Year: 1862




my father and my fathers father were born
before me. The first son Of our family for
many generations had been christcncd
Nicholas, and was honored with the same
euphoniOus cognOmen. On the male side
my father and | were the only ones left to
represent the ancient race We were both
as well known in Dudleyville as the spire
of the village church-and from being so
well known, We were hailed the whole coun-
try round by the familiar epithet of "Nick
Dudley and, TO save confounding the two,
my father was frequently called "Old
Nick"


believed in ry soul this was the cause
of his sending me so early abroad. BE that
as it may, I was cquipp and regularly in.
stalled, when | was scarce sixteen into
Uncle Sans service, where, young as was,
| cOntrivrd to distinguish myself for my
military daring and courage, which, | am
now convinced, was nothing but youthful
foolhardincss.


It was during the Texan war I scrv, d.
and at the age of 81, I returned once more
to the paternal roof, with the title of major
prelixed to nay name.


1t was with no ordinary degree of self.
satisfaction that, with my SNOWY regimcntals
wth-my face Drowned by tropical sun, a
fierce military mou,tachc, ani my full D! O.
portions, paced the deck of the steamer
which was soon to land me within a sholt
stage r''ie OF my native town.


My sister Kate, whom so longed to sec,
had, | hncied, grown tall, beautiful girl,
and as she had thrown out some vague hints
in her letter to me, concerning some import.
ant changes in her life, with only awaited
my presence to accomplish, | racked my
brains to imagine the sort of chap the in.
tended husband might be.


My return | had carefully planned in
such way as to surprise the old gentleman
and Kate. By no possibility were they ex.
pccting me for a full week. had learned
from Kate that the old homestead was under,
gentleman had rented house in the heart
of the hourishing town.
knew the old place and all it's surround
ings so well, however, in spite of alterations
that could not be at fault.


Twas in the very street at last, and in front
of the house which held my good father and
sister.


As was about to ascend the steps to en-
ter the house lcgitimately by the front door,
| saw that the dining room windows, which
opened on the green before the house, werv
wide open, and the bright light within the
room shone on the outSpread table, Just as
the family had left it after their evening
meal.


"They must have had company" tho't
|. for the table had evidently been laid for q
number of persons, and the massive spoons
and shining silver tea service Law tempt.
ngly open to the hands Of any passing
thief


A brilliant thought flashed on my mind


"A double surprise,' thought | and
no sooner thought than acted.


Springing at one bound through one of
the open windows gathered, as hastily as
possible, spoons, and whatever of the mas.
>ive plate could, determined to make way
up Stairs and into the drawing room, be
fore any Of the family saw me, and present
my sister with my own presence and her
silver at the same time.


just as was about TO open the door of
the dining room, my eyes glanced on the
name engraved upon the silvcr-'Liver-
more"


started like criminal. While it flashed
through me like shock Of lightning that
my father, though a man of means had
never manifested any great love of silver,
and had never owned any plate except the
old fashioned spoons and tea service which
had been handed down from generation to
generaton,it also occurred to me for dead
certainty that had "waked up the wrong
passenger in short, that was in fix,
and decidedly in the wrong house.


As this truth glanced rapidly through my
mind was engaged in replacing the silver
previous to making my exit in the same
way had entered.


But alas for human calculation Before
had divested my pockets Of half their con-
tents, the door opened and shut with a
bang giving me glimpse of servant, maid
half terrified out of her wits.


Scream followed scream, then a clatter
like tramp Of horses. made for the win
dow, but one of the shutters had already
been closed with bang and in the same
way the rest were clascd as if by magic.


A friendly side door stood inv'tnsly oper.
| made ny way through it and up private
staircase. The next moment found my,
self in the snug library adjoining the brill.
lantly ilSnteu room.


! heard steps approaching, and dart,ng
behind the shelter of the ample drapery
which curtaine'l the windows, had only
time to conceal myself, when voices in the
apartment made me aware had been none
too quick in the operation.


After little was let lone, and now
had time for reflection.


Suppose | were caught--the silver actually
in my possession; the proof was convincing
-damning even my fathers name, well
and favorably known too, but as mild reck,
less blade, and to many the probability that
had added house breaking to my other
lawlcss accomplishments, might be easily
supposable.


Determined to put the best possible face
on the matter in case | was caught. ] re-
mained almost brea,hless in my hiding.
place.


Presently by the hum of voices | could
hear that the drawing room began to fill. |
grew nervous, restless. longed to rush
out in the midst of all and acknowlede who
! was, and the reason of my being there m
der such suspicious circumstances. But the
reasons were SO ridiculous, that, in spite of
all my more manly feelings, was con
strained to remain like a guilty wretch in
my hiding place.


At intervals groups of visitors entered
the library, and then withdrew. At each
intrusion felt my hour had come. But
somehow my good genius proved always
in the ascendant. No one came t. TIE win
dow.


The rooms began to thin. l could plainly
distinguish the fact with some degree of
hope in my breast. Again heard voices
and steps enler the library.


Before go dear Edith" said musical
voice, which recognized with thrill o.
joy and pain as my sisters, ''let me tell you
that in week expect my dear brother. l
shall then have the pleasure Of intl oducing
you, anl--'


"Ah that lone talked of brother Kate.