Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1889-07-23
NUMBER 30.

No sooner was their guest out OF sight
than the others turned 10 Castor, who
was laughing 10 himself attheir wonder.
Ing faces
After short explanation. during
which the four heads were very close to-
gether. Jules went In Que direction for
dark lantern. Castor 1T forth In another
% borrow a drum, Jean went In third
for tho big watering pot. while Emil was
20 fill basket with sand and gravel
When they came back. later In the even.
ing. each had succeeded In his errand.
"We will give the sergeant n 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 oonspirators 81 forth for
the inn. walking In a single Tile. and
grinning with anticipation.
About midnight they were In front Of
the window Of the front room on the
left Emil threw the sand against the
pancs. CASTOR bat terrible roll upon
the drum. and Jules flashed tho light ~
his lantern through the window. while
Jean spaitsrcJ water upon the glass.
The sergeant aruse. came 10 the win.
dow and gazcd curiously out APP
parently there was bright moonlight and
a cloudlcss sky bat be had socn tho
lightning. heard tho thunder. and surely
those were drops of rain upon tho panes
Of the window.
The four mischief makers had crouched
closely against the wall. and with din.
Guilty restrained themselves from noisy
mirth
The steps TctTeated from the window.
After waiting moment another Cob
lin Storm" was created. aud brought tie
puzzled man again to the window. bat
~ closely Hattenod against the inn were
the four friends that there was no clew
10 the mystery. and tho sergeant once
more retired. too sleepy 10 make any
further investigation that night.
A third repetition of their trick brought
their victim running 10 the door-as they
had expected
Being ready for him. Jean deluged the
poor sergeant with water. Castor deaf.
cned him with the drum, Jules blinded
his eyes with the lantern. while Emil
pslted him with th. gravel. and he stag.
gered back indoors with his hands over
his eyes and his breath almost gone.
SeNt day the sergeant asked the land.
lord at breakfast time whether the ter
rible storm had not kept him awake.
The landlord stared at linn in silence
for a moment. aud then sLidi
Sergeant. are you craxyT
Landlord. what do you meany' re-
piled the soldier with much dignity. ris-
Ing 10 his feet
"ltwas a calm. bright moonlight night.
as any ono will tell YOU. Why do you
AK such foolish question: To makome
ridiculousy"
1t was but poor joke. WASH IL. mine
hostr said tho sergeant. with twist at
his big mustaches while his cheeks grew
very rcd pray say nothing about it,
and will promise not 10 repeat ~ III
timed pleasantly. and away ho
marched. very erect and very proud In
decd
strangely enough. not only did the
sergeant seek no explanation of bis re-
markable experience at the inn. bat even
his wonderful adventure. In Tonquin
were no more recalled.
A Tor Castor. jules. Emil and Jean,
they never met together without chuck.
ling and poking one another. and this
they continued 10 DO until next fair time
Benjamin Webster In ST. Nicholas