A SHOT IN THE DARK.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 49, 6 December 1890, Page 20

A SHOT IN THE DARK.

A GEXTLKMAX who made a horseback toar of the backwoods some years ago, met with many amusing experiences. He stayed one night with an old German farmer, whose house consisted of but two rooms, one above the other.

The upper room, which was a mere loft, had in it two beds, one of which was given to the guest, while the farmer’s boy, a heary-eyed. stupid-looking boy of about fifteen years', named John, slept in the other. Long' before daylight the next morning the father began calling. ‘ Shon ! Shon '. Gid ond I’ ‘ I vill soon,’ ‘Shon’ replied, drowsily, and immediately fell asleep again. This occurred several times : then the father called out, in the most emphatic tone—- ‘ Shon ! Oh Shon ! Eef you dond git oud yoost so quick as you can. I vill go>m up mit a bail of vater. und I bet I makes you shump !’ John see met! to care less for the possible pail of water than for the frostiness of the morning. ‘ I vill he up soon,’ he answered, and settled himself for another nap. ‘ln two or three minutes,' says the traveller, * I heard heavy footsteps ascending the rude steps leading to the attic, and while I lay sympathizing with “Shon,’’ a wave of icy water drenched me almost from head to foot.’ ‘ Now, sir, stormed the host, ‘ I told you I would douse y,,n if ’ ‘ But you have doused me !’ the tourist managed to gasp, with his teeth chattering. Thus made aware of his mistake the amazed father became profuse in his apologies and more excited than ever. * Vat !’ he shrieked in the darkness. ‘lt vas you I O o-o-o-h, dot Shon ! I thought he vas in dis bet I It vas dark : I could not see '. Und you vas all vet ! O-o-o-o-h, but I gives it to dot Shon now I I vill trona him mit a whole par’l of vater ! Shon—you Shon '. See vat meestake you make me do ! I 'ill—Shon, vere you vast' But * Shon ’ had taken advantage of the hubbub and darkness. and had escape.i the wrath of his father for the present, though no doubt there was a terrible reckoning for him later in the day.