The native American., 1839-03-30
THE OLD CLOCK.
"HERE SHE GOES, THERE SHE GOES !"

mily from England, which settled on the upper
.rt of this island, and opened public house
mong their chattels was old family CLOCK
hich they priced more for lis age than its actu-
value, although il had told the hours for years
, wears with The most commcndable fidelity.
his clock is now situated in one of the private
arlors of the house, and many time has it been
theme of remark in consequence OF It's
,lemnly antique exterior.
A few DAYS since, about dusk, couple of mad
rags drove up TO the door of the hotel, seated in
light and beautiful wagon, drawn by superb
ay horse. They sprang out-ordered the osller
pay every attention to the animal and to stable
Jim for the night. Entering the hotel, they toss
ed off glass of wine piece, bemouthed cigar
and directed the landlord TO provide the best game
supper in his power. There was winsome look
in the counenauce of the elder--a bright spark
ling in his eyes which occasionally he half-closed
in style that gave him the air of "a knowing
one" and slight curving of the corners 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 his fingers
through his hair with languid expression, it
was evident he was eager to be at work in his vo-
cation-that of practical joker! The other was
a dapper young man, although different i'll APP
pearance, yet with features which indicated that
his mind was well-6ued to be successful copart
ner with his mate, and dry pun or gravely de-
tivered wtticism was frequently worked off with
IN air Of philosophy or uncOncern that gave him
It once the credit of being first-rate wit. Sup
,er on the table, these two Yankees were not dull
!. is 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 a . set OUT fit for prince
and his associates. The Yankees ate and drank
and were ght merry, when the old family clock
whrred and whizzeu as the hammer on the bell
struck one, two three, four, fye six, seven, eight
! nine, ten, eleven, twelve! The elder looked up
at the old monitor before him, stuck his elbow on
the table and looked again steadily for minute,
and then laughed out heartily, awakening the
| waiter, who was just doing by the window-sill.
"Wlat in the name of Menus are you laugh
ing att" asked the dapper Yankee as he cast his
eyes now over the table, now over and around
himself, to ascertain where the zest of the joke
was concealed. The elder winked slyly, and
yawning lazily, slowly raised the forefnger of his
right hand and applied j: gracefully to his nose.
! The dapper man understood the hint.
'Oho! l UNDERSTANDING you don't come over
this child waiter, another bottle of champagne
The servant left the room and our heroes inclili-
ing themselves over the table held long con-
versation in lone tone, when the elder Of the
two raised his voice, and with all air of satslac-
| ton exclaimed,
Clocks always 60 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 in
curing, half decided manner saying,
Won't it,!
| The waiter was on the stairs, and they returned
TO their seats in trice as if nothing had happen
ed-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 sub
dued tone, ana finally sunk to sleep. In the
morning, they were early up, and ordered their
horse TO be harnessed and brought to the door.
Descending to the bar-room they asked for their
bill, and with becoming promptitude paid the
amount due over to the keeper The elder per-
Iceiving the landlord through the window, placed
his arms upon the bar, and in serious tone in
CURED 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 it might as well be his as
his employers yet he could not comprehend why
such person should want such hi,leous article.
While he was attempting to reply, the good-na-
tured landlord entered, and the question was re-
ferred to him for an answer.
i wish to purchase that old clock up stairs!
Will you sell it 2 asked the elder Yankee, while
the younger lighted cigar, and cast his eye over
the columns of 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 Involuntary, the three
assembled to the room which contained it,
'The fact is, said the Yankee, i once won
hundred dollars with clock like that!'
"A hundred dol ars!' calculated the landlord.
Yes! You see there was one like it in room
over in Jersey, and fellow bet me he could
keep his forefinger swinging with the pendulum
for an hour only saying Here she goes, there she
goes. lie couldn't do it. walked the money
ont Of him in no time
You did! You couldn't walk it out of me-
I'll bet you fifty dollars can do it on the spotn
Done cried the Yankee.
The clock struck eight, and with his back to
the tale and the door, the landlord popped into
a chair
Here she goes, there she goesr and his finger
waved in a curve his ewes fully f;xed an tho non