Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-02-12

"
soon the house was once moro hushed
In slumber.
/ Meanwhile their brother had reached
the depot few minutes too late. He
found the train hel was to have taken
had already gone, but on consulting a
time table, he ascertained that anoth-
er train started two hours later, and
30 he decided to take it. He fig
ured to himself, rs he impatiently
crowded into an empty seat and was
whirled along at rapid rate, how
snugly his brothers had ensconed them
selves in the best rom, which by right
belonged to him, he being the eldest,
and consummated plan to get even
with them.
Some time after midnight he was
deposited at Hollythorn, and reaching
his sisters house, he secuted around
until he found way of entrance into
the kitchen. where he deposited his
luggage and removed his boots. Then
he quietly stole upstairs, and opened
the door of the best room. '1Sure
enough" thought he, "my fine chaps,
you are in clover!' for there were
signs not to he mistaken of the room
being occupied. Garments weae lying
upon the chairs, and the bed was pressed
by slumbering forms.
To think of coping with their united
strength by dragging them forth, was
not practicable; but. there stood the
pitcher of water, and he knew that q
good dousing with the icy fluid would
bring them out quick enough
eff I can't have my old quarters"
he chuckled, "you shan't; that am
determined on. So here goes.
He lifted the pitcher, approached the
bed, raised it high, and suddenly dash
ed the entire contents upon the uncon-
scious sleeper.
Such torrent of screams as he nev-
er before heard rang through the house
and before Sam could collect his scat
tered senses, door af.er door was
opened, and Hannah, George and John
rushed in clothed in scanty apparel
Hannah with frightened look on her
face and lamp in her trembling hand,
that revealed the entire scene. There,
sitting up in bed, with her hair drip
ping like mermaid's, her night.dress
deluged, her face colorless 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, ands the
latter at the command of their sister,
dragged Sam away, while she assisted
the drenched and terrified girl to dry
her clothing, and then took her to her
own room and bed, explaining for the
second time the mishaps of the night.
"pll keep you with me now, my
poor child" she said, though with diff
Guilty keeping back her laughter.
"Those boys are nicely up with, at
any rate; and if it wasn't for your hav-
ing been so terribly frightened, and the
way my best bed has been used, I
wouldn't care. They do nothing when
they come but study up tricks to play
upon each other, and they are so con-
fined to their stores and offices during
most of the year, that they let entirely
loose when they get out here. "
Hannah kissed her charge aud went
down to see about the boys, who, as
soon as they were fairly shut up in the
regions below, began to appreciate the
Joke; and now that Sam was as deep in
the mad as they were in the mire, gave
no quarter.
"in be blamed if I know what it
means" said Sam looking in confusion
at his brothers, who were rolling and
kicking in colvulsions Of laughter.
Watt 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 looking
the picture of discomfort and perplexi-
ty, but answered:
g For Heavens sake, hold on boys! l
am willing to admit tha I am badly sold,
gone dog cheap to the highest bidder;
but hold up long enough to tell a fell
low what it means
"1Ieans? OF course / will, contin-
ued George, still holding his sides
f" 1t means that you havo stolen like :,
thief into Miss Eva Stanley's bed-cbam-
ber-who is a young lady teacher and
boarder around that this is her week
here and thinking it was your humble
servant and Johnny snug in bed, and
made grand mistake. How do yon
like it, Sam"
81 confess I see the point, but /
can't see the joke. It's most outra-
geous shame
AT this iuncturo Hannah came in and
began rating them soundly, thereby
letting out the whole story. 1t was
Sans turn to laugh. He struggled
manfully to retain his gravity, but
the whole thing was so supremely ln-
dicrous that he was compelled to join
his brothers.
Miss Eya was not visible at the break
fast table the next morning, and Han
nah announced that she was sick with
La severe cold, whereupon George
n..II1I f~x n l. rAf,vl At