Smyrna times., 1883-10-03

Trick, l should say it was. WHY,
it was Eva Stanley-lust as nice a
young thing as ever lived. She is our
school teacher, and this is her week to
board here, and l 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 sis
ter's words, gave lugubrious groan.
" Has she recOvered?" inquired John
vainlly endeavOring to restrain his
laughter at the wry faces his brother
was making.
" Yes, soon brought her to; but
don't believe the poor girl will get over
the fright. She said the first thing she
knew she was being lifted up and car
rled out, and she couldn't utter sound,
but the moment the cold air struck
her she realized that she was being alb
Quoted, or something of the kind, and
mad 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 at
this time of night and dropped into Il
snow drift in that fashion. No wonder
she cried poor thing"
Cried, did she?" repeated George.
with a groan.
-" l should think she did. Just took
her in my arms and let her have her
cry out, while explained to her how
she had been mistaken for Sam ard be-
came the victim of your mad pranks."
That was neat in you, Han. am
awful glad you Rugged the poor thing.
l wish you had given her a brotherly
squeeze for me-'pon my honor l 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 2"
asked John, beginning to look serious.
am for taking myself off Instantly.
l had rather face a masked battery
than this pretty teacher, after making
such fools of ourselves"
L don't care if you had" answered
his sister, Indignantly. 1.-THE only
way is to brave it out, both of you, and
apologize for your rudeness. She is
not bit stupid, but pleasant and mer-
ry, and no doubt you will have q iollv
laugh over the affair"
But, 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 places"
II you two can keep the secret, I'll
find way to silence Bridget, and it's a
subject Eva will not care to have dis
cussed, and, fortunately, my husband
is away. So go to bed and rest con-
tented"
She showed them the room she had
Intended 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 ascertained that another
train started two hours later, and so
he decided to take it, He figured to
himself, as he dropped into an empty
seat and was being whrled along at Il
rapid rate, how snugly his brothers had
esconced themselves in the best room,
which by rights belonged to him, he
being the eldest, and consummated a
plan to get even with them.
Some time after midnight he was de-
posted at Hollythorne, and reaching
his sisters 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 clover!" for there were not
to-be-mistaken signs of the room be-
ing occupied. Garments were living
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 the
icy fluid would bring them out quick
enough.
eff can't have nv old quarters. -
he chuckled, "you shan't-that l am
determined. So here he goes"
He lifted the pitcher, approached
the bed, raised the pitcher high, and
suddenly dashed the entire contents
on the sleeper.
Such torrent of screams he had
never before heard ring through the
house. and before Sam could recollect
his thoughts, door after door opened.
and Hannah, John and George rushed
ln-ln scanty apparel; Hannah, with a
frightened look on her face and lamp
III her hand, that revealed the entire
scene.
There, sitting in bed, with her hair
dripping like u mermaid's, her night
dress deluged, her face colorless and
looking terrified; and there was Sam
with the empty pitcher in his hand
the very picture of imbecility, staring
like an idiot at Miss Eva and the havoc
he had made.
Han, George and John instantly per-
ceived the situation; and the latter, at
the command of their sister, dragged
Sam away, while she assisted the
drenched and terrified girl to dry her
clothing, and then took her to her own
room and bed, explaining for the second
time the mishap of the night.
"Pll keep you with me, now nv
child" she said, though with difficulty
keeping back her laughter. "Those
boys are nicely come up with at any
rate; and if it wasn't for your having
been so terribly frightened and the way
my best bed is used up l would not
care. They do nothing when they
come home but study up tricks to play
on each other; and" continued she.
they are so continued in their offices
and stores during the most of the wear.
that they let themselves entirely loose
when they are out here; but you are
safe now"
Hannah kissed her charge, and then
went down to see about the bows, who
as soon as they were shut up in the re-
glon below, began to fully appreciate
the Joke; and now that Sam was as
deep in the mud as they were in the
mire, gave no quarter.
"pll be blamed if l know what it all
means" said Sam, looking at his BROTH
ers who were rolling and kicking in
cOnvulsiOn of laughter.
Watt" replied George, "until Han
comes, and see if you don't find out"
and he gave another peal of laughter.
Sam had not smiled, and sat looking
the picture of discomfort and perplexi-
ty, but answered:
For heavens sake hold ON bows
Pm willing to admit that Pm sold
gOne-dOg cheap to the highest bidder
but hold on long enough to tell a fell
low what it MEANS"
means! OF course l will" contin-
ued George. sit means that YOU have
stolen like thief into Miss Stanley's
chamber-who is lady teacher board