Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-02-06
in time for the train, and it is Just ready

"Oh, he won't like to be disturbed
until the last minute, l am sure" said
Jack. By-the-by, l wished to talk to
you of plan by which l think your
station could be much improved"
Now architecture happened to be one
of the station masters hobbies, and they
were soon deep in conversation. beat
a hasty retreac to the guard, and pro-
ducing q sovereign, said:
If 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 seat Going ~ he shouted, while
l stood with my watch in hand.
"One minute left Ring tine bell
now. If they undo those fastenings
in one or even five minutes, I'll eat
them"
We jumped into the carriage, the
guard gave the final whistle, and the
train moved slowly on.
We anxiously watched the result of
our plot with our heads out of the win
dow. After waiting one or two min
utes we saw head gesticulating at the
station window. The train then passed
into deep cut, and we lost sight of it.
l think | have forgotten to say that
was going to spend the Christmas with
Il college friend He had gone down a
few days before, and promised to meet
me at c. station.
You may imagine that was not sorry
to find myself arrived there, nor yet to
see my friend, Tom, stamping his feet
on the platform, no doubt thoroughly
tired of waiting for the train. As he
drove me up he began talking of the
different arrangements he had made for
our mutual amusement
Tomorrow" he sud, al have set
apart for a skating party l have had
the pond III the park swept, and invited
all les jennes d moisclles within reach,
and as they have all accepted, it will
give you very fair idea of our native
beauty"
Now, of all the jolly things in the
world think skating party is the
jolliest. Tom says that l am fond of
showing my skating, but ] deny that
this has anything to do with it. In the
first place the frosty weather land the
mulled claret) induce high spirits
then there are the tumbers to laugh
at, and the ladies' skates to strap
on-which last, in my own mind, is not
the least pleasant part of the amuse-
ment.
We had by this time reached the
house, and after having accomplished
our toilets, Tom took me into the draw
ing-room.
The guv'nor is not at home; but let
me introduce you to my sister Minnie"
Miss Minnie rose and held out her
hand at once, but for my part l was too
dumb-fouhded to utter single word.
am told that | am far from eloquent
when describing female beauty, so will
not attempt it here; but l must say that
| had never-and have never since
seen such u pretty face.
When dinner was announced. how
ever. l had sufficiently recovered my
equanimity to offer my arm, and after
a short time we got to know each other
thoroughly.
The dinner-perhaps it may have
been the port wine-had opened my
heart, and when we removed to Toms
sanctum to smoke, where, by the by,
Miss Minnie insisted on joining us, say
ing that she liked the smell of tobacco,
and found it so dull by herself began
to relate my adventures with the old
gentleman.
Peal after peal of laughter arose as
proceeded with my narrative. warm
ed with my subject, quite outdoing my
self in the description Of the old gentle
mans angry face and irate behavior.
Here!" said l in triumph, "is my
trophy!" and l held up the nlght-cap.
Never shall forget that moment
brother and sister stared at it for one
moment, and then Tom, looking vacant
ly at me, Immediately went into hys-
terical fit Of laughter. His face began
to grow quite black, and the tear rolled
down his cheeks.
My. face presented anything but q
laughing appearance, for l was struck
with amazement at his behavior. At
last, with what little breath he had he
managed to get out the words:
" lts-the-guv'nor's-nig
AS he said this, he pointed at a small
label inside the cap which had not
noticed before, and there, sure enough,
were the words:
L. GRUMBLETHoRPE, ESQ,
Grumblethorpe Hall.
Reader, have you ever wished the
earth to open and swalIowyouu up? How
heartily did | wish it at that momont.
| saw the whole thing at a glance. Ihad
been playing practical joke upon the
gentleman in whose house was sitting,
and had been describing him in a most
ridiculous light to his daughter How 7