The enquirer southerner., 1874-07-31
SITTING UP EOR THE COMET.
BY OLIVE THoRNE.

of August-all six of US. But
auntie wasn't to know a word of it,
by no means. We knew we'll
enough that her good common
sense would send us off to bed, with
the remark that "we'd see it soon
enough if it struck US that night. :"
So We went around all day whis~
pering in corners and otherwise
making most elaborate attempts at
secrecy. Auntie was unusually
dull for her, and sent US to-bed es
usual, without suspicion.
Our plan was to rendezvous in
the school room, and during the
day we had surreptitiously and on
various pretenses abstracted sundry
stores Of cookies, pickles, peaches,
etc, which We hid in the desks ;
for we had heard that people who
sat up all night got ferociousiy
hungry. Books and papers also
we're provided, to help while away
the hours.
Mini and I were the first to ar
rive, and We came softly in the
dark, and sat down to wait for the
rest. Now cutter and intense ST.
lence was the stern condition im>
posed on every aspirant for that
nights honors, and, as Auntie had
not yet gone to bed, the necessity
was especially binding.
Next to come was Harry-osten-
tatiously tip>toeing down the stairs,
which developed new capacities for
squeaking at every step.
Mercy on US! I never heard
those stairs groan so' exclaimed
Mini.
But on he came, and reached the
door. Now that door had pecu-
liar and especial creak of its own !;
but long practice had taught the
children of the house how to open
it in silence. Unfortunately, we
had forgotten to explain
to Harry-who was a visitor-and
he opened the door with supernas
tural caution, the result of which
was an elaborate and long-drawn.
cut scrauch of the very worst kind.
sSh-h-h-h = we both broke out, in
sepulchral tones, like hoarse stcam>
engines.
Who is it?'
Its me- family.
who's me 2
Harry. Where are you;' was
the reply.
well don't make so much noise,
for gookness sake!'
L amt. | am as still as
mouse In proof of which he stum>
bied over a chair.
EThunder ? he growled. why
don't you keep your old chairs out
of the way? And why don't you
have light?' tragically.
Phinney is the committee on
lights said Mini. 'And he went
downstairs to get one that was full
enough to burn all night. But |
guess he had to wait to bore an oil
we'll. He's been gone long enough.
Harry and l laughed, and just
then we heard Auntie's door.
There's Mother' cried Mini
excitedly.
We stuffed our hankerchiefs into
our mouths, and sat, like other
guilty conspirators, in the dark
while Auntie's innocent footsteps
went through tie hall. After she
had returned to her room another
step came on. The door was open>
ed scientifically by one who knew
how, and never made a sounnd.
This was how: First the knob
was turned very gently, till unlatch-
ed and then the door was violent,
ly and suddenly jerked open.-
Phinney entered, and shut the door
by the same process ; and that was
a nicer operation, because he must
bring up the jerk before the door
hit the casing.
He had the lamp and some
matches, which he gave Mini to
light, while he took off the lamp
chimney. The match was one Of
those diablical inventions made for
the torment of nervous people,
which goes off with a crack like a
fire-cracker. So, when Mini drew
it across desk, we all jumped as
though we were shot, dropped books.
upset stools, and otherwise kept
perfectly still
Then, of course, we laughed ; and
this was buta specimen of our death
ly silence. Phinney stepped or
Alice's dress on the stairs, throw.
ing her down with a crash; Harry
and Lila, creeping along like bur
glars through the hall, coliided, an(
dropped books with noise such al
only books can make Alice kicked
over water>pitcher in her room
and Seth stumbled over his father
boots at his door. After awhil,
we settled down, and agreed t.
divide into three watches of tw'
hours each, with two in a watch
The rest went to bed, and Mini AM
l sat down to our books. Aunt
would now and then promenade tn,
hall, She seemed to be restless
Iguess she felt excitement in tn
air AS soon as we heard her door
we turned down the lamp till but
spark was left, and held cur breat