Year: 1877




ject Eva will not care to have discussed,
and fortunately my husband is away
from home. So 20 to bed and rest con-
tented


She showed them to the bed she had
intended them to occupy, and soon the
house was once more hushed in slumber.


Meanwhile, their brother Sam had
reached the depot few minutes too late.
He found the train he was to have taken
already gone, but on consulting a time
table he found that another train started
in two hours, and so decided to take it.
He figured to himself, as he impatiently
crowded into an empty seat and was
being whirled along at rapid rate. how
snugly his brothers had ensconced them
selves in the best bed, which by right
belonged to him, he being the eldest, and
consummated plan to get even with
them.


Sometime after midnight he was de-
posted in Hollythorn, and reaching his
sisters house he secuted around until he
found way of entrance into the kitchen,
where he deposited his luggage and re-
moved his boots. Then he quietly stole
up stairs and opened the door of the best
room. Sure enough thought he, fmy
fine chaps, you are in clover for there
were not to be mistaken signs of the room
being occupied.


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 good dous-
ing with the ice fluid would bring them
out quick enough.


He lifted the pitcher, approached the
bed, raised it and suddenly dashed the
contents upon the sleeper.


Such torrent of screams as he had
never before heard rang through the
house and before Sam could collect his
scattered senses, the door opened, and
Hannah, George and John rushed in,
clothed in scanty apparsl-Hannah with
frightened look on her face and lamp
in her hand that revealed the entire
scene.


There, sitting up in bed, with her hair
dripping like mermaid her night-dress
deluged, her face colorless, and looking
terrified, was the young school teacher !;
and there was Sam with the empty
pitcher in his hand, the very picture Of
imbocility, staring around like an idiot at
the havoc he had made. Hannah,
George and John instantly understood
the situation; and the latter at the COM
mand of their sister, dragged Sam away,
while she assisted the drenched and terri
fed girl to dry clothing, and then took her
to her own room and bed, explaining for
the second time, the mishAps of the
night


I'll keep you with me now, my poor
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 being so terribly
frightened, and the way my best bed has
been used, wouldn't care. But you are
safe now


Hannah kissed her charge, and went
down to see the boys, who, as soon as
they were safely shut in the regions
below, began to appreciate the joke; and
now that Sam was as deep in the mud as
they were in the mire, and give no quar-.
| ter.


I'll be blamed if L know what it means,
said Sam, locking in confusion at his
brothers, who were rolling and kicking in
convulsions of laughter.


'Means?' said George, holding his sides
1T means that you have stolen like thief
into Miss Eva Stanley's bed-chamber
who is young lady teacher boarding
here; and thinking it was your humble
servant and Johnny snug in bed, you at
tempted to drown us out, and made a
grand mistake. How do you like it
Sam?'


Il confess | see the point but can't
see the joke. 1t a most outrageous
shame.


At this junction Hannah came in and
began rating them soundly, thereby let
ting out the whole story. 1t was Sans
turn to laugh.


Miss Eva was not visible the next
morning, and Hannah announced that she
was sick with severe cold. Hannah
had her unruly crew under her thumb fol
once in her life, and had the satisfaction
of seeing them behave with some dignity.
They appeared never to forget that there
was an invalid 10 the house, and went on
tiptoe about. Sam, who seemed to take
the entire responsibility upon his should.
ers, sent off shyly to New York for choice
fruit and flowers, which he induced his
sister to convey to the young lady with
the most abject apologies and regrets.


In couple of days Eva was able to
come down stairs. She was looking quite
pale, but lovely, and of course divinely
when presented by Mrs. Carpenter to the
three brothers, who behaved quite well
considering the unpleasantness of their
situation ......


But Sam, who had broken the ice by
the means of these presents, was most al
ease, and by virtue of his age and exper.
fence constituted himself the proprietor
and was constantly on hand to offer Miss
Eva a thousand nameless attentions; and
before the week was out, John declared
that Sam was done for #.. ...


Gore under completely echoed
George with one ofhis dismal groaus.


Hannah, singing Eva's praises, com.
mended Sans choice, and recommends
marriage to all of them as the only sober
ing process she was acquainted with. Il
is piece of advice, however, that they
did not appear inclined to follow, notwith.
standing Sans happy lot with the pretty
school mistress of Hollythorn.


She often reminds her brothers-in-law
of her unceremonious introduction to 8
snowdrift at dead of night, and they re
taliate with the shower-bath given her BY
Sam.


|