True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-04-18

A laughable story, entitled, "The Old Clock" which
appeared recently in a New York penny paper. and
which has had. quite n run, appears to be but a variation
mot an improvement upon the following older and
much shorter story OF
THE BARBYR OF DUNsE.
A gentleman, possessing an uncommon share of wit
and humor, had occasion to lodge for the night in COM
pany with some friends, at the inn Of Il town which, for
certain reasons, we shall denominate Dunse. Requiring
the services Of a barber, he was recommended to Walter
Dron, who was represented as not only skilled in that
profession, but excellent at cracking a joke or telling a
story. This tunctionsry being forthwith introduced,
made such a display of oral and manual dexteri1y as TO
Il very favorable impression, and induced the latter to
invite him t" sit down to a friendly glass. The circula-
ton OF the bottle tended to snow off the barber in the
huppiest mood; aud the fucctious gentleman, amid the
general hilarity, thus addressed him:
"Now, Walter, engage to give you q guinea on the
following terms: That you leap backward and forward,
over your chair, for the space Of half an hour, leisurely,
yet regularly, crying at every leap, Here goes l, Wal
Ter Drou, barber of Dunse.' But should you utter any
thing else in the time specified, you forfeit the reward"
Walter, though no doubt surprised At the absurdity of
the guinea, and ,he improbnbiiity that such an opportu-
nifty would ever again present itself, agreed to the stipu-
lations. The watch was set, and the barber having
stripped off his coat, leaning with one hand en- the back
of his cluir, commenced leaping over the seat, uniformly
repra: lug i'll In exulting tone, the words prescribed.
After matters had gone on thus smoothly for about
five minutes, the gentleman rnng the bell, and thus nc
costed the waiter: what is The reuson, sir, you insult me
by sending a mud Glow like that, instead Of sending me
u proper barber, as you pretended he was? Burber,
(leapng)-'liere goes ! Walter Dron, barber of Dunse.'
Waiter, oh. sir. l don't know what is the matter, 1
never saw h,m in this state before. Mr.. Dron, what do
you mcan?' Barber Here goes I Wulter'-Wuiter,
: Bless me, NJ. uron, recollect these ore gentlemen,
how can you make such a fool of YOURSELF Barber,
there goes -
Landlord entering in haste. What the devil, sir, is
all this? 2 The fellow is mad. How dare you insult a
gentleman in my house by such conduct Barber,
6 here goes |, Waller Dron-.' Landlord, Il say
Bob, run for his wife, for this can't be put up with.
Gentlemen, the man is evidently %deranged, md l hope
yon will not let my house be injured by this business
Here goes'-Wife, pushing my 'oh, Walter, what's
this that's come over yeI DO you not ken your all
wifeT B~arber-'hcre goes - Wife, weeping
Q Walter, Walter, if ye care IN for me, mind YOU
BARNS at home, and come away with me- Barber
here goes !, WAL. The afflicted wife now clnsped
her husband round the neck, and hung on him so efisc.
tually us to resist his further progress. Much did poor
Walter struggle to shake Oifhis loving and unwrlcoinu
spouse, but II was no so'-his g%alioping was ut m end
con!onnd you for an idiot" he bitterly exclaimed. ii
never could win II guinea SO easily in my life 1t is
only necessary to add, that the explanation lint imme.
diately ensued, wus much more satisfactory to mir q
host than the barber's better half md that The gentle.
met restored Walter to his usual good l,ulnor, by gen
erously r%ewarding his exerlions with the well earned
g~uinea.-ScotCh paper.