News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1889-04-25
THE JUDGES DOUBLE
A CARNIVAL INCIDENT,

HE JUDUES DOUBLE
A CARNIVAL INCIDENT.
"Dear papa, said Judge Laurence's
pretty daughter, dropping letter upon
the breakfast table, " good news! Cou-
sin Nelly is coming from New York to
spend the winter with us.
"Glad to hear it, my dear, " the Judge
answered, as he broke his egg into a
tumbler. We must do what we can to
make her visit pleasant one"
That settles it We must go to the
Carnival, said Lefty, promptly.
Her IA her burst out laughing. Ever
since the papers had announced the
great event Lefty had given him no
peace. Go to the Montreal Carnival
we must and shall, " she had asserted at
least hundred times, for her powers of
persistence We're strong. and her father
was very indulgent; and though he de-
INJURED at present, she felt confident of
victory. But this sudden visit of Cousin
Nelly, his favorite brothers child, was
trump card in her hand. Lefty played
it and won.
"Now, dear Aunt Bonar," cried the
two Misses Laurence together, "d0 tell
us how Charlie is going to dress at the
Rink. We're just dying to know, be-
cause everybody says it's dead secret"
Zone at time, please, girls" en-
treated their aunt evasively. "Nelly,
you're looking splendid. haven't seen
you since you We're ten years old. ="
When everybody said was the ugly
duckling, retorted that young lady.
"But all's we'll that ends well, - said
M,-c RO,,n,,
at the pretty speaker. "Now, girls,
you must stay to tea Run upstairs and
take your things off,"
60 How can we, Aunt Bonar, when we
are going to the ball at the Windsor
tonight"
81 sha'n't let you off on that plea.
Why, L haven't seen Nelly for ten years.
You can leave here early, in time to
dress, and Charlie shall take you home" /
So it was settled. The two girls /
tripped up stairs. Lefty, used to the
house, led the way. 1t was getting
dark, and inside their aunt's chamber /
both sat down on lounge, and, as is /
the way with girls on the eve of ball, |
gossipped for fully half an hour.
"How dreadfully dark it is a" cried
Lefty at last. Light the gas, Nelly. "
A bright glare illumined every corner
as Nelly complied. She had her back
to her cousin and was Standing before
a tall pier-glass, when she suddenly saw
Lefty face in the mirror. The terror
in it Mortified Nelly, she turned quickly
round. Lefty uttered a piercing shrek;
then Nelly, looking past her, saw the
reason.
A man was standing by the wardrobe,
tall and perfectly motionless; his hat
came down almost to his neck; his face
she could not see. He must have been
in the room all the time-indeed,
even before they entered it. Of course
he was burglar Lefty still screamed,
and fled wildly; but Nelly bravely stood
her ground. The absolute stiffness of
the fellow filled her with sense of
dread. Obeying a sudden impulse, she
ran up and shook his arm violently. A
strange rIIstling ensued. Off fell the
hat, and the brazen bust of Milton was
revealed beneath. Quick-witted Nelly
comprehended the situation at glance,
and her aunt and cousin, rushing in to-
gether moment later, found her in fits
of laughter.
s'It's a straw man, Lefty, she gasped,
f'that Charities put here to frighten us. "
''Oh, no, indeed, " protested Charities
mother; he's not so lad as that. l for
got he was here. 1t is Charley's skating
get up for the masquerade, at the Yicto
ria Rink"
And now that the cat was out of the
bag, their aunt took great pride in show
ing them this evidence of her beloved
sons ingenuity. The youth of Montre-
aI endeavor to out-H Herod Herod, at these
fancy-dress skating entertainments.
The ladies blaze in radiant attire and
quaint disguise, and many a gallant fell
lows in their train; but proudly high
swells the heart of that youth who can
sport the supremely grOtesque.
Young. Bonar had won this distinc-
ton. On the back of his straw-man he
sailed round the Rink, light of heart
and light of heel, the cynosure of every
eye. Many an on-looker mistook the
straw-man for real one, as he appeared
to toll wearily by; and many comments
from the crowd, pitying his fatigue, were
heard by the Misses Lauranee, and
poured into Charities delighted ears.
But this was two days later.
"And what does he call the dress?"
cried Lefty, grown suddenly brave,
sand what is this belt for, 1 wOnderl"
''That is to fasten the man to him,
and he is down on the Entrance-list as
Man on Original Hobby-horse, ~ re-
piled Mrs. Bonar.
''He ought to go as some mute in
glorious Milton, ," quoted Nelly, laugh
ing. ''That bust is so funny, sewed on
TO such figure.
At the a-table Charlie failed to ap-
pea, but maid brought in a note that
had been left. Mrs. Bonar read it. and
said, with some disappointment:
''What pity, girls, Charlie can't re-
turn till late. He has sent to say he has
been put on the committee of the
'Tuque Bleu Toboganning Club, and
he will have to take visitors down the
Slide all the evening. [ shall have to
send you back in a cab"
''Never mind" Lefty said. "Papa !
told me to be sure to bring back his /
silver-fox coat and cape that he left here /.
yesterday. The thaw did not last long, /
and now he needs them again."
But how paint the girls chagrin when
not cab was to be found on the stand? !
Mrs. Bonar sent her maid four streets |
off TO get one, but she returned unsuc- !
cessful. AS to the horse-cars, each one !
that passed was crammed like a box of !
sardines-nay, more, men were hanging /
on the rails behind. To such straits are |
the citizens of Montreal reduced in Car
nival time.
Lefty was almost in tears; Nelly sat
still in silent desperation; Mrs. Bonar
wruIg her hands.
"Whatever daH we do if we don't get
a cab2 You ought to be dressing for the
ball. Oh, if [ could only get man to
send home with you y
Nelly sprang up suddenly.
'sAnd so you can, auntie - she cried,
with laugh of inspiration; " Charities
sfrau-maH, of course"