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

HldJnetndIlcaHf ODSerfeu, approximately
happy. The old gentleman, however, had
not yet vented all his wrath, but kept on
matchmaking the snow and the railway
people at intervals. After we had warmed
ourselves, Stretcher proposed that we should
have some songs; but as no one volunteered,
I suggested that We should get on our way
sooner if we all went out and helped to
clear away the snow from the line. To
this all agreed with the exception of our
amiable friend, of course.
We had worked away merrily for about
an hour, and were congratulating ourselves
on being able to start again, when Jack
came running up with very pleased ex-
preston of countenance, and as he tapped
me on the shoulder, ] remembered that he
Fred" he said, give an idea
keep it then," l replied, "for it is so
rare commodity with you, that l would
not deprive you of it for the world"
"Dont chaf, and I'll tell you all about
it. went up into the room at the station
just now, and found our friend. the old
boy, fast asleep in his chair, completely
collapsed under the soporific effects of the
fire, and a glass of brandy andwater. l
Immediately ran into the village and bought
these" he said, showing me handful of
screws, gimlet, and a screw-driver.
"What in the name of everything ridicu-
lous do you want these for? ' asked.
"Don't you see? we shall be able to
start again directly, now that the line is
clear; we will meanwhile run up stairs, and
screw the old gentleman firmly into the
room-the train goes on-we are revenged
for his surly behavior to us, and he will
then learn that "old gentlemen should not
be ill-tempered at Christmas time"
"Capital"' said, always ready to fall in
with practical joke; "let US be off at
once
We certainly found the old gentleman in
as Morphean a torpor as we could wish.
His feet were propped up on chair, whilst
his boots were drying, and he was breath
ing with his mouth wide open, in a rather
apoplectic manner.
"Shall put SNOWFALL into each of his
boots ." l said.
"No! that would be too much of good
thing, but I'll tell you what you shall do;
you're rather swell at drawing, aren't
you? III just burn the end of that beer
bottle cork, and you shall artistically adorn
his face
"That is splendid" he whispered, as 1
finished off with giving him moustache,
Which turned up in a facetious manner
Just move that looking glass, and put it
SO that he may admire himself directly he
wakes; and now let us be off,
We walked on tiptoe to the door. The
hinges began to creak; and cold as the
weather was, faint Precipitation began to
develop itself on my forehead, as l noticed
was, however, only to turn his head on to
the other shoulder, and we closed the door
in safety.
"Give me the screws quick" l said,
anu go u tuc Dottoh Vi tuo stdiis anu
prevent any one coming up"
bored hole after hole as noisclessly as
could, and having made the door as fast as
eight good screws would make it, l ran
down stairs and whispered "All right
els there a gentleman up stairs, sir 90
said the station master, walking towards
u.s. "He asked me to wake him in time
for the train, and it is just ready to GO
"Oh. he wont like to be disturbed till
the last moment, you may be sure" said
Jack. "By the by, l wished to talk to
you of plan by which l think your sta
ton might be much improved"
Now architecture happened to be one of
the station masters hobbies, and they were
soon deep in discussion. l beat hasty
retIeat to the guard, and producing a SOW
ereign, said
elf you get US off in five minutes from
now, waiting for no one, and ring your bell
at the very last minute, this is yours
"All right, sir! the luggage is all in, and
most of the passengers. Take your seats
Going on-' he shouted, whilst stood with
my watch in hand.
Gone minute left. Ring the bell now"'
said. elf they undo those screws in one,
or even five minutes, I'll eat them
We jumped into carriage, the guard
CAV the final whistle, and the train moved
slowly on. We anxiously watched the
result of our plot, with our heads out of
window. After waiting one or two min
utes, we noticed figure gesticulating at
the station window. The train then passed
into deep cutting, and we lost sight of it.