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

| quite black, aud the tears rolled down his
checks
My face presented anything bot a laugh
ing appearance. for 1 was struck with
amusement at bis behavior. At last,
with what little breath he bad left, he
managed to get out the words:
"Ips - -tbe-guv-nor's-Dight-cap."
As be said this he pointed 10 a small
label inside the cap. which had not no
tced before, and there. sure enough, were
the words:
L. GRUMBLETHoRP, ESQ.,.
Grumblethorp Hall.
Reader, have you even wished the earth
to open and swallow you upP How heart
lily did | with il Al that momont. saw
the whole STAIR at glance; had been
playing practical joke upon the gentle.
man in whose house I was sitting. and
had been describing him in the most rid
iculous light to his daughter. How
hated Tom for laughing-bis sister was
nearly as bad. by the wsy-whilst | sat
turning alternately pale and red. consid-
ering what was 10 be done. A, this mo-
ment servant entered the room.
"A telegram for Miss GrumblethorP."
She hastily looked over it. and then
read it aloud to US:
shall come by the 80 tomorrow
morning. Some young iacksnapes have
PLAYED a practical joke. and caused me to
miss the last train"
At last found words. "Tom,' | said,
II must fy. Miss Grumblethorp. can
not sufficiently apologize 10 you for
"Oh, you need not apologize to me,
nor must you 90 either. Tom. you must
devise some escape out of the dilemma"
1T would certainly never do for the
governor 10 recognize you; he'd never
forgive you. and would cut me of with q
shilling. Oh, have i'll sentence you.
under punishment to cot of those whis-
kers and moustache-he'l never know
you then"
"NeverP' / said with determination.
Pm not n vain man. but will never
voluntarily make a fright OF myself"
"Oh. I'm sure you'd look much better
without them" said Miss Grumble,horp /;
'besides, remember the the skating party
tomorrow want you to teach me so
much. You really must not CO."
Sas not proof against this. The
adorable Miss Minnie actually wishing
me TO stay Again. l recollecled that
had no other invitation for Christmas,
and all my family were spending the win
tor abroad. Under these circumstances
determined TO risk all. and stay where
was sure TO enjoy myself.
Next morning rose early, had "clean
shave" and borrowed pair OF light blue
spectscles. Whom met Miss Grumble-
thorp on M way to breakfast, she de-
clared the disguise was capital. telling
me at the same time that her father had
arrived and was IN he breakfast room.
was formally Introduced and by the way
that he received me ii was evident that
he had not recognized me in the least.
always glad TO see Toms friends. y
said the old boy, in quite cheerful tone
Thank goodness he doesn't choose tor
companions such puppies as those who
insulted me yesterday. wonder wheth-
er they consider themselves gentlemen ~
In this strain he continued to talk ali
breakfast time, whilst | ans gered with
perfect gravity, not daring TO look 81
Minnie, for felt sure she was enjoying
the joke.
My story is nearly over. enjoyed
the skating party thoroughly, for spent
the day in teaching Minnie. | also ac-
companied her the next evening 10 a ball,
where found she could move much more
quickly and gracefully than on the ice.
am now married. and though have
since grown my whiskers, yet my father
ip-law has never suspected that | was
'the young jackanspes that made him too
late TOR the train''-he has never men,
toned the burnt.cork business-and has
always been so kind 10 me that have