Middletown transcript., 1876-05-13

you are fairly into the house. Giles
out now!"
Long before she had finished be
TRADE, her brothers had betaken them
selves down stairs, where they weI
into Mysteries over the joke.
"A pretty kettle of ish-!' said Georg
rolling over on the floor and letting o
peal after peal Of laughter.
II should think it was," replie
John, holding his sides. "Oh, my
But what is to be done about it; am
who do you suppose she is, George 2
"Some guest of Hannah's, of course
and young and pretty at that. | don
know how it is with you, but feel par
ticularly small and cheap-would sci
myself at a very low price !"
Cheap" rcared John, "cheap!
would actually give myself away thi
blessed minute. aud throw something il
to boot. What are we to do /? / can
say | believe I shall dig out Of thi'
place and get back to the city before
morning I haven't got the courage te
face the music"
He began hastily putting on his boots
and would have carried his threat into
execution, but for the appearance oI
Hannah, who at once asserted hel
authority.
"You are not going a single step,
John | don't wonder you feel ashamed
Of yourselves What on earth possessed
you is more than | can tell p
That's right, Han; pitch in. scold
away; I'll take any amount Of talking
Just now. | am as meek as a lamb. -
But who is it we've played SO shabby a
trick on?" replied George.
Trick | should think it was Why
it 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 warm
bed this time Of night and dropped into
a snow drift in that fashion. No won
der she cried, poor thing"
.'Cried, did she?" repeated George
with groan.
Il 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 victim of your mad
pranks." j"
"That was neat in you. Han, !" said
George Il am awful glad you hugged
the poor little thing. Wish you had
given her brotherly squeeze for me-
pom my honor do ="
''And how on earth do you expect
US to stay and take the consequences :"
asked John beginning to look serious.
II am for taking myself off instanter.
| had rather face masked battery than
this pretty teacher, after making such
fools of ourselves I"
II don't care if you had" answered
his sister, Indignantly. 1.-The only
way to do is to stay and brave it out,
both Of you. and apologize for your
rudeness."
but Sam, how the deuce are we to
get along with him You know we'll
enough, Han. we shall never hear the
end Of it from him"
IF you two can keep the secret, I'll
find a way to silence Bridget, and it is
a subject Eva will not care to have dis
cussed, and fortunately my husband is
away from home So 60 to bed and
rest contented." !"
She showed them to the bed she had
intended them to occupy, and soon the
house was once more hushed in slum-
ber.
Meanwhile their brother Sam had
reached the depot few minutes too
late. He found the train he was to
have taken already gone but on con-
sulting time table he found that an
other train started two hours later, and
80 decided to- take it. He figured to
himself, as be impatiently crowded into
an empty seat, and was being whirled
along at a rapid rate, how snugly his
brothers had ensconced themselves in
the best bed, which by right belonged
to him, he being the eldest; and con-
summated plan to get even with them.
Sometime after midnight be was de-
posted in Hollythorn, and reaching his
sisters house be secuted around till be
found way Of entrance into the kitchen
where be deposited his luggage, and re-
moved bis boots. Then he quietly stole
up stairs and opened the door Of the
best room. ..Sure enough" thought
he, "my fine chaps, you are in clover!"
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 water, and be knew that
good dousing with the icy fluid would
bring them out quick enough.
He lifted the pitcher. approached the
bed, raised it and suddenly dashed the
contents upon the sleeper.
Such a torrent of screams as be had
never before heard rang through the
house, and before Sam could collect his
scattered senses the door opened, and
Hannah, George and John rushed in,
clothed in scanty apparel-Hannah with
a frightened look upon her face and
lamp in her hand that revealed the en-
tire scene.
There sitting in bed. with her hair
dripping like mermaid. her night
dress deluged, was the young school
mistress; and there was Sam, with the
empty pitcher in his hand, the very
picture Of imbecility. staring around
like an idiot at the havoc be had made.
Hannah, George and John instantly
understood the situation and the latter
at the command Of their sister dragged
Sam away, while she assisted the drench-
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