The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-12-02

with their appetites appeased, they removed
their boots and prepared to investigate The
.'bcst room" stole along the hall, when was
dlmly lighted by the moon, aScended INT
stairs and reached the door. The faint rays
of the moon disclosed a chair piled up witt
clothing, and they could distinctly trace thu
outlines of a form beneath the bed-clothes
A few whispered words were exchanged ant
then as lightly as if they were shod will
down they drew near to the bed.
"All ready !" whispered George.
Quick as thought thy seized upon tht
form OF the sleeper, bedclothes and all, bort
it swiftly down stairs and out into the snow
and were about to deposit 1t in huge drift
when shrill scream broke the stiffness o
the night and oh, horror; 1t was that OF I
woman! And in their CONSERVATION they
dropped their burden plump into the mlddl'
of the drift.
Good heavensv exclaimed George, 81
isn't Sam, but some woman, as m sinner
and she has tainted Run and call Hannah J
With admirable presence of mind he lifteG
the limp form of Eva Stanley and carried i
into the house. But they had already beer
heard, and the inmates came rushing into the
hall just as he appeared
"George! John! for goodness sake, wha!
does this mean, and who have you there
asked Mrs. Carpenter all in a breath.
"Blessed if | know" began George;
Thought it was Sam, 50 VIC concluded to give
him douse In the snow tor getting into the
best bed and trying to euchre us. Quick! |
believe she has tainted"
"Jnst like YOU" scOlded Hannah rs she
assisted in depositlng Eva once more In the
bed from which she had been so unceremonl-
lously taken; "beginning your old tricks up
lon each other before you are fairly into the
house. Clear out now"
Long before she finished her tiraae, her
brothers had betaken themselves down stairs,
where they went into Mysteries over the joke.
"a pretty kettle of fish," said George, roll
ing over on the floor, and letting off peal af-
ter peal of laughter.
81 should think it was replied John,
holding his SIDES. ooh, my! But what Is
Ito be done about il and who do you suppose
she is, George?'
Some guest of ITannahs, Of course; and
Young and pretty at that. | don't know how
it is with you, but feel particularly small
and cheap-would sell myself at a very low
price"
Cheap roared John, "cheap! | would
actually give myself away this blessed min.
ute and throw something in to boot. What
are we to do? l can't say. 1 believe shall
dig out of this place and get back to the city
before morning. / haven't got the courage
TO face the music"
| 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, John
don't wonder you feel ashamed of yourselves.
What on earth possessed you Is mere than /
can tell'
That's right, Han; pitch in, scold away
I'll take any amount of talking just now.
I'm as meek as a lamb. But who is it we've
played so shabby trick on?' replied
George.
Trick! / should think it was. Why 1t is
Eva Stanley, our school teacher, and this is
her week to board here. | don't believe the
poor girl will ever get over her fright. 1t Is
too bad; shouldn't wonder If she had taken
her DEATH being dragged out of a warm bed
this time of night, and dropped into snow
drift in that fashion. No wonder she cried,
fpoor thing"
"Crled, did she9" repeated George, with a
groan.
al should think she did just took her
in my arms and let her have her cry out,
while explained to her how she happened
to be mistaken for Sam, and became the vic.
tim of your mad FRANKS"
THAT was neat in you, Ham," said George.
81 am awful glad you Rugged the poor little
thing. Wish you had given her a brotherly
squeeze for me-'pon honor do
"And how on earth DO you expect us to
stay and take the consequences" asked
John, beginning to look serious. 81 am for
taking myself off instanter. | had rather face
a masked battery than this pretty teacher, af
ter making such fools of ourselves
81 don't care If you had" answered his
sister, Indignantly. "The only way to do is
to brave 1t out, both of you, and apologize
for your rudeness."
But Sam; how the deuce are we to get
along with him? You know well enough,
Han, we shall never hear the last Of it from
him"
III you two can keep the secret, I'll find
way to silence Bridget and 1t is Il subject
Eva will not care to have discussed, and fortu-
nately my husband is away from home. SO
go to bed and rest contented.'
She showed them the room she had intend
ed 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 taker., had gone, but
on consulting a timetable, le found that an.
other train started two hours later, and so de.
cided to take It, He figured to himself, as
he impatiently crowded into an empty seat,
and was being wlirled along at a rapid rate,
how snugly histbrothers had ensconced them.
selves in the Oest best, which by right be-
longed to HIM, he being the eldest; and con-
plan to get even with them.
Some tlme after midnight he was deposited
in Hfollythorn, and reaching his sisters
house, he secuted around until he found an
entJance into the kitchen, where he deposited
hiS baggage and removed his boots. Then
tfe quietly stole up stairs and opened the
door Of the best room. "Sure enough"
thought he, my fine chaps, you are in Glow
er!" For there were not to be mistaken
signs OF the room being occupied
To think of coping with their united
strength by dragging them forth was not
practicable, but there stood the pitcher of wa.
ter, and he knew that good douslng with
the icy fluid would bring them out quick
enough.
He lifted the pitcher, approached the bed,
raised it and suddenly dashed its contents