The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-05-20

VIC uoOto. hCu uC quiCtiy otOiC up
! stairs and opened the door Of the best
room. "Sure enough" thought be.
my 6ne chaps, you are in clover!"
for there MOTTO be-mistsken signs of
the room being occupied. Garments
were lying upon chairs, and the bed
was pressed by slumbering forms
To think Of coping with their uni
ted strength by dragging them fourth
was not practicable; but there stood
the pitcher Of water, and he knew
that good dousing with the icy
fluid would bring them out quick
J enough.
"If can't have my old quarters"
be chuekled, "you shan't-that
] am determined on. SO here goes"
He lifted the pitcher, approached
tho bed. raised the pitcher high. and
suddenly da shed the entire contents
upon the sleeper.
Such torrent of screams as he had
never before heard rang through the
house, and before Sam could collect
bis scattered senses, door after door
opened, and Hannah, John and
George rushed in-in scanty apparel;
Hannah with frightened look on her
face, and lamp in her hand that re-
vealed the entire scene.
| There, sitting up in led, with her
hair dripping like q mermaid, her
night dress deluged, her face colorless
and looking terrified, was the school
mistress, and there was Sam with the
empty pitcher in his hand, the very
picture OF imbecilety, staring like an
idiet at Miss Eva and the havoc he
had made.
Hannah, George and John instant
~ comprehended the situation, and
the latter, at the command of their
sister, dragged Sam away while she
assisted the drenched and terrified
girl to dry her clothing, and then
took her to her own room and bed,
explaining for the second time the
misbpas OF the night.
"I'll keep you with me, now, my
child" she said, though with difficult
ty keeping back her laughter.
Those boys are nicely come up with,
any rate; and if it wasn't for your
having been so terribly frightened
and the way my best bed has been
used wouldn't care. They do moth
ing when they come home but study
up some tricks to play upon each
other; and" continued she, they
are 30 confined in their Offices and
stores during most of the year that
they let entirely loose when they are
out here; but you are safe now"
Hannah kissed her charge, and then
went down to see about the boys, |
who, as soon IS they were fairly shut
up in the region below, began to
thoroughly appreciate the joke. and
now that Sam was as deep in the
mud IS they in the mire. gave no
quarter.
"I'll be blamed IL l knew what it
ell means," said Sam, looking at
his brothers, who were rolling and
kicking in the convulsions Of laugh
ter.
"Wait," replied George, until !
Hannah comes, and see if you don't |
End out!" and he gave way to anoth-
er peal.
Sam had not smiled, and sat look.
ing the very picture Of discomfort
and perplexity, but answered
For heavens sake hold on, boysl |
I'm willing to- admit that ! nm badly
sold-going dog-cheap to the highest
bidder-but hold on long enough to
tell fellow what it means"
Means? OF course WILL" contin-
ued George, ut means that you have
stolen like q thief into Miss Eva
Stanlev's chsmber-who is q lady
teacher boarding around" that this
is her week here; and thinking it was
your humble servant and Johnny
snug in bed, you attempted to drown
US out, and made grand mistake.
How do you like it, SAM"
II confess / see the point, but
can't see the joke. 1t is most out
rsgeous shame"
At this juncture Hannah came in
and began rating them soundly,
thereby letting out the whole story.
II was Sans turn then to laugh, and
the whole thing was so supremely lu-
dicrous that be was compelled to join
his brothers.
Miss Eva was not visible at the
breakfast table the next morning
and Hannah announced that she was
sick with . severe cold; whereupon .
George groaned out and called for q
handful of peas to put in Sans
shoes. while the gentleman looked
very contrite, and John declared be .
wanted to shoot himself. But Han
nah had the unruly crew under her
Ihumb for once in her life, and had I
the satisfaction of seeing them behave
with something Of dignity. They
to never forget that there
was an invalid in the house, and
went on tip-toe about; and Sam who
seemed to take the responsibility up I
,n bis shoulders, sent of to New I
York for choice fruit and flowers,
which be induced bis sister to convey G
70 the young lady with the most 9
abject apologies and regrets.
In Q couple OF days Eva was able e
70 come down stairs. She was look. s
ng quite pale. but lovely, and of c
course divinely, when presented by @
Mrs. Carpenter to her three brothers
who behaved quite Veil considering Q
he unpleasantness of their situs- Il
ion. y
But Sam who had broken the ice @
~ means Of his presents, was most at b
.sse, and by virtue Of his age and ex- il
,erienco constituted himself the pro- I
,itiator. and was constantly ON hand 4
o offer Miss Eva q thousand name p
ess attentions; and before the week q
vas out John declared in confidence f
o Hannah that "Sam was done for!" n
"Gone under completely" echoed v
ieorge. with one of bis dismal grosns. q
"Just think of it, Han, if it had not q
'een for that pitcher Of water Sam 4
would have been heart whole this I
,lessed minute. The fellow meets u
OTIS of girls much prettier than she, c
very day, and with lots Of stamps, v
mi | \