The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-02
Toms DeluUp.

Toms Deluge.
Once there was n troublesome boy,
named Tom, who was always III mischief.
Not only that, but you never knew where
to have him, for he was an original
youth, and broke out constantly in llnex-
pected places. He put the cat in walnut
shell boots and painted her pink and
green in stripes. He took the wheels
out of the clock to make penny-spin-
ners ;" and even that was not the worst
thing he did.
One day his mamma and grown-up sis
tiers went out, and Master Tom was left
alone in his glory. They didn't often
commit such an oversight, since there
was no telling what might happen before
they came back however, at first he
happened to do nothing more than to sit
on the cover of the sewing machine,
drawing horses all over the hy-leaves Of
his sisters favorite copy of Tennyson.
All ut once a bright idea struck him.
He slapped down the book and jumped
off the sewing-machine, exclaiming,
"Good know what I'll do / mean
to set the water running in the bath-tub,
and play with my Noah's Ark !"
Thereupon Master Tom jerked open
the drawer where his toys were kept,
jerked out the ark, examining in several
stray animals that were kicking up their
heels in various corners, and scampered
down to the bathroom, talking to him
self all the while.
"Now then, l must turn on both
faucets, SO as to hurry up the water as
fast as possible. Goody How deep it
is getting Make haste, Noah, don t
stop to count the grasshoppers, but pile
into your old ark and shut the door
quick There-now you're off-but it
ought to be raining-if you're Noah in
the ark. Ohio! III start the shower
bath going!" and, presently, highly
respectable shower was pattering and
rafting down, while Tom jumped up and
down III perfect ecstacy of delight.
All Mt once the front-door bell rang.
81 wonder who that is 2" thought Tom.
He listened.
ooh, there's Uncle George!" he
cried :" I'm going down to see him this
minute :" and forgetting all about poor
Noah, away he scampered, slamming the
bathroom door behind him, and leaving
the water still running.
His uncle, with whom he was great
favorite, was waiting in the hall.
"Well, young monkey" he said, rs
Toms curly head appeared at the top of
the stairs, do you want to take drive
to the park with me3"
ooh, don't I though - cried Tom.
"Please, may 1 drive the buckle 90
by which he meant being allowed to hold
the reins where they were buckled to-
gether.
eyes just as you like-only hurry.
1 don't want to keep the horse stand
ing"
Away flew Tom, but only to appear
again in two minutes, and to scramble
into the buggy like a lamplighter, when
off they went Meantime, the water was
rising higher and higher in the bath
tub, and presently brimmed over and
began to trickle slowly upon the floor.
1t ought to have passed OF through the
top drain, but, unlucllily, the day before
Master Tom had amused himself by
plugging up the little holes. Soon q
slow but steady stream was creeping I'M
der the door, making little alternate
puddles and waterfalls down the front
stairs. And still nobody came home.
After about an hour of this, John, the
black waiter, came into the dining-room
to Law the table for dinner. He was just
standing by the sideboard arranging AZ
elegant pyramid of fruit in glass DISH
when crash, bang down fell big, squar,
yards of plaster on top of his poor pate
and knocked him flat upon the floor
The water had gradually soaked through
the boards, and plaster ceilings will melt
you know, if not quite as easily as
sugar, yet just as surely if you keep a
them long enough.
Up rushed the cook leaving the roast
ing turkey to take care of itself; and
: when she saw the condition of the din
| ing-room, and poor John lying senseles'
: on the floor, she began to scream muir
. der. fire and thieves at the top of hel
voice, which so alarmed the housemai(
2 that she dropped her best buster int
! the parlor fire, and rushed all the way
{ down the street calling for the police be
i fore it occurred to her to fad out wha
= was the matter
| At this moment Toms mother and sis
S ters returned, and when they found the
> front door wide open, and stream o
/. water running along the entry and dow
0 the front steps, they were very nearl,
: petrified with astonishment. just thei
Y M, came Tom and his uncle, who were
e walking home from the stables, wher
: they had left the horse and buggy.
. "Why, what is the matter here T. ex
4 claimed his uncle; have your pipe
$ burst that you re all overhowed hk
|. this?"
Il Poor Tom he turned as red as bee
e and then Us white as paper, but he was
truthful little chap with all his faults
e and in minute he burst out with, ION
n mamma oh, uncle / did tits m.
), dsluge oh, OH"
g Your delugel"
T, eyes; set the water running in tn
d bathroom to play deluge with Noah
'e ark, and / went out to ride and forge
>, all about it 7"
Ie "Did ever 1 hearl" shouted Uncl
George and rushing upstairs, tw