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


the description of the old gentleman's angry
face and his irate behavior.
/ "Here" l said, in triumph, sis my
trophy" and held up the nightcap.
Never shall l forget that moment
/ brother and sister stared at it for one
second, and then Tom, looking vacantly at
/ me, Immediately went into an hysterical fit
of laughter. His face began to grow quite
/ black, and the tears rolled down his cheeks.
! My face presented anything but laugh
/ ing appearance, for | was struck with
amazement at his behavior. At last, with
what little breath he had left, he managed
to get out the words
It's-the-guv-nor's- night-cap"
! AS he said this he pointed to small
label inside the cap, which had not noticed
before, and there, sure enough, were the
words: ct. Grumblethorp, Esq, Grum-
blethorp Hail.
Reader, have you ever wished the earth
to open and swallow you up? How heartily
did | wish it at that moment. l saw the
whole affair at glance;-I had been play
ing practical joke upon the gentleman in
whose house l was sitting, and had been
describing him in the most ridiculous light
to his daughter. How | hated Tom for
laughing, (his sister was nearly as bad, by
the way, whilst l sat turning alternately
red and pale, considering what on earth
was to be done. At this moment a servant
entered the room.
GA telegram for Miss Grumblethorp.'
She hastily looked over it, and then read
it aloud to u.s.
"Shall come by the $50 to morrow morn
ing. Some young jackanapes have played
last train to night
At last found words. "Tom," | said
81 must fly. Miss Grumblethorp, cannot
sufficiently apologize to you for"
ooh. you need not apologize to me, nor
must you go either. Tom. you must devise
some escape out of the dilemma"
cit would certainly never do for the
governor to recognize you; he'd never for
give you, and would cut me off with shil
ling. Oh. have It'll sentence you, in
punishment, to cut off those whiskers and
moustache-he'l never know you then"
"Never' l said, with determination.
"Fm not a vain man, but will never vol
UNFAIRLY make fright Of myself
sob. Pm sure you'd look much better
without them said Miss Grumblethorp;
"besides, remember the skating party to-
morrow; l want you to teach me so much.
You really must not 60"
was not proof against this. The ador-
able Miss Minnie actually wishing me to
stay. Again, recollected that l had no
other invitation for Christmas, and all my
family were spending the Winter abroad
Under these circumstances, | determined
to risk all, and stay where was sure to
enjoy myself.
Next morning rose early, had "clean
shave, and borrowed pair of light-blue
spectacles. When l met Miss Grumble-
thorp, on my way to breakfast, she declared
the disguise was capital, telling me, at the
same time, that her father had arrived, and
was in the breakfast room. l was formally
introduced, and by the way that he received
me it was evident he had not recognized
me in the least.
always glad to see Toms friends, :"
said the old boy, in quite cheerful tone.
''Thank goodness he doesn't choose for
companions such puppies as those who
insulted me yesterday. | wonder whether
they consider themselves gentlemen ~
In this strain he continued to talk all
breakfast time, whilst answered with per-
feet gravity. not daring to look at Minnie,
for felt sure she was enjoying the joke.
My story is nearly over. l enjoyed the
skating party thoroughly, for spent most
of the day in teaching Minnie. also &C
companied her the next evening to ball,
where found she could move much more
quickly and gracefully than on the ice.
X
am now married; and though l have
since grown my whiskers, yet my father
in-law has never suspected that was "the
young iackanapes that made him late for
the train" The has never mentioned the
burnt cork business, and has always been
so kind to me that | have heartily repented
/ of it.