The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-01-15
From Casanova do Steingslt's Memoirs.
Horrible Practical Joke.

Horrible Practical Joke.
Towards the end of autumn, Fabrius
introduced me to very amiabe and well
informed family, whose residence was in
the country, at place called Zero. Our
anusements here were playing billiards,
talking to the ladies', and mistifying
each. other. This last amusement was
sometimes pushed little too far but it
was considered want Of heroism TO G.
vince any i'll humor, however severe the
ordeal might be. You are expected to
take the thing in good part, or else sub
nit to be looked upon as dolt. Some
times, in getting into bed, IL gave way
beneath you, or your slumbers were dis.
turbed by some sheeted ghost gliding in
your apartment at ether times the la
dies were presented with comfits or
sweetmeats, the inevitable effect ofwhicI,
may be more easily imagined than told.
As for me. was not only rich in inyen-
tons of this nature, but showed myself
possessed Of the most inexhaustible pa
tience under the tricks played off on me,
until became the. victim of one which
inspired me with the most ardent desire
Of vengeance, We often directed our
walks towards a farm, which was about
half league distant. The way TO this
farm was crossed by n wide ditch, over
which was thrown strong plank that
served as a bridge. generally passed
FIRST over this narrow bridge, to encour-
age the ladies', and engage them to fol-
low me. One fine day took the lead of
the company as usual, when, on reach
ing the middle of the plank it suddenly
gave way, and fell with me into the ditch
where there was not, it must be confessed,
drop Of water, but, what was worse,
a considerable depth Of black and fetid
mud. Although embalmed in this up to
the ears, put on a good countenance,
and joined in the general laugh that ac-
companied my fall hut it was not of long
duration, for all the company agreed
tha: the trick was by far too severe a
one. Some Of the neighboring peasan-
try were sent for, who drew me out Of
the mre in the most deplorable state =,
my summer suit, embroidered in gold,
lace frils and ruffles, and silk stockings,
were completely spoiled. pretended
to make ligh. of all this, laughing at the
adventure hut determined in my own
mind TO take bloody vengeance, if neces-
sary. for so unworthy a jest. 10 order
to discover the author, it became neces-
sary to affect the most complete indiffcr-
ence. On being taken back to the house,
l was kindly accommodated with linen
and clothes, having brought no supply
with me, as had como to stay only "a
hours. The next morning went to town,
but returned in the evening, and joined
the company as if nothing had happen
ed.
Fabius, who viewed the thing in the
same light as did, told me it would be
impossible 70 discover the author of this
trick; but by promising ducat to
peasant girl, it she would tell me who
sawed the plank, ] succeeded. She
pointed me to a young man,whose tongue
| united with another ducat, accompani-
cd by menaces. He confessed to me
that he acted under the orders Of Mr..
Demetrious, IA Greek merchant, man
between As and so years of age, Of a.
grecable aud jovial disposition, on whom
tho only mystitication, ever played off,
was outrivaling him in the good graces
Of Madame de KS fname de ehambrc, to
whom he had taken IA liking. In the
whole course of my life, ] never fatigued
my brain so much as on this occasion,
in endeavoring to invent some trick with
which to plague thus cursed Greek.
was desirous it should be at least as ex-
traordinary and disagreeabIe rs she one
he had served me. The more thought
on tho subject, the less likely seemed
to obtain the object Of my wishes till u
passing funeral suggested an idea to me
that lost no time IN executing. Towards
midnight | repaired alone, armed with n
cutlass, to the church-yard, where | dis
inferred the newly buried body, and with
some difficulty cut off the arm at the
shoulder joint; nfter replacing the body
in the earth, returned with the dead
mans arm and got unperceived to my
room. The next night l quilted the
company after supper, and taking with
me the dead mans arm, stole into the
Greeks room and concealed myself un-
der the bed. Aquarter Of an hour after
wards my Greek entered his room, un-
dressed himself, put out :he light aud
went to bed. When supposed he was
asleep, gently drew the quilt half off,
lie awoke and said, laughing, "Get n
way with you, whoever you mny be, for
| do not believe in ghosts" He then
drew up the quilt and turned again to
sleep. Afier waiting five or six minutes,
] recommended my operations, and he
again laughed but when he endeavored
to draw up the quilt, held il back and
he Immediately stretched forth his hand