Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-05-26
TERMS 81 SO In advance.
WHOLE NO. 1913.
THE OLD CLOCK.

has ever read, we give it 10 our readers. and
hope it may afford them as hearty laugh as
it did ourselves, when we first read it many
years ago. 1t has gone the rounds of the press
before, and doubtless many of our readers viii
remember it. 1t will bear a repetition, how
ever Ed. Jour.
HERE SHE GOES, THERE SHE GOES Some
years ago there came TO this country family
from England, which settled on the upper part
OF this island, and opened a public house.
Among their chattels was an old family clock
which they priced more for lis age than its
actual value, although it had told the hours
for years on years with the most commenda-
BILE fidelity. This clock is now situated in
one OF the private parlors of the house, and
many time has been the theme OF remark in
consequence of its soemnly antique exterior.
A few days since, about dusk, couple of
mad wags drove up to the door of the hotel,
seated in light and beautiful wagon, drawn
by superb bay horse. They sprung out
ordered the ostler TO pay every attention TO the
animal, and 10 stable him for the night En-
terlng the hotel, they tossed off glass of wine
| apiece, bemouthed cigar, and directed the
| landlord TO provide the best game supper in
his power. There was winsome look in the
countenance of the elder-a bright sparkling
IN his eyes, which occasionally he half-closed
in style that gave him the air of "a know
ing one and slight curving of the corners
of the mouth that showed his ability to enioy,
while his whole demeanor made every acute
observer sure of his ability to penetrate, a
joke. Now and then, when his lips parted
and he ran his fingers through his hair with a
| iaDunI6 o. II ho
ger to be at work in his yocation-that of a
practical joker! The other was a dapper
young man, although different in appearance,
| yet with features which indicated that his
mind was well fitted to be a successful CO
partner with his mate, and a dry pun or grave
ly delivered wittlcism was frequently worked
off with an air of philosophy or unconcern,
that gave him at once the credit of being a
first rate wit. Supper on the table, these two
Yankees were not dull as couple generally
will be at table, but made mirth, and laugh
ter, and wit their companions, and as wine in
his party colored flowing robes presided, there
WAS set OUT tit for prince and his asso-
ciates. The Yankees ate and drank and were
right merry. when the old family clock whir-
red and whiZZed as the hammer on the bell
struck one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve The elder
looked up at the old monitor before him, struck
! his elbow on the table, and looked again stead
lily for minute, and then laughed out hearth
ly, awakening the waiter, who was Just do
zing by the window sill.
What in the name OF Menus are you
laughing at" asked the dapper Yankee, as he
cast his eyes now overthe table, now over
and around himself, to ascertain where the
nest of the Joke was concealed. The elder
winked slyly, and yawning lazily, slowly
raised the forefnger of his right hand and APP
piled it gracefully to his nose. The dapper
man understood the hint
'Oho | UNDERSTANDING Won don't come it
over this child Waiter, another bottle of
champagne The servant left the room and
our heroes inclining themselves over the ia
BILE, held long conversation in low tone,
when the elder of the two raised his voice, and
with an air of satisfaction exclaimed,
Clocks always go tip
Then both cautiously rose from their chairs,
and advancing to the clock, turned the KEY OF
the door, and looked within, the elder in a
half-inquiring, half-decided manner, saying,
Wont it ::
The waiter was on the stairs, and they re.
turned 10 their seats in a trice as if nothing
had happened-both scolding the waiter, as he
entered, for being SO lazy on his errand
Having heard the clock strike one, they
were shown 10 their beds, where they talked
in subduel tone, and finally sunk 10 sleep
In the morning they were early up, and order
ed their horse to be harnessed and brought TO
the door, Descending TO the bar room, they
asked for their bill, and with becoming prompt
tude paid the amount due over 10 the keeper
The elder, perceving the landlord through
the window, placed his arms upon the bar
and In serious tone inquired of the bar keep
er if he would dispose of the old clock. The
young man hesitated-he knew not what 10
answer. The old clock seemed to him such
a miserable piece of furniture, that he had an
impression that it might as we'll be his as his
employers, yet he could not comprehend why
such person should want such hdeous ar
ticle. While he was attempting TO reply, the
COOL natured landlord entered, and the ques-
ton was referred TO him for an answer.
Il wish TO purchase the old clock up stairs
Will you sell it i" asked the elder Yankee,
while the younger lighted cigar, and cast
his eye over the newspapers which lay upon
the table The landlord who had set no great
value upon the clock, except as an heir loom,
began 10 suspect that it might possess the viz
tues of Martin Eleywood's chair, and be filled
with dollars, and, almost involuntariIy, the
three assembled to the room which contained it..
The fact is said the Yankee. | once won
hundred dollars with clock like that
"A hundred dollars :! calculated the land
lord
Yes! You see there was one like it in a
room over in Jersey, and fellow bet me he
could keep his forefnger swinging with the
pendulum for an hour, only saying, Here
she goes, there she goes He couldn't do it.
walked the money out of him in no time
You did You couldn't walk it ont of
me- I'll bet YOU fifty dollars can do it on
the spot'
Done, cried the Yankee.
The clock struck eight and with his hack
to the table and the door, the landlord popped
into the chair
Here she goes, there she goes " and his
finger waved in curve, his eyes fully on the
pendulum The Yankees behind him inter
rupted- = Where's the money? Plank the
money
The landlord was not to lose in that way
His forefinger, slowly and surely, went with
the pendulum, ana his left disengaged his
purse from his pocket, which he threw behind
him upon the table. All was silent. The
dapper man at length exclaimed
Shall deposite The money in the hands OF
| the bar keeper"
Here she goes. there she goes' was the
only answer.
One of the Yankees left the room; The
Iandlotd heard him go dow stars; but ne was
not 10 be disturbed BY the trick.
Presently the bar keeper entered, and touch
:. - ,,nou the shoulder asked