Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-02-11

ill.tempered at Christmas time.n
"Capitalf" said, always ready to fall
iu with practical Joke; "let US be of at
once"
We certainly found the old gentleman
In as Morphesn torpor as we could
wish. His feet were propped up on a
chair. whilst his boots were drying, and
he was breathing with his mouth wide
open. 10 rather apoplectic manner.
Shall put snow ball in each OF his
bootsp' said.
"No, tha, would be too much of a good
thing, but I'll tell you what you shall do;
you are rather swell a, drawing, aren't
youp III Just burn the end Of that beer
bottle cork, and you shall artistically
adorn his face"
This is splendid" he whispered. as 1
finished off with giving him moustache,
which turned up in facetious manner.
Just move tina, looking glass. and pu. 1t
so that he can admire himself directly
when he wakes; and now let us be off,"
We walked on tiptoo to the door. The
hinges began to creak. and cold as the
weather was, n faint petspiration began
to develop itself on my forehead. as | no.
liced the old gentleman move in his chair;
i. was. however, only TO turn his head
on 10 the other shoulder. and we closed
the door in safety.
give me the screws quick" said.
"and 60 to the bottom OF the stairs and
prevent any one coming up"
bored hole after hole as noiselessly as
could, and having made the door as fast
as eight good screws could make it, | ran
down stairs and whispered. "All righ, y
is there a gentleman up stairs, sir ?"
said the station master, walking towards
US. "He asked me TO wake him in time
tor the train, and it is Just ready to CO."
oh! ho won't like to he disturbed till
the last minute, you may be sure" said
Jack. "By-ihe-by, | wished to talk to
you OF plan by which think your sta
ton might be much improved"
Now architecture happened to be one
OF the station masters hobbies. an1 they
were soon in deep discussion. beat Il
hasty retreat 10 the guard. aud producing
a sovereign. said:
Ill you get US off in five minutes from
now. waiting tor no onu, and ring your
bell >, the very last minute, this is yours"
"All right. sir; the luggage is all 10.
and most OF the passengers. Take your
seat. Going onp' he shouted. whilst |
stood with my watch In hand.
"Ode minute left Ring the bell now"
said. "If they undo them screws in
one or even five minutes. I'll eat them"
We jumped into a carriage, the guard
gave the final whistle, and the train
moved slowly on.
We auxiously watched the result Of our
plot with our heads out of the window.
After waiting one or two minutes. we no
ticed figure gesticulsting at the station
window. The train then passed into 3
deep cutting, and we lost sight OF il.
think | have forgotten TO say that
VAS going 10 spend the Christmas with q
college friend. He had gone down feT
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 ieet on
the platform, no doubt thoroughly tired
OF waiting for the train. As he drove up
be began talking of the different arrange.
ments be hsd matc for our mutual amuse-
meut. ITO morrow" he said, "Pve SCI.
as de for skstiog party; have bad the
pond in the park swept, and invited all
the young ladies within reach, and as
they have al accepted. 1t will give you u
very fair idea of our native beauty"
Now. of all jolly things in the world, |
think q skating party Is The jolIiest. Tom
says am fond of showing my skates of !;
bu, deny that this had anything TO do
with it. In the first place the frosty
weather (and the mulIed clareD induce
high spirits-then there are the tum5lers
to laugh at, and the ladies' skates to strap
on-which last, in my mind, is not the
least pleasant part OF The entertainment.
We had by this time reached the house,
and alter having accomplished our toi-
room.
The guv'Dor isn't al home but let me
introduce you 10 my sister Minnie"
Miss Minnie rose and held out her
hand at once. but, for my part, was too
dumbtouuded to utter a single word. l
am far from eloquent when describing
female beauty, so | will not attempt it
here; bu, must say that had never,
and have never since, seen such pretty
and merry face. When dinner was an
nounced. however. had recovered my
equanimity sufficiently to offer my arm,
and after short time we got to know one
another thoroughly.
The dinuer-perhaps it may have been
the port wine-had opened my heart. and
when we moved TO Toms sanctum to
smoke-where, by the by, Miss Minnie in-