The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-01-18
MUNGO MACKAY, THE PRACTICAL
JOKER.

most Systematically troublesome that ever T
heard of was Mungo Mackay, of the town Of
Boston, on Massachusetts, Bay. Others fol-
low the sport as most men follow the hound
or cultivate music-as recreation; but Mac
kay might be said to follow it as though it
were his trade. With them it is the by-play;
with him it was the business of life 1t was
food and raiment to him; he could not exist
without plot; agains the tranquility of the
neighborhood he laughed but when others
were in a rage andenjoyed to mark when
those around him were suffering from the re-
suit ofhis inventive genius. His father died
Just as he had grown to mans estate, leaving
him comfortable independence; and from
that pedod he passed his days and nights in
crusade against the good people of Boston.
He was an Ishmaelitsh wit; and truly Nhis
hand was against every man, and every mans
hand against him." and the hand of every
woman too, from CHARLES river to South Bos-
ton, and for many miles round the villages,
by asemicircle of which the ancient copitol
of the land of steady habits is enclosed.
One cold, raw night, in the year 19-,the
wind blew as though it would blow down old
Faneuil Hall, and the rain fell in such tor
rents that Bunker Hill was nearly washed
away. The sky was as black as Hall round
my hat" and the air was compounded of
that delightful admixture of frost and moist
ure in which there is enough of the latter to
open the pores, while the former goes direct
ly TO the heart. In the midst of the rumb-
ling elementa tallE6gure might be seen wend
ing stealthily along the narrow streets and
lonely alleys, shod with pair of fsherman's
boots, and enveloped in hugh pea-jacket-
for India-rubbers and Mackentoshes were
unknown in those days-until it halted un-
der the window Ola lonely cottage at some
distance from the town; and, the family be-
ing some time in bed, knocked violently at
the door. At first, his rude summons were
unanswered; but after repeated thumps a
bed room window was thrown up, and voice
demanded who was there.
Pray, sir said Mackay--for it was he
will you be kind enough TO tell me ifa per-
son named Mutt, lives in this neighbor-
hood?'
TO be sure he does replied the voice from
the window, she lives here.'
! am glad Of that, tor the night is very
stormy, and have something of great i'm
portance 10 communicate 10 him.
greatimportance! fgreati importance
did you say? / know of nothing very iInpor-
tant that can concern NE at this hour of the
night:-but what ever il is let US hear it.
am the person that you want
Speak a little louder if you please said
Mackay, i am somewhat deaf, andt spout
makes such noise. Did you say your name
was Nuti?'
certainly did; and | wish you would
make haste to communicate whatever You
have TO say, for have nothing on but my
shirt and night ap,and the wind is whisiling
through me nation cold-'
Have you got an uncle in Boston very old
and chldEess, worth Ten thousand dollars?
| At this question long pointed white-nighi
cap was thurst out of the window, and in an
instant together with the shirt collar that fol-
flowed it, was saturated with rain.
What did you say about an uncle and
ten thousand dollars? There is my uncle
Wheeler-very old and very aich-but whai
ofhim?'
ooh, nothing as yet till am certain ofmy
man. There may be good many Nuts abou
1 here II is J. NuttI WANT
& am the man. said the voice in the night
cap.
There is no mistake There's not
man for twenty miles round Of the name o
Mutt but me; and besides my christian
! name is John, and have an uncle in Bos
TAM
By this time the whole back and sleeve.
Of the shirt were out of the window ;and thu
tassel at the end of the white-night-ca
nearly touched the green palings in font Q
the house; and, had there been light enough
TO have seen, painter might have caugh
an attitude of anxiety, and face-or rattle
two faces, for by this time there was fe
male peeping over Nutt's shoulder, beam
ing with the anticipation Of good fortune +
come.
II WELL said Mackay, deliberately, 4 sup
/: pose l may venture to speak out, you canno
5 say it was my fault
a No, certainly not cried two voices fror
: the window.
i'll You say your name is John Mutt
! youn
= 1do'
i well, then, all have to say is-npay til
: dcriI crack yOu'
The two heads were drawn in like Ugh
. ming from the rain; and,as the window wa
: Islmmed down with violence that bespok
rage and disappointment, loud horse !aug
: rose upon the wind, and the lover of pact
:, cal Jokes turned on his heel to trudge homl
lei ward through the mist, as the good woma
! inside was going in search of the finder be
: to enable her to hunt up dry chemises,shirt
and night-caps.
! One pleasant Sunday morning, Macka
= went to church betimes, took his seat in
central pew, just under the shadow of Il
~ mint and sat bolt ,rr;hs with his arms q