Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-09-13
The man Whe rode the Goat.
BY JOHN w. OLIVER.

In quiet village in the sober State Of
Connecticut, Aourishes prosperous division
of the Sons Of Temperance. Much has
been said about its mysterious mysteries
and many quizzical story, has been told
in relation to the antics of certain goat
said to he connected Herewith.
1t is said that in this quiet village re-
sides among others, a cute Yankee, of a
remarkable, ingenious and curious turn Ct
mind whom, from his resemblaee to the
celebrated Pry family, we shall name Paul
Now Paul took it into his busy noddle to
"enter into the gates of order" without
"riding the goat.'' He therefore looked a.
round among mankind for a green Son Of
Temperance; and having fixed his mind
upon a victim he started in pursuit and
found his man. After exercising his pump.
ing ingenuity in manner too tedious toe
mention, he found himself on the road home
tickled to pieces with the idea of being in
full possession of that mysterious word
which would unlock the division door and
put him in possession of "open sesame"
In the meantime Pauis design was COM
municated to a few waggish spirits of the
division, ,and appropriate arrangements were
made for his reception.
Meeting night came, and after the broth
ers had pretty generally assembled, the o. S.
heard strange noise at the door, like unto
bleating of certain animal familiarl y called
Billy. The O. S.. true to his instructions
opened the door ajar.
"Bah," said Paul.
"Bah! BAH! Bah!! returned the o. S.
and open flew the door.
Paul walked in, looking very knowingly
the while, and took a seat among the ini
tiated. The sham business proceeded a.
though nothing had happened.
"Worthy patriarch" at length said I
member, in solemn and impressive man.
ner, "the man who entered having neglected
to turn the usual somerset and light upol
his big toe, it is very evident to my mint
that he has not been initiated. l there
fore move that we proceed to put hin
through"
sSecond the motion" shouted dozen a
once.
Il guess I'd better retire." said Paul
rising and evidently uneasy-"I CUES
there must be some mistake" And h
"went for to CO." But they would not 'le
him.
'Any one who once gets here must g
through" said blacksmith who stood 81
feet without his boots. $50 just be quie
till we get the goat ready"
The door was fastened, and all hope G
escape was cut off. Paul trembled. Th
blacksmith opened closet and pulled ou
sack. Paul turned white.
"Prepare the victim!' said the w. P.
Paul sprang to his feet and begged fo
mercy-"but no mercy there was known.
He was hustled into the sack, in spite Of al
the resistance he could make. The goa
happened to be out of sorts that night, ant
so wheelbarrow was substituted. Pau
was trundled around the room-first back
wards and then forwards, and over sticks o
wood and, down stairs and up stairs.
! "Bah!" said the blacksmith, stopping
to blow.
@Please let me out, pleaded Paul.
@Can't yet" returned the blacksmith
sHaint reached the Niagara-must pu
you through the shower-bath." And Pau
wiped away the perspiration.
Creak, creak, went the old wheelbarrov
around the room again. At Pauls earnes
solicitation, the shower-bath was omitted
He declared it would give him cold.
Having been otherwise 'put through
Paul was liberated "a terrified man. HI
started for lawyer for vengeance. Blu
the lawyer told him he had better say moth
ing about it-and he finally concluded no
to.
/ 1t so happened that where Paul worked &
number of girls were employed. One day
Paul entered the ladies department. Tha
morning an Irish girl had been admitted tt
| the establishment, and the mischievous imp
among the girls had wrapped her up in ;
|, piece of canvass and were wheeling he
about the floor.
:. @What are you doing?" asked Paul.
) "Biddy's riding the goat, archly sail
the ring leader.
}, Paul bolted. t--
| sThe man who rode the goat" is we
known in the village-and is often pointe
: out by the little boys.