Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-10-14
MuNGo MAckAY, THE PRACTICAL JOKER.


q: all the mad devotess to the science OF practical jok
ing-of all the nvetefate manufacturers OF mischief this
line OF acting the most systematically troublesome that
heard OF Mungo Mackay, OF the town of Boston, on
Massachusetts Bay. Others follow the sport most men
follow the hounds cultivate music recreation, but
Mackay might be said TO follow II though his
trade. With them Is the by play, with him it the
business OF life. IL food aud rumcnt TO him lie
could exist without, plot against the tranquility OF his
neghborhood; he laughed but when others rage
and enjoyed TO mark when those around him suffer
ing from the results OF his inventive genius. His father
died just he had grown mans estate leaving him
comfortable independence aud from that period he pass
ed his days and nights crusade against the good people
OF Boston. lie lsimaetish VIII for truly This
hand against every and every mans hand against
him." and the hand OF every irom the Charles
River South Boston, and for many miles round the vii
uso by semicirce OF which the ancient capital OF the
land U steady habits is enclosed.
One cold. November night, in the year Is, the
wind blew though 1t would blow down old Fanieul Hail.
and the rain fell in such that Bunker Hill
~ washed away. The sky black nll round my
hat and tie air compounded of that delightful admiN-
rc OF frost and moisture IN which there enough of the
latter open the pores while the former goes directly
the heart In the midst Of the rmbng OF the elements tall
figure might be vending s,eahily along the
lonely alleys, shod with pair Of ishemans boots
and enveoped m huge pea jacket Cor indeed rbbes and
Mscknioscs were unknown IN those DAYS, until it halted
under the window al lonely cottage distance from
the town, and the family berg time bed knocked
swcred; but after repeated TIT mps bed room window
thrown up and voice demanded who was there.
Pray, sir" said Mackayor 1t was he Evil you be
kind enough TO tell If person named Nun lives this
neighborhoOdl"
"ro be sure he does" replied the voice from the win
dow, che lives here"
Il am glad of that for the night very stormy and
have something Of great importance communicate TO
him.
'Ot great importance Of great importance did you
say know Of nothing very important that concern
this hour Of the night; but whatever let us hear
II. am the person you
Speak little louder II you please said Mackay Il en-
that daft o., h
you say your NuttH
Certainty did, and wish you would make haste to com
municate whatever you have say, for have nothing
tut my shirt and nghtcap, and the wind Is whisi.ng
through me nation cold.
Have got uncle in Boston very old and cidess
worth ten thousand dollars.
At TINS question long pointed white ngh.cap was
thrust cut .; the window; ana in instant, together with
the SHIRT collar that followed it, saturated with rain.
Nv nat did you say about uncle and tie thousand dol
lars There is my uncle Whceer-yery old and very rich
but what of him -
oh nothing yet till certain Of my man. There
may be good many Nuts about here. Its Nuit want
am the man., said the voice IN the night cap There
i no mistake There's not for twenty miles round
the name OF Mutt bat and besides M Christian name
IS John; and | have uncle in Boston.
by this time the whole back and sleeves Of the shirt were
'uI Of TIE window the assel the end OF white uirht
gap nearly touched the ping Of the house,
ana mad there been light enough have SEEM painter
might have caught an attitude of anxiety aud face or
rather two Gces tor 10y this time there female peepnp
over Nuts shoulder, beamn with tho anticipation of good
fortune come.
WELL said Mackay, very deliberately suppose may
venture to speak OUT Lu; mind there any mistake
you cannot say II my iau'
No, certainly not cried voices from the window
You say your name is John Mutt, do YOU
i do
We'll. then, all have say is ay the crack Uou
The two heads drawn in like lightning from the
rain and, rs the window slammed down with yo.
ence that bespoke rage and disappointment loud horse
laugh rose upon the wind and the lover Of practical Jokes
turned on his heel to rdge homeward through the mist as
the good woman inside going in search OF the finder
box to enable her 10 hunt up dry chescs shirts and night
caps
The story was many years afterwards done verse; at.
ter the manner OF Coman the younger by clever student
at Harvard University but all that remember of the poet.
~ arc the two concluding lines -.
" And If your name be certainly John Mutt,
why then, the devil crack you