, they ap-
preached the house OF their sister in
very stealthy manner.
Climbing the fence in the rear. they
softly opened window and obtained
access To the. pantry, where they de-
molished mince pie and quantity
of doughnuts. Then, with appetites
appeased, they removed their boots
and prepared TO investigate the "best
room," stole along the hall, W hich was
dimly lighted by The moon, ascended
the stairs and reached the door. The
faint rays of the moon disclosed Il
chair piled with clothing, and they
could distinctly trace the outlines of "a
form beneath bed clothes and had not
the remotest idea but that Sam was
enjoying sweet repose upon Hannah 5
best bed.
After whispered words were ex-
changed, and then as softly as ii shod
with down, they drew near.
''All ready" whispered George.
Quick as thought, they seized upon
the form of the sleeper, bed-clothes
and all, bore it swiftly down the
| stairs, out inIo the SNOW, aud were
just about to deposit it in huge DRIFT,
when scream broke the stiffness OF
the night, aud oh horror! it was that
of a woman Aud in theiy couster-
nation they dropped Their burden
plump into the middle of the DRIFT.
"GoOd heavens !" exclaimed George
''it isn't Sam, but some woman, as |
am sinner, and she has tainted. Run
and see Hannah"
With admirable presence OF mine he
lifted the limp form of Eva Stanley
and carried her into the house. But
her cry had already been heard. and