Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-07-27
the tropics

the tropics"
Remarkable, indeedr' they answered.
No sooner was their guest out Of sight
than the others turned to CASTOR, who
was laughing to himself attheir wonder
ing faces.
After short explanation, during
which the four heads were very close to-
gether, Jules went in one direction for
dark lantern, CASTOR set forth in another
to borrow drum, Jean went in third
for the big watering pot, while Emil was
to fill basket with sand and gravel.
When they came back, later in the even
ing, each had succeeded in his GRAND.
1--WE will give the sergeant a goblin
thunder Storm" CASTOR said, with a
smile. Then all four laughed aloud.
They were sharp fellows, and they COM
pretended his plan
Although the moon shone brightly
that night the conspirators set forth for
the inn, walking in a single file, and
grinning with anticipation.
About midnight they were in front of
the window of the 'sfront room on the
left" Emil threw the sand against the
panes, CASTOR beat terrible roll upon
the drum, and Jules flashed the light of
his lantern through the window, while
Jean spattered water upon the glass.
The sergeant arose, came to the win
dow and gazed curiously out. APP
parently there was bright moonlight and
cloudless sky; but he had seen the
lightning, heard the thunder, and surely
those were drops Of rain upon the panes
of the window.
Thefour mischief makers had crouched
closely against the wall, and with diff
Guilty restrained themselves from noisy
mirth.
The steps retreated from the window.
After waiting a moment another "Gob-
lin Storm" was created, and brought the
puzzled man again to the window; but
SO closely flattened against the inn were
the four friends that there was no clew
to the mystery, and the sergeant once
more retired, too sleepy to make any
further investigation that night.
A third repetition of their trick brought
their victim running to the door-as they
had expected.
Being ready for him, Jean deluged the
poor sergeant with water, CASTOR deaf
ened him with the drum, Jules blinded
his eyes with the lantern, while Emil
pelted him with the gravel, and he stag
gered back indoors with his hands over
his eyes and his breath almost gone.
Next day the sergeant asked the land
lord at breakfast time whether the ter
rible storm had not kept him awake.
The landlord stared at him in silence
for moment, and then said:
Sergeant, are you crazy?'
Landlord, what do you mean?" re-
piled the soldier with much dignity, ris-
ing to his feet.
at was calm, bright moonlight night,
as any one will tell you. Why do you
ask such a foolish question? To makem
ridiculous?"
SIT was but poor joke, wasn't it, mine
host?" said the sergeant, with twist at
his big mustaches while his cheeks grew
very red. "Pray say nothing about it,
and I will promise not to repeat so i'll
timed a pleasantly" and away he
marched, very erect and very proud in
deed
Strangely enough, not only did the
sergeant seek no explanation Of his re-
markable experience at the inn, but even
his wonderful adventures in Tonquin
were no more recalled.
As for Castor, Jules, Emil and Jean,
they never met together without chuck
ling and poking one another, and this
they continued to do until next fair time.
Benjamin Webster in st. Nicholas.