Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-05-04
MISTAKES OF A NIGHT.
I" That's What's the Matter with
Hannah.c

Hannah.c
Introduction TO q SnOw-Drift and
ShOwer.Bath-HOw n school Mis-
tress was "Dueked," and wha
Came OF Ii.
In the thriving village of Holythorn Their,
were Gas is common in such places) 8
church, postofice, couple of stores, and {
district school, being taught by a young
lady who had a widowed mother and broth
ers and sisters 10 assist in supporting.
For the sake Of economy, Miss Eva Stan
ley "boarded arouDdn among the scholars
and was considered q paragon among the
teachers. Her. father had been respecta-
BILE mechanic who died after about two
years illness, which bitterly impoverished
the family. Eva had, however, (she being
the eldest) received good, plain education
before the great calamity came upon them
and, noble-heArted and unselfish, began hel
work of assisting in their support. a-
The last week previous TO the holiday va.
cation she had been boarding with a Mrs
Carpenter, who was making gigantic pre-.
parations for guests she expected from New
York.
"You never met my brothers, Eva?" she
said, and then began TO give description Of
them. "Sam, George, and Johnny, the
youngest, and such times as they do have
when they get out here to rest and rusti.
cate, as they call i'll But, dear me, don't
get much rest or peace, for they are like a
lot of boys let 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 win
dow and pelted George out Of my best room
with sDowls You see there is always a strife
for that room, for the bed is 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 Intend to keep
you in that room, and that will end the con-
troversy. am so afraid that they will
break or ruin something that l am glad
you are here. 1t may keep them in check
a little.n
81 would just as soon occupy any other
room, Mrs. Carpenter, and do not wish to
incommode your brothers-have no right
to do So"
"No you shan't, Eva," peremutorily ex-
claimed her hostess, sand what is the use
OF your going home vacation week? You
can stay here just as well as not and do
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 tomorrow the
brothers, young, ardent and full of life,
were goiDg to be there. But without send
ing any word of their intention, they had
concluded to take the evening train, which
would land them at Hollythorn 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 upon earth why he should
not have been along" said George.
mo, for he told me this morning be
certainly would be on hand" replied John.
81 can't make it out unless he has taken
the five O'Clock train by mistake"
"Not bit Of it," laughed John, who fam
cied be understood the whole programme.
"It's more likely he took that train on pur-
pose to get into Hannah's spare bed room,
and make US take up with straw ticks and
feathers"
81 didn't think of that, but reckon you
are right. We must contrive someway to
get him out somehow"
"Bet your life on that"
"The brothers put their heads together
and laughed merrily over some scheme for
outwitting Sam, and accordingly when the
train reached Hollythorn about IL O'Clock,
they approached the house Of their sister in
in very stealthy manner.
Climbing the fence in the rear, they
softly opened window and obtained &C
cess to the pantry, where they demolished
r,ia Of nr7ta
Then, with appetites aupeased, they re-
moved their boots and prepared to inves.i-
gate the "best roOm"-stole along the hall,
which was dimly lighted by the moon, as
cended the stairs and reached the door.
The faint rays of the moon disclosed chair
piled with clothing, and they could dis
tinctly trace the outlines of form beneath
the bed clothes, with not the remotest idea
but that Sam was enjowirg sweet repose
upon Hannah's best bed.
A few whispered words were exchanged,
and then as softly and lightly as if shod
with down they drew near.
"All readyv 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 we're just about 10 deposit it in
a huge drift, when shrill scream broke the
stiffness of the night, and oh! horror! it was
that Of womanl And in their consterna-
ton they dropped their burden and jumped
into the middle ofthe drift.
"Good heavenl" exclsimed- George, sit
isn't Sam, but some woman, as / am sim
ner, and she has tainted, Run and call
Hannah"
With admirable presence of mind be lift
ed the limp form of Eva Stanley, and car
ried her into the house. But her cry had
already been heard, and the inmates came
rushing into the hall just as be appeared.
"George! john! for goodness sake, what
does this mean, and who have you there?
asked Mrs. Carpenter in breath.
BLESSED if l know" began George;
"thought it was Sam, SO we concluded to
give him dose in the snow for getting in
to the best bed and trying to euchre us.
Quick! believe she has tainted"
"Just you look" scolded Hannah, as she
assisted in depositing Eva once more upon
the bed from which she has been so uncer-
enormously taken; beginning your tricks
upon each other before you fairly get into
the house. Clear out now!''
Long before she had got through with
her TRADE her discomftted brothers had be-
taken 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 laghter.
81 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" @
GSome guest of Hannah's OF course, and
young and pretty at that. l don't know
how it is with you, but l feel particularly
small and extremely chesp-would sell my
self at a very low price,"
"Cheapv" roared John; "Cheap! wo ulC
actually give myself away this blessed min
ute, and throw something in TO boot. Wha
we are to do, can't say; but believe
shall dig out of this place and get back to tn
city before morning. | haven't got tht
courage to face the music, so I'll get up anc
git"
he began hastily putting on his boots ant
would have put his threat into execution
but for the appearance of Hannah, who q
once asserted her authority.
| "1ou are not going single STEP" sal
she; "but | don't wonder you feel ashamec
of yourselves. What on earth possessed yo
is more than can tell"
"That's right Han, pitch in, scold away
I'll take any amount just now for am Q
| meek as lamb. But who is it we playe
such trick on?" replied George.