Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-12-17
THE FATAL JOKE.
by HELEN G. GAGE.

/
was once present-where a small party OF
young persons were warmly discussing the
subject of practical joking. After long and
interesting debate the question seemed to be
decided in its favor, when gentleman, whose
singularly melancholy and detected air at
once attracted our attention, related the fol-
lowing story:
In my younger days was remarkable for
my fondness for practical joking even to such
a degree that never allowed good oppor
tunity TO pass unimproyed.
My orphan cousin, Robert, to whom was
fondly attached was of different nature
from this. He was sober, sedate and grave
almost to fault, very thoughtful and very
bashful This stupidity, as / called II, was
often a check npon my natural gaiety, and
it was seldom that ! could induce him to Join
my boyish sports, though he sometimes did,
merely to crafty me. Poor Robert! the
green turf of his native valley, on whose bo-
som the fairest flowers that New England,
could boast of, have blossomed and withered
and passed away TO eternity, leaving behind
them lasting impress of their lovelin
now covering his mouldering ashes Yes
Robert is dead, and am theunhappy cause
of his untimely end, the circumstances of
which will serve to convince you of the folly
Impractical joking
1t was late one evening early in Septem-
ber, that Robert and myself retired TO our
room to talk over the exciting scenes of the
! day, for it was the night after the election,
and fine holiday it had been TO me.
| had just returned from visit to some
friends in the city, and had Of course, bro't
with me many curious things which Robert
I had never seen nor heard of. Among them
was mask, the use of which explained to
ny usophsticated cousin, who laughed and
wondered why people could wish to look
horribly enough to wear one
was in my gayest mood, Just ready for
an adventure, and seeing he was disposed
to make fun of my mask, proposed an ex-
pertinent.
'Whatf exclaimed my cousin. you do not
intend to wear it to bed do youF
Far from it, replied. 'it is you should
wear the mask; not l. am quite ape enough
without it,
"A very just remark, indeed, he observed
gravey.
| had never seen him in better humor, and
| thought it best TO unfold my plans at once
At our next door lived worthy gentleman,
with whose daughter my bashfu cousin was
already smitten. That very night as we
passed by, on our return from the village,
he had called and bade her good night, and
received in return from the village, he had
/ calledd and bade her good night, and receiv-
ed in return, one of the sweetest smiles from
! the happiest eyes and most charming lips
ever behed. was his bosom *iend, and to
me he always entrusted his secrets (alas
how little have | deserved such cohfdenee,)
/ yet, he always blushed when | spoke of Ju
| lia.
4 Some evil spirit, know not what else it
could have been, prompted me when pro-
posed to have little sport at her EXPENSE
Ny plans were these He was TO dress him
self in a suit of clothes TO correspond with
the mask which by the way was the most
! irightful looking thing ] ever saw. repair TO
the dwelling of his friend, and call her to the
door by rapping. was to stand near to wit
ness the result, and participate tn tho joke.
He blushed hung his head, and of course
refused. had expected this but fattered
myself that could easily persuade him to
the contrary. was however, a harder task
than had ticipated for his unwillingness
seemed greater than ever; the reasonsI read
lily understood.
poh d and pshaw'e ed and finally threat
ened to expose to all the boys his cowardly
disposition as | pleased to term it. and ten
der feeling toward Julia, which as yet, none
of them had discovered. This last argument
proved more successful than the other, for
he we'll knew that never suffered the idlest
threat to remain unfulfled and the fear of
being laughed at, beside betraying that which
he most wished to conceal, conquered and
no yielded, though reluctanctly, his consent.
At that moment, | even eXulted over my tri-
umph, though | have often since wished my
lips had been struck dumb, before | had ut
tered those words that sealed the after fate
of two pure beings But, in my thoughtful-
ness ! rushed heeOlessy on in whatever |
undertook, regardless of consequences. My
wild, reckless spirit, had never been tanned
Finding that there was but one alternative
and that to submit cheerfully to my whim,
he suffered himself to be arrayed as my fan
cy suggested, with good grace, and even
laughed quite heartily as | added garment
after garment in order to make him look as
frightfu as possible yet, afterall could see
that his mind was III at ease, and half con-
demned myself for being the cause of his un
happiness.
When at lenth all was arranged to my sat.
isfaction, placed the horrid mask over his
face, and led him to the mirror. He stared
back and involuntarily placed his hand to his
head, as II to take 1t away, but my lnterier-
ence prevented. He even pleaded that the
penalty had threatened 10 inflct in case he
refused to go might be spared him. But l
was inexorable; was anxious to see the re-
suit, sad the delay caused by his unwilling
ness yea q me.
A renewal of my threats of exposure sue
ceeded in removing all obstacles, and we i'm
mediately set about our adventure. Cautious
l.. IL aI. -. L
each took his station, Robert at the'door,
and ] at the window nearest him.
The curtain was partly drawn aside, so
that covld easily distinguish every object
ia the room,
AS had anticipated. she was alone. The
domestic had retired. and knew her old ia
ther too well to believe that he was any where
bat in the arms of Somnus: Tor he was one
of those sensible DersOns whose maxim is,