The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-01-20

A GENUINE SURPRISE PARTY.-The first
genuine surprise party of the season came
off on Monday night there was, perhaps,
little more of the "surprse element in
it than the participants bargained for, but
as only fun, and no harm came of it. they
now laugh at their fears. The party num-
bered little over a bakers dozen-,just
tightly filling Vinsinger's big, covered mill
sled. They had four-horse outfit and
driver, and went off in the merriest mood.
1t was night unpropitious for sleigh riding;
the rain came down heavily, and they packed
close beneath the friendly covering Of the
| big sled. The first surprise experienced by
them was at Dog Wood Run, small stream
about mile above town. Here, in max
ing the steep descent from the ice upon the
border to the clear bed of the stream, the
tongue of the sled, which was low, caught
beneath the ice on the opposite side of the
narrow run. This condition of affairs sur
prised the two leaders of the team to such
an extent that they became unruly, and in
their efforts to get away, threw the tongue
horses into the water. Then began the
veriest scramble on record among the occu-
pants. They were panic stricken, and in
their excitement, lost sight of all else but
self. An uptown merchant beef shot
himself arrow-like through the circular
opening in the rear of the cover. Another,
one of the party leather, attempted to
follow him. but his shoes were too big
they wouldn't go through. An Elkton
typo cut sticks out of that wagon as though
the ID was after him. A well-known
druggist, in his fright, attempted to climb
one Of the bows that support the cover, not
knowing exactly where he was going, but
determined to get as far above trouble as
possible. We have no record as to the
manner in which the girls unloaded, but
suffice it to say they all got out: then
council of war was held. They didn't
know whether to laugh or cry-the cond-
ton of their toilets suggested the latter,
but they finally concluded to attempt the
former. Some wanted to walk home, and
declared they would never get into that
sled again; some wanted to ride back, but
the majority were in favor of prosecuting
the enterprise upon which they had set out;
so sending one pair of horses home they
again started. Nothing worthy of note
befell them, until in due time they arrived
in sight of the house, the occupants of which
they meant to surprise. Here occurred
surprise number two to our surprisers: not
a sign of life was noticeable, save the occa-
sional barking of dog or hooting of a
lively owl. The house was as dark as mid
night; evidently the good people Lad all
retired, and were, perhaps, in their first
sound nap. A chorus of calls and knocks
were re echoed in the stiffness without the
desired effect. What; no there sleepers, "
cried Bob, "awakew In reply to this
summons a window sash was raised, and
cheery voice babe them Be patient for a
moment" Light broke, lucifer was
struck, the doors were opened, and in
rushed the moist, shivering party. Fires
were struck up, provisions unpacked, ard
ere many moments all were made comforta-
BILE. After supper and three hours of splen-
did time, all hands aboard for home, the
night colder and wetter than ever, all Sit
ting in the bottom of the sled shivering
Home at last-fifteen played out people of
both sexes; two used-up horses, and lot
of young-who go around next day and
say they had "mense time"
t5B- Mrs. Jones, how is your health this
morning? Thank you, madam, much i'm
proved | bought a bottle of DR.. Bulls
Cough Syrup last night, aud after the first
dose my cough was checked. l slept well,
and have not coughed once this morning.