Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-03-27
M IsC u r. r. A NJ Y.
From the New York sunday Morning News.
THE OLD CLOCK.
+" HERE SHE CO.'S, THERE she Co.'s"

and opened public house. Among theiI
chattels was an old family clock which
they priced more for its age than its actu-
al value, although it had told the hour fol-
years on years with the utmost common
dable fidelity. This clock is now sItua.
ted in one Of the private parlors OF the
! house, and many time has been the
theme of remark in consequence Of its SO.
Tenn antique exterior.
A few days since, about dusk, coup
lie of mad wags drove up to the door ofthe
hotel, seated in light and beautiful wag.
gon, drawn by superb bay horse
They sprang out-ordered the ostler &c
stable him for the night. Entering the
hotel they tossed off glass of wine a
piece, bemouthed cigar, and directed
the landlord to provide the best game
supper in his power. There was win.
some look in the countenance the elder
"a bright sparkling in his eyes which
occasionally he half closed in style that
gave the air of ga knowing one," and a
slight curving ofthe corners of the mouth
that showed his ability to enjoy, while his
whole demcanor made every acute obser-
YER sure OF his ability to perpetrate a
Joke. Now and then when his lips par
ted and he ran his fingers through his
hair with languid expression, It was CIV.
ident he was eager TO be at work IN his
vocalon-,bat of a practical joker.
The other was dapper young man,
although different in appearance, yet
with features that indicated that his mind
was well fitted to be successful copart-
ner with his mate, and a dry pun or
gravelv delivered witticism was frequent
ly worked off with an air of philosophy or
unconcern that gave him at once the cred.
it of being first.rate wit. Supper on
the table, these two yankees were not
dull as couple generally will be at ta-
BILE, but made mirth and laughter, and wit
their companions, and as wine in bis par
,i.colored flowing robes presided, there
was a " set out" fit for prince and his
associates. The yankees ate and drank
and were right merry, when the old fam.
ilv clock whirred and whzzed as the
hammer on the bell struck one, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, ele-
ven twelve! the elder looked up at the
old monitor before him, struck his elbow
on the ia BILE and looked again steadily Tor
minute, and then laughed out heartily,
awakening the waiter, who was Just do
zing by the window sill.
What in the name Of Menus are you
laughing at 2" asked the dapper Yankee,
as he cast his eyes now over the table,
now over and around himself to ascertain
where the nest ofthe joke was concealed.
The elder winked slyly, and yawning la
lilly raised the forefnger ofhis right hand
and applied il gracefully to his nose
The dapper man understood the hint.
"Oho? UNDERSTANDING you don't
come over this child waiter another bot
tie of Champagne" The servant left
the room and our heroes inclning them.
selves over the table held long CONVEX
sation in low tone, when the elder of
the two raised his voice, and with On air
Of satisfaction, exclaimed,
"Clocks always goes ~
Then both cautiously rose from their
chairs and advancing to the clock, turned
the key ofthe door, and looked within, the
elder in half inquIring, half decided
manner saying,
Won'tit."
The waiter was on the stairs, and they
returned TO their seats in trlce as If no.
thing had happened-both scolding the
waiter as he entered, for being so lazy
on his errand.
Having heard the clock strike one, they
we're shown to their beds, where they
talked in a subdued tone, and finally sunk
to sleep. In the morning, they were ear
w up, and ordered their horses TO be har-
messed and brought to the door. Descen-
ding in the bar-room they asked for the
bill, and with becoming prompitude paid
the amount over to the keeper. The ell
der percelving the landlord through the
window, placed his arms upon the bar, and
in a serious tone enquired OF the keeper II
he would dispose Of the old clock. The
Young man hesitated--he new not what
to answer. The old clock appeared to
him such a miserable piece Of furniture,
that he had an impression that it might as
we'll be his employers, yet he could not
comprehend why such a person should
want such hideous article. While he
was attempting to reply the good natured
landlord entered, and the question was
referred to him for on answer.
81 wish to purchase that old clock up
stairs Will you sell II" asked the ell
der Yankee, while the younger lighted a
cigar, and cast his eyes over the Sunday
Morning News which lay npon The table.
The landlord, who bad set no great value
upon the clock, except as an heir loom,
began to suspect that it might possess the
virtues OF Martin Honeywood's chair, and
be filled with dollars; and, almost invol-
unfairly, the three assembled to the room
1