The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-03-13
| From Cosanora dc Steingaies Memoirs
HORRIBLE PRACTICALJOkE


well informed family, whose residence
was in the country, AT place called
Zero. Our amusements here were
playing billiards, talking to the ladies,
and myStifying each other. This last
amusement were sometimes pushed a
little too far but il was considered a
want oil herolsn to evnce any ill-hu-
mour, however severe the ordeal might
/ be. You are expected to take the thing
in good part, or else submit 10 be looked
upon as adolf. Sometimes, in getting
into bed, II gave way beneath you, or
your slumbers were disturbed by some
sheeted ghost gliding in your apartment
al other times the ladies' were presented
with comtts or sweatmeats, the lnevita-
bic effect Of which may be more easily
imagined than told. As for me, was
not only rich in inventions of this nature
but showed elfpossessed Of the most
lneXhausttble patience under the tricks
played OFF on me, until | became vic
tim OF one which inspired me with the
most ardent desire Of vengeance. We
often directed our walks toward a farm.
winch was about half u leaule distant.
! The way to this farm was crossed by a
WIDE dljch, over which was throwa a
strong plank that served as BRIDE. !!
generally passed first over this narrow
bridge, TO enconrato the ladies, aad en-
gaze them to follow. One ine day
took the lead of the company as usua,,
when, on reaching the middle Cd the
plank, it suddenly gave way, and fell
with me into the ditch, where there was
moi, II must be confessed, drop OF WI
ter, but what was worse, considerable
depth of black and letid mud. Although
cmbalned in this up to the ears, put
on good countcnance, and joined in
the general laugh that accompanied my
fall but this was not of long duration,
Tor all the company agreed that the trek
was by Tar TOO severe a one. Some OF
tho nelshbourng peasantry were sent
for, who drew me out of the mire N the
most deplorable state i; my summer sui,
embroidered in gold, lace frills and ruff
files, aud silk stockings, were complete
ly spoiled. pretended to make liglt
of all this, laughing at the adventure ;
but determined in my own mind to take
bloody vengeance, if necessary, for 50
unworthy a Jest. In order to discover
the author, ii became necessary to al
feet the most complete indifference. On
being taken back TO ,he house, Was
:, kindly accommodated with linen and
clothes, having brought no supply VIVA
me, as | had come to remain only ~
hours. The next morning | went to
town, but returned in the evening, and
joined the company as If nothing had
happened. Fabrius, who viewed the
thing in the same light as | did, told me
it would be impossible to discover tle
author of this trick, bat by promising u
ducat to peasant glrl, II Size would tell
me who sawed the plank. | succecder.
: She pointed me out young man, who's,
tongue | united with another ducol, a.
companica by menaces. lie contesse
to me that he acted under the order 4,
a Mr.. Demetrius, a Greek mel chant, j
man between 45 and 50years OF sge, ,!
an agreeable and joyiai disposition, on
whom the only mystiicatIon | ever
played off, was outrivalling him in the
: good graces of Madame dc KS femme
de chambre, to whom he had taken liz
king. In the whole course my life,
| never fatlgued my brain so much as
upon this occasion, in endeavorlng TO IN
vent some trick with which to plague
this cursed Greek. | was DESTROYS II
should be at least as extraordinary and
disagrecable as the one he had served
, me. The more | thought on the sub
lect, the less likely seemed to obtain
the object of my wishes Til passing
funeral suggested an idea to me that 1
lost no time III executing. Towards
midnight repaired alone, armed with d
cutlass, to the church-yard, where |
disinterrcd the newly buried body, and
with some difficulty cut of the ann at
the shoulder jont after replacing the
body III the earth, returned with the
dead mans arm, and got unperceiycd to
my room. The next night l quilted
the company after supper, and taking
with me the dead mans arm, | stole IN
to the Greeks room ana concealed
myself under the bed. y quarter OF IN
hour afterwards my Greek entered his
room, undrosscd himself, put OFT the
light, and went to bed. When | sup
posed he was asleep, | gon,ly drew the
quilt half off He awoke, and sand,
laughing, Get away with you, VINCE
yer you may be, for do not believe in
Ghosts lie then drew up the quiz,
and turned again 10 sleep. After wait
ing five or six minutes, recommended
my operations, and nc again laughed
but when he endeavoured TO draw up
the quilt, held il back and he nnmc-
diately stretched forth his hand to seize
| DIT ,f Tho nnreon whom he SunnoSpd to