The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-13

of the mouth that showed his ability to enjoy,
while his whole demeanor made every acute
observer sure Of his ability to perpetrate
joke. Now and then when his lips parted
and he ran bis fingers through his hair with
languid expression, il was evident he was ca
ger to be at work in his vocation-that Of a
practical joker! The other was dapper
young man, although different in appearance
yet with features that indicated that his mind
| was well-ftted 10 be successful copartrier
with his mate, and dry pun or grayely deli
yered witticism was frequently worked off with
an air OF philosophy or unconcern that gave
him at once the credit Of being first rate wit
Supper on the table, these two Yankees were
not dull as couple generally will be at table,
but made mirth and laughter, and wit their
companions, and as wine in his parti-colored
flowing robes presided, there was ssset out"
fit for prince and his associates. The YAM
KEGS ate and drank and were right merry, when
the old family clock whirred and whizzed as
the hammer on the bell struck one, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven,
twelve! The elder looked up at the old mont
tor before him, struck his elbow on the table
and looked again steadily for minute, and
then laughed out heartily, awakening the wal
ter, who was just doing by the window sill.
What in the name Of Momus arc@you
laughing att" asked the dapper Yankee, as
he cast his eyes now over the table, now over
and around himself to ascertain where the nest
OF the joke was concealed. The elder winked
slyly, and yawning lazily raised the forefnger
o. his right hand and applied it gracefully to
his nose. The dapper man understood the
hint.
Ohio! UNDERSTANDING you don't come
over TINS child waiter, another bottle of cham
pagne." The servant left the room and our
heroes inclining themselves over the table held
a long conversation in low tone, when the
elder of the two raised his voice, and with an
air of satisfaction exclaimed,
Clocks always 90 it !"
Then both cautiously rose from their chairs
and advancing TO the clock, turned the key of
the door, and looked within, the elder in half
inquiring. half decided manner, saying,
Won't itl''
The waiter was on the stairs, and they re-
turned to their seats in trice as If nothing
had happened-both scolding the waiter as he
entered, for being so lazy on his errand.
Having heard the clock strike one, they
were shown to their beds, where they talked
in a subdued tone and finally sunk to sleep.
In the morning, they were early up, and or
dered their horses to be harnessed and brought
to the door. Descending to the bar-room they
asked for the bill, and with becoming prompti-
tude paid the amount due over to the keeper
The elder perceiving the landlord through
the window, placed his arms upon the bar,
and in serious tone inquired Of the bar
keeper if he would dispose Of the old clock
The young man hesitated--he knew not what
to answer. The old clock seemed to him
such miserable piece of furniture that he
had an impression that il might as well be his
as his employers, yet he could not compre-
bend why such person should want such
hideons article. While he was attempting TO
reply, the good-natured landlord entered, and
the question was referred to him for an an
swer
81 wish to purchase thatold clock up stairs!
Will you sell it :" asked the elder Yankee,
while the younger lighted cigar, and cast
his eyes over the Sunday Morning News,
which lay upon the table. The landlord, who
had set no great value upon the clock, except
as an heir loom, began to suspect that it might
possess the virtues of Martin Heywood's
chair, and be filled with dollars; and, almost
involuntarily, the three assembled to the room
which contained it.
"The fact is,' said the Yankee, 81 won
hundred dollars with clock like ihatw
"A hundred dollars " CALCULATED the land
lord.
"Yes you see there was one like it in
room over in Jersey, and fellow bet me
he could keep his forefnger swinging with
the pendulum for an hour, only saying, "here
she goes, there she goes" He couldn't do it.
walked the money out of him in no time"
| "You did You couldn't walk it out of
me. Ill bet you fifty dollars can do it on
the spot"
Done" cried the Yankee.
The clock struck eight, and with his back
to the table and the door, the landlord popped
into chair
"Here she goes, there she goes !" and his
| finger waved in curve, his eyes fully fixed
on the pendulum. The Yankee behind him
interrupted--"where's the money! plank the
money!
The landlord was not to lose in that way.
His forefnger slowly and slowly went with
the pendulum, and his left disengaged his
purse from his pocket, which he threw behind
him upon the table. All was silent. The
dapper man at length exclaimed
"Shall deposit the money in the hands Of
the bar-keeper :"
"Here she goes, there she goes" was the
only answer
One Of the Yankees left the room. The
landlord heard him 60 down stairs, but he was
not to be disturbed by that trick.
Presently the bar-keeper entered and touch
ing him upon the shoulder, and asked,
"Mr. B. -, are you crazy! What are
you doing u"
"Here she goes, there she goes !" he re-