The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-12-28


head we would empty some of the wine
through the windows of the barouche. Sc
when the lunch was finished, one of the bot
ties was empty, and the other nearly so.
We must finish this bottle" said cousin
Jack, who began to show exhiliration, "as |
must hide them before | get home." He
took another sip from il, handed it back
to us and we managed to dispose of it as we
had done with much of the other. We
then gathered up the remnants into the
basket, John stored them under the seat and
taking his whip he touched up the horses
which began to speed over the smooth hard
frozen country road at rapid pace while
we, conniving together, made the well
kin ring with our wild songs and shouts. As
we passed the farmhouses the children would
run to the doors, and mothers prutrude their
heads from the windows, no doubt wonder
ing if we were a remnant of managerie,or
band Of escaped lunatics.
When we had arrived within about three
miles of the end ofourj journey, John brought
the horses to walk, and as the effects of
the moderate amount of wine which he had
drank had passed away, he said "Now
girls, we must hold up on this noise, as the
old governor might hear of it."
"Drive on" shouted Lou, 1--WE arc alright
Well fix it all right with the governor"
"But know it isn't all right" said John,
sadly taking in the situation, that as he
thought we were all SC intoxicated that we
reeled in our seats, and that he had just as
well try to reason with four lunatics as with
us. 1t won't do take you girls home in this
plight. The old governor would string me
up by the thumbs"
"Do you mean to say that we are tight ?"
said Lou. excitedly. "If so, you are lying.
Give me the reins. will drive home, if
you can't" At the same time she tried 10
rise, and falling forward fell on my lap. He
brought the horses to a stands-till, and sad
ly contemplated our faces, his countenance
being picture of dispair. In the mean
time Lou commenced little baccana,an
impromptu, in which we all joined:
1--WE are in command Of Captain Jack,
Captain Jack, Captain Jack:
We are in command OF Captain jack
And won't 20 home till morning."
"pll be hanged" said John, if amt
mind to put you all out of the carriage,
and drive off and leave you."
But we only laughed at him, and menaced
him with our clnched fists.
He buried his face in his hands and dis
pondingly murmurcd:
al don't know what to do, by thunder.
The folks are all at home waiting to receive
you, and not one of you can walk a step, or
know what you are doing. Never will be
caught in such trap as this again; never
will give any one else wine to drink. 1t
is just retribution on me.'
eyes, it's all your fault, so don't preach
temperance to u.s." said Lou.
,"Now, will you not have some reason,
girlsg'' he pleaded dramatically. "Don't 60
back on me in this foolish way. have
treated you square, now don't disgrace both
yourself and me in this manner, for
Heavens sake"
But what can we do?" asked.
"Is there tavern near here2" asked
Lou, where we can go to sleep for an hour
or two, and we shall be all right"
at won't do" said John. "Thc old
governor would come to look for us; and
besides there are no taverns near here. But
I'll tell you what will answer. There is a
store half mile ahead. will go in and
get pint of vinegar in one of the bottles,
and put some salt in it. I'll tell the store
keeper that want it to bathe lame horse;
and If you girls will drink it, it will cure
you"
Vinegar and salt for four" we all shout
ed. Yes, captain Jack, get us the vinegar
by all means"
This seemed to offer some relief to his
mind, and so he drove on, and finally stop
ped opposite the little country store, which
stood back short distance from the high
way; he handed me the reins and said
"Now, cousin 81 for mercy's sake do keep
quiet while go to the store, for if you carry
on out here, the old governor II hear Of it,
sure as thunder"
When he had about time to get the vine
gar in the bottle, Lou took the whip, gave
the horses a sharp crack, and of they start
cd at a rapid pace. We saw cousin Jack
rush out of the store, bottle in hand, and
yelling whoa whoa |" made off after u.s.
Lou still piled the whip to the horses, and
for short time, it was about an even race
but then we saw that he was following, and
we slackened our gait. We did not allow
him to overtake us, however, until he had
ran about half mile, then we stopped the
horses, and almost out of breath, he sprang
into his seat
He jerked the reigns out of my hands and
the whip from Lou.
am a son of thief" he said, " if
amt a mind to lay this whip over the
shoulders Of the whole Of you"
But we were as sober as judges now, and
pleaded that we could not stop the horses.
He had not got the vinegar and salt, and he
very soon discovered that we really had no
necessity for it, That during the race, we
had laughed ourselves sober, if, indeed, we
were tight at all. And cousin Jack believed
that the whole thing was a trick.
"Never mind, girls" he said, recovering
from his bad humor. "Now, mind you,
will get even with you before we separate"
We were now at uncle Zeke's, and need
not describe the welcome we received from
aunt Becky, who was up to her elbows in
her culinary preparations for the evening
and the morrow. Cousin Sarah and her
children had arrived the day before.
" Now girls" said Aunt Becky, " want
you to have a good time while you are here.
l have furnished the large room over the
parlor with two beds, so that you can all be |
together. Come with me and will show
you"
And she lead the way, talking the while,