The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-28

| went INTO mysteries over the Joke.
"a pretty kettle of fish, p said George,
rolling over the floor, and letting off peal
after peal of laughter.
II should think it was" replied John,
holding his sides. ''Oh, my But what
the dickens is to be done about it, and who
do you suppose it is, George ?"
"Some guest of Hannahs, of course,
and young and pretty at that. 1 don't
know how it is with you, but feel partic-
ularly small and extremely cheap-would
sell myself at very low price"
"Cheap!" roared John; "cheap! 1 would
actually give myself away this blessed mo-
ment and throw in something to boot.
What we are to do l can't say, but 1 be-
lieve [ shall dig out of this place and get
back to the city before morning [ haven't
got the courage to face the music, so I'll
get up and 60
He began hastily putting on his boots,
and would have put his threat into execu-
ton but for the appearance of Hannah,
who at once asserted her authority.
"You are not going single step; but I
don't wonder that you feel ashamed of
yourselves. What on earth possessed you
is more than [ can tell
''That's right, Han, pitch in, scold away,
I'll take any amount just now, for I'm as
meek as a lamb. But who is it we have
played SO shabby trick on?'' replied
George
"Trick, 1 should say it was. Why, it
was Eva Stanley-just as nice young
thing as ever lived She is our school
teacher, and this is her week to board here,
and knew you boys would be squabbling
over that room as usual, so put her there,
little thinking you would come home in a
stealthy way
eva Stanley! Whew A pretty school
marm." And repeating his sisters words,
he gave a lugubrious groan.
''Has she recovered? ?" inquired John,
vainly endeavoring to restrain his laughter,
at the wry faces his brother was making.
eyes, soon brought her to; but don't
believe the poor girl will ever get over the
fright She said the first thing she knew
she was being lifted up and carried out,
and she couldn't utter sound, but the mo-
ment the cold air struck her she realized
that she was being abducted, or something
of the kind, and had just time to utter a
scream when she tainted 1t is too bad.
[ should not wonder if she had taken her
death by being dragged out of warm bed
this time of night and dropped into snow
drift in that fashion. No wonder she cried,
poor thing"
"Cried, did she ?" repeated George, with
a groan.
II should think she did. I just took
her in my arms and let her have her cry
out, while I explained to her how she had
been mistaken for Sam and became the
victim of your mad pranks.'
''That was neat in you, Han. 1 am aw-
full glad you hugged the poor thing. [
wish you had given her brotherly squeeze
for me pom my honor do. Oh, dear
| am in sackcloth and ashes from this time
henceforth and forever" replied George,
with another dismal groan.
"And how on earth do you expect us to
stay and take the consequences? ?" asked
John, beginning to look serious. II am
for taking myself off instantly. [ had
rather face masked battery than this
pretty teacher, after making such fools of
ourselves"
II don't care if you had, answered his
sister, Indignantly. "The only way is to
brave it out, both of you, and apologize for
your rudeness. She is not bit stupid, but
pleasant and merry, and no doubt you will
have jolly laugh over the affair
HBut Sam how the deuce are we to get
along with him? You know well enough,
Han, we shall never hear the last of it from
him; and that it will be brought up at all
times and in all places.
'If you two can keep the secret, I'll find
way to silence Bridget, and it's subject
Eva will not care to have discussed, and,
fortunately, my husband is away. So go
to bed and rest contented.
She showed them the room she had in
tended them to occupy, and soon all was
quiet again.
Meanwhile their brother Sam had reached
the depot a few minutes too late. He
found the train he was to have taken gone;
but upon consulting time table he ascer-
tanned that another train started two hours
later, and so he decided to take it. He
figured to himself, as he impatiently crowded
into an empty seat and was being whirled
along at rapid rate, how snugly his broth
ers had ensconced themselves in the best
room, which by right belonged to him, he
being the eldest, and consummated plan
to get even with them.
Sometime after midnight he was depos-
tied at Hollythorne, and reaching his sis
ters house he secuted around until he
found way of entrance into the kitchen,
where he deposited his luggage and removed
his boots. Then he quietly stole up stairs
and opened the door of the best room.
"Sure enough" thought he, "my fine chaps,
you are in cloverp' for there were MOTTO
be-mistaken signs of the room being occu
pied. Garments were lying upon chairs,
and the bed was pressed by slumbering
forms.
To think of coping with their united
strength by dragging them forth was not
practicable; but there stood the pitcher of
water and he knew that good doucing
with the icy fluid would bring them out
quick enough.
eff 1 can't have my old quarters" he
chuckled, "you shan't-that [ am deter
mined. So here goes"
He lifted the pitcher, approached the
bed, raised the pitcher high, and suddenly
dashed the entire contents on the sleeper.
Such a torrent of screams he had never
before heard ring through the house, and
before Sam could collect his scattered
thoughts door after door opened, and Han
nah, John and George rushed in-in scanty
apparel; Hannah, with frightened look on
her face and lamp in her hand, revealed
the entire scene.
There sitting in bed, with hair dripping
like mermaid, her night dress deluged,