The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-11-25

1lnG CuapS, you are IN clover! 1Of- Inere
were signs not to be mistaken of the
room being occupied Garments were
/ lying up on the chairs, and the bed was
pressed by siumbering forms
/ To think of coping with their united
strength by dragging them forth, was not
practical; but there stood the pitcher of
water, and he knew that good dousing
with the icy fluid would bring them out
/ quick enough.
IF 1 can't have my old quarters" he
chuckled, "you shan't; that | am deter
mined on. So here goes"
He lifted the pitcher, approached the
bed, raised it high. and suddenly dashed
| the entire contents upon the unconscious
/ sleeper.
! Such torrent of screams as he never
! before heard rang through the house,
and before Sam could collect his scatter
! ed senses, door after door was opened,
and Hannah, George and John rushed in
! clothed in scanty apparel-Hannah with
a frightened look on her face and lamp
in her trembling hand, that revealed the
entire scene. There, sitting up in bed,
with her hair dripping like mermaid S,
her night-dress deluged, her face color
less and looking terror, was the young
schoolmistress; and there was Sam with
the empty pitcher in his hand, 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 lat
ter at the command of their sister drag
ged Sam away, while she assisted the
drenched and terrified girl to dry cloth
ing and then took her to her own room
and bed, explaining for the second time
the mishaps of the night.
"Tll keep you with me now, my poor
child she said, though with difficulty
keeping back her laughter. Those boys
are nicely up with, at any rate; and if it
wasn't for your having been so terribly
frightened and the way my best bed has
been used l wouldn't care. They do
nothing when they come but study up
tricks to play upon each other; and,
continued she by way of apology, they
are so confined in their stores and offices
during the most of the year, that they
let entirely loose when they get out
here"
Hannah kissed her charge ard went
down to see about the boys, who, as soon
as they were fairly shut in the regions
below, began to appreciate the joke; and
now that Sam was as deep in the mud as
they were in the mire, gave no quarter
''Ill be blamed if l know what it
means" said Sam. looking in confusion
at his brothers. who were rolling and
kicking in commissions of laughter
"Wait," replied George, until Han.
comes, and see if you don't find out"
and gave vent to another peal
Sam had not smiled, and sat loo ning
the very picture of discomft and per-
plexity, but answered:
"For heavens sake, hold on, boys
am willing to admit that am badly sol d.
gone dog cheap to the highest bidder;
bat hold up long enough to tell a fellow
what it means
Means? OF course 1 will, /" continued
George, still holding his sides. ut means
that you have stolen like a thief into
Miss Eva Stanleys bed-chamber-who is
young lady teacher and 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 p
Il confess l see the point. but l can't
see the joke. It's most outrageous
shame"
At this iuncture Hannah came in and
began rating them soundly, thereby let
ting out the whole story. 1t was Sans
turn then to laugh. He struggled man
fully to retain his gravity, but the whole
was compelled to join with his brothers.
Miss Eva was not visible at the break
fast table the next morning. and Hannah
announced that she was sick with a Sc
we're cold, whereupon George groaned out
and called for a handful of peas to put in
Sans Shoes while that gentleman look
ed very contrite, and declared he wanted
to shoot himself But Hannah had her
unruly crew under her thumb for once
in her life, and had the satisfaction also
of seeing them behave with something of
dignity. They appeared never to forget
that there was an invalid in the house,
and went about on tip-toe; and Sam,
who seemed to take the entire response
bility upon his shoulders, set out daily
to New York for the choice iruit and
flowers, which he induced his sister to
convey to the young lady, with the most
abject apologies and regrets.
In couple of days Eva was able to
come down stairs. She was looking quite
pale, but lovely, and, of course, divinely,
when presented by Mrs. Carpenter to
her three brothers, who behaved quite
well, considering the unpleasantness of
their situation.
But Sam, who had broken the ice by
means OF his presents, was the most at
his ease, and by reason of his age and ex-
pitiator, and was constantly on hand to
offer Miss Eva a thousand nameless at
tentions; and before the week was out
John declared that Sam was done for"
Gone under completely l''a echoed
George, with one OF his dismal groans.
Just think of it, han-if it had not been
for that pitcher of water. Sam would
have been whole hearted this blessed
minute. The fellow meets lots of girls
much prettier than she every day, and
lots of stamps, too. They say that pity
is twin sister to love, and believe it"
"Sour grapes!'' whispered John, puck
ering his mouth.
Hannah, singing Eva's praises, COM
mended Sans choice. She recommend
ed marriage to all of them as the only
SOLDERING process she was acquainted with.
1t is piece of advice, however, they did
not appear inclined to follow, notwith-
standing Sans happy lot with the pretty
school mistress of Hollythorn.
She often reminded her brothersin-
law of her uncermonious Introduction to
snow drift at the dead OF the night,
and they retaliate with the shower-bath
given her by Sam.
That Sewing Machine.