The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-09-23

morning. [ haven't got the courage
to face the music, so II get up and
get.
He began hastily putting. on his
boots, and would have put his threat
into execution, but for the appearance
of Hannah. who at once asserted her
authority.
You are not going a single step,
said she; but | don't wonder you feel
ashamed Of yourselves. What on
earth possessed you is more than L
can tell
That's right, Hannah; pitch in,
scold away. I'll take any amount just
now, for | am as meek as lamb. But
who is it We have played so shabby
trick on?" replied George.
Trick? [ should think it was
Why, it is Eva Stanley. just as nice
young thing as ever lived. She is our
school teacher, and this is her week
to board here; and | knew well enough
you boys would be squabbling over
that room as usual, SO | put her In
there, little thinking you would come
here in this stealthy manner.
Eva Stanley. Whew! \ pretty
school teacher and repeating his
sisters words. he gave lugubrious
groan.
Has she recoyered?' questioned
John. vainly endeavoring to restrain
his laughter at the wry faces his
brother was making.
Yes. | soon brought her to; but |
don't believe the poor girl will ever
get over her fright She said that the
first thing she knew was teing lifted
up and carried out, and she was so
| !, .,1a al hat 81 10 n
a sound: but the moment the cold air
| struck her. she realized that she was
being abducted, or something of the
kind, and had just time to utter a
scream when she tainted. 1t is too
| bad, | declare boys. | shouldn
wonder if she had taken her death,
| being dragged out of warm bed this
time of night and dropped into a snow
| drift in that fashion. No wonder she
| cried, poor thing
Cried, did she?' repeated George
with groan.
Il should think she did. l just
took her in my arms and let her have
her cry out. while | explained to her
how she happened to be mistaken Tor
Sam. and so became the victim of your
mad pranks.'
That was neat of you, Hannah.
I'm awful glad you hugged the poor
little thing. Wish you had just given
her brotherly squeeze for me-pon
my honor | do Oh dearl | am In
sackcloth and ashes from this time,
henceforward and forever, replied
George, with another dismal groan.
And how on earth do you expect
us to stay and axe the consequences"
asked John, beginning to look serious.
II am for taking myself off instanter.
I had rather face masked battery
than this pretty teacher. after making
such fools Of ourselves.
Il don't care if you had, answered
his sister, Indignantly. The only
way to do is TO brave it out, both OF
you, and apologize for your rudeness.
She is not bit stupid, but pleasant
and merry, and no doubt you will have
jolly laugh over the affair.
But Sam? How the duce are we
to get along with him? You know
well enough, Hannah, we shall never
hear the last of it from him; that it
will be brought up at all times and In
all places. .
IF you two can keep a secret, I'll
| find a way to silence Bridget, and it is
| subject Eva will not care to have
| discussed and fortunately my husband
is away from home. So go to bed and
rest contented.
She showed them a room she had
intended them to occupy, and soon
| the house was once more hushed In
! slumber.
Meanwhile their brother Sam had
| reached the depot few minutes too
| late He found the train he was to
have taken gone. but upon consulting
| IA time table. he ascertained that an
other started two hours later, and so
decided to take it. He figured to
himself, as he impatiently flung him
self into an empty seat and was being
whrled along at rapid rate, how
snugly his brothers had ensconsed
| themselves in the best room, which by
| right belonged to him, he being the
eldest. and consummated plan to be
even with them.
Some time after midnight he was
deposited at Hollythorn, and reach
ing his sisters house, he secuted
around until he found a way of en-
trance into the kitchen, where he de-
posted his luggage and removed his
boots. Then he quietly stole up stairs
and opened the door of the best room.
Sure enough" thought he, my fine
chaps. you are in clover" For there
were not to be mistaken signs of the
room being occupied Garments We're
lying upon chairs, and the bed was
pressed by slumbering forms.
To think of coping with their united
strength by dragging them forth, was
not practicable; but there stood the
pitcher of water. and he knew that
good dousing with the icy fluid would
bring them out soon enough.
III / cant have my old quarters,
he chuckled, you shan't, that L am
determined on So here goes.
He lifted the pitcher, approached
the bed. raised it high, and suddenly
dashed the contents upon the sleeperi
Such a torrent of screams as lie new
er before heard rang through the
house. and before Sam could command
his scattered senses, door alter door
opened. and Hannah George, and
John rushed in. clothed in scanty ap-
parel-Hannah with frightened look
on her face, aud lamp IN her trem-
bling hand, that revealed the entire
scene.
There, sitting up in bed, with her
hair dripping ike a mermaid, her
night dress deluged, her face colorless-
and eyes looking terror, was the young
school mistress, and there was Sam,
the very picture of imbecility. staring
about like an idiot at Miss Eva and
the havoc he had made.
Hannah. George and John instantly
comprehended the situation, and the
latter, at the command of their sister.
dragged Sam away, while she assisted