The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-12-03
THE DROP SCENE.
DY THE REV. HOBART CAUNTER.

DY THE REV. HOBART CAUNTER.
had at all times restless propensity for practi-
cal Jokes but have lived long enough to find that
60 like young chickens, they always come home to
roost." Experience is stern di scplinarian she is
nevertheless the nurse of wisdom, and but for her
sage lessons, how often should have dlsgraccd my
grey hairs by trocs which were dear to my
heart, and which have only relinquished because
so frequently found that they left either sting or
a bitter behind.
Propensities and antpathies are merely converse
qualities of our moral nature, both equally difficult
to subduc. 1t is perhaps impossible to struggle a
gainst either with any certainty OF success, until the
actual cautcry of experience has been long enough
applied to deaden the one, correct the other My
propensitics in early life were always active. There
was natural vehemence in my moral temperament,
which found it scarcely possible TO control; and
both in mind and body felt restless impa-
tence for action, which was perpctually involving
me in some difficulty or danger. Nothing could
exceed the delight, which took in the execution oi
a practical joke; and to praise my dexterlty IN an
requirement so perfectly unexclusiye, was at once
to open the nearest passage to my heart. With me
this propensity was an absolute monomana.
was however cured of my fits of agreeable dellrum
without being subjected to the discipline of a shorn
crown a strait wastcoat. | have made up my
mind, as a pcnancc for past folly to record my own
shame, by telling how was cured of my volatile
propensities. | was born in village IN Stafford
shire, in the vicinity of numerous coal-pits, INTO
which had dcccndcd with that eager thirst of GU
riosiiy so prevalent in young and ardent minds. To
me the scene was new and inspiring; and when |
gazcd upon the wonders beneath the earth, dcriy-
ed from them a greater Zcst III contemplating the
wonders above it. | took infinite delight i'll listen
inc to the superstitious legends of goblns damned,
so readily and gravey related by the old pit men ;
aud these subtcrrancan tencmens were the frequent
resort of my holiday hours As was of an active
and buoyant temperament, excitement with me was
the thing nccdiu the ne plus ultra OF moral en-
ioymcnt and that particular excitement occasioned
by the plan and execution of practical Jest was u
bove all things whal most dearly loved. This was
in truth but childish prediction nevertheless, II
grew up with the man othat though IN my adoles-
cent year | could truly say, that 81 spakc rs a
child, thought as II child" yet | could not prcdl-
cate of myself that " when became man | put
away childish things" Matrmony it was thought
would sober my restless and mcrcurial habits, and
| was accordingly soon drawn within the circum-
scribcd boundaries ofa domestic circle. | was still
however, for Joke, in spite of connuba bliss; and
my wife, who was good humorcd and affection
ate as she was beautiful, only laughed ut my hallu-
cnntious, and persuaded her friends to do the like
which gave n stimulus to my habits, and tins IN
creased momentum soon brought them TO n climax
! On the eve of some great day, as well remember
the annual fair of a neghboring town, or some
thing as eycntiul-thc worhnen of large pit neal
my rustic dwelling had obtained leave To work du-
ring the night in order that they might be free tC
enjoy the fun of the fair next day. | accordingly
determined to descend into the pit at the witching
time of night" in the character of goblin and ter
riy these dark rustics order TO quicken their rel
ish for the days pleasures. prepared the necess-
airy disguise, and tied it up in dark bandanna, and
having arranged with friend to assist in my des-
cent into the valley of black diamonds, waited thai
much dreaded hour.
"When curchyar yawn, and graves give up their dead
with the most restless impatience. l almost count
ed the moments but time, as If to mock my ankle
ty, seemed TO have followed his wings and
Like a wounded snake, drag his slow length along
Anxiety is never comaose | had therefore nc
desire TO Sleep for the fever of anticipation had got
so strong hold upon me, that my pulse outran the
the ticking of the clock by at least sixty in minute
The hand of the 6ni, my very great JOY at length
pointed to three quarters past eleven, when sailed
forth. and my friend at the mouth of the pit, await
ing my arrival Ii was beautiful moonlight night
The heavens were starred and cloudless In spite
of my sinister project, could not be insensble to
the oveness of the around me. The blue
vault of heaven was studded with nnumerablc stars.
sparkling with light and life, radical in celestial beau
ty, and recording in a language mute indeed, but
universally ineligible, tho omnipotcIicc Of him who