Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-02-06

utes we saw head gesticulating at the
station window. The train then passed
into deep cut, and we lost sight of it.
/ think [ have forgotten to say that
was going to spend the Christmas with
a 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 be began talking of the
different arrangements he had made for
our mutual amusement.
"To-morrow," he said, al have set
apart for a skating party l have had
the pond in the park swept, and invited
all les .jeuaes d moiseHes within reach
and as they have all accepted, it will
give you a very fair idea of our native
beauty"
Now, of all the Jolly things in the
world I think skating party is the
jolliest. Tom says that l am fond of
showing my skating, but I 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 tumblers to laugh
at, and the ladies' skates to strap
on-whlch 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. F"
Miss Minnie rose and held out her
hand at once, but for my part was too
dumb-fouhded to utter single word. /
am told that | am far from eloquent
when describing female beauty, SO | will
not attempt 1t here; but must say that
| had never--and have never since
seen such a pretty face.
When dinner was announced. how
ever. | 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.
"HereW said [ in triumph, ais 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 | was struck
with amazement at his behavior. At
last, with what little breath he had he
managed to get out the words:
"It's-the-guv nor 's--night-cap.
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:
! /. GRUMBLETHORPE, ESQ,
Grumblethorpe Hall.
Reader, have you ever wished the
earth to open and swallow you up? How
heartily did [ wish it at that momont.
[ saw the whole thing at glance. l had
been playing a practical joke upon the
gentleman in whose house [ was sitting.
and had been describing him in most
ridiculous light to his daughter. How l
hated Tom for laughing-his sister was
nearly as bad, by the way-while I sat
turning alternately pale and red, consid-
ering what was to be done. At this
moment a servant entered the room.
:'Atelegram for Miss Grumblethorpe. -
/ She hastily looked over it, and then
read it aloud to us: 3 ~ -
"Shall come by the $50 tomorrow
morning. Some young jackanapes have
played a practical joke and caused me
to miss the train"
At last found words:
Tom" | said, " / must fly. Miss
Grumblethorpe, | cannot sufficiently
apologize to you"
sob, you need not apologize to me;
nor must you go, either. Tom, you
must devise some escape out of the d.
| lemma."
+" 1t would certainly never do for the
governor to recognize you; he would
never forgive you and would cut me off
with a shilling. Oh, / have i'll SEN
tence you, under punishment, to cut off
those whiskers and moustache. He'll
never know you Them F.
Never" / said with determination.
"Im not a vain man, but will never
voluntarily make fright of myself"
oh, am sure you would look much
| better without Them" said Miss Grum-
blethorpe; besides, rememb Der the skat-
ing party tomorrow; | want you to
teach me SO much. You really must
not CO."
| was not proof against this. The
adorable Minnie actually wishing me to
stay Again, l recollected that had no
other invitation for Christmas, and all
my family were spending the winter
abroad. Under these circumstances I
determined to risk all, and stay where I