Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-03-08
Mr.. Joskins, Mistake.
from the Burlington Hawksys.1

Mr.. Joskins. Mistake.
From the Burlington Hawkeyel
1t was lodge night, and there bad
been an unusual press of very inn
portant business, which had kept Mr..
Joskins out much later than be had
anticipated. He came home, how
ever, in apparent good order and
we'll conditioned. Mrs. Joskins, know
ing his trustworthy character and re
liable habits, had not waited up for
him, and when he crept into bed be
was met with a very sleepy inquiry
in regard TO the hour, and the re-
proach conveyed in the question was
so slight that Mr.. Joskins instantly
repented him of the lie be had in
tended TO tell, and only told little
one, only an hour and quarter long,
saying with off-hand carlessness, that
he guessed it must be pretty near
IL, when he knew il TO be a quarter
past IL. And sleepy Mrs. Joskins,
with her weather eye on the sitting
room clock which she could see thro'
the open bedroom door, just before
Joskins turned cut the light, knew it
also but she didn't say anything. Mr..
Joskins, although he breathed very
heavily, did not sleep Immediately.
He soon began to fidget. His breath
appeared to come with difficulty. He
actually gasped.
Good land he exclaimed, isn't
this room awful closer
Mrs. Joskins didn't know. She
was awful sleepy, she said, and the
air in the room felt very comfortable
to her.
by Georgel' said Mr.. Joskins, sf-
ter a few moments of restlessness,
it's close as a vault to me. Would
it hurt if [ opened one of the win
dowsP
His spouse drowsily replied that it
wouldn't give her cold, and that he
might ventilate the room if he wish>
ed. And with this permission she
went to sleep and Mr.. Joskins got
up with great elaboration and pro-
ceeded to raise the window.
'It is up little ways now he
said, Il can get my fingers under it,
And he caught grip on it and
gave a tug at it, and it didn't come.
Mr.. Joskins was surprised. 1t new
or stuck that way before, be said.
Then he got fresh hold under it,
and lifted as though he would pull
that side of the house up by the
roots, but it didn't come.
well, l will be bowed muttered
Mr.. Joskins, with heavy accent on
the 'be.' And then he caught hold
again and showed his fingers as far
under as they weuld reach and brac-
ed himself for lift that would have
shamed o derrick.
ugh Umpi mpi um-m.puh | | 7
and with a final grunt Mr.. Joskins
sank back exhausted.
We'll, you can eat my boots, he
muttered, with some warmth, 'if /
don't lift this window up, or I'll pull
the house over. You hear me?'
And he caught hold and tugged
and lifted and strained until he was
sure that every succeeding tug Wild
either lift the side of the house or
pull his feet through the fioor He
paused again for breath, with his
head so full of blood that his feet
were cold.
by Socks he snarled, I'd give
ten million dollars if had the car.
penter here that put in that window,
| bet I'd lift him, the wooden. head.
ed idiot. Now, then
And he stopped down and caught
a fresh hold on the window and set
his teeth and shut his eyes and threw
his whole soul and body into his
arms. As he began to straighten up
he could hear q sound like tho crack
ing of timbers and it inspired him
with renewed strength. Some.
things coming, gospel sure, be said
and redoubled his effort.
At that instant he became aware
of light in the room. He raised his
closed lids and beheld Mrs. Joskins
standing beside him, like a white
robed ghost, with lamp in her hand.
At the sight of which apparition Mr..
Joskins ceased lifting but held his
grip.
Whats the natter he asked.
His wife said nothing but looked
steadily and severely in his inquir-
ing eyes. Mr.. Josklns felt troubled
under her steady gaze.
what is it2' he repeated. what
did you get out of bed for2'
She looked him strait in the eyes
for moment. John Joskins,' she
said, solemnly, go back to bed. /
will raise the window for you. Don't
say word to me. Tomorrow we
will talk about any continuation of
these lodge nights Speeches. and
COMPOUNDED, Mr.. Joskins' eyes fell,ss
they did so he beheld his hands. The
window was shut tight as wax, and
he had death grip on the broad
wlndow-sill.
well, anyhow he thought as he
crept back under the blankets,
there's one thing certain; if she had
not got up when she did, I'd q had
the whole window casing, sill and
all, showed half way up the house in
another tug.'
Which was very poor consolation
for what he knew was coming, but it
was the best be had.
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