Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-06-14

W.,
bold. hot-headed, humorous fellow, who it may be
promised, was an inimitable mimic. Harvey was the
soul of the party but owing to practical
Jokes which he had perpetrated at the expense ofhs
companions, they were all anxious on the present
casion, to put trick upon him This there were
none of them witty enough to invent, but accident
afforded them idea.
1t happened that the whole party assembled
at the tavern the night appointed at quarter be-
fore ten, with the exception of Harvey.
"What are we waiting for o. asked one.
"Ned Harvey" replied another.
"True Ned is behind hand
"No he amt don't you see it isn't time yet Tens
the hour"
"You're right. But propose, boys"
"Well. what is it q
"That we give the slip!''
land 90 without him o.
Exactly
ga splendid idea = cried one
"a fine joke 2" added another.
The party accordingly silently left the the tavern
and in the direction of Deacon Newcombs
peach orchard.
Five minutes after Ned Harvey came in. surpr-
sed at not meeting his companions, whom he suppos
ed would be for the most part assembled, he looked
at the clock then at his watch, and finally inquired
of the bar-keeper if he had the correct time.
1t wants eight minutes and three quarters of
ten" said the gentleman addressed to fraction -
Harvey sat down and remained quiet just eight
minutes and three quarters, when the hour having
arrived at which his companions had promised to be
assembled: he b, began to suspect foul play:
YES" replied the bartender.
"And Charley B-!'
eyes"
And Bill G-?'
Yes, they left here just before you came in
Ned L and Frank A were with them"
Harvey bit his lips; he through the entire
plot; and he asked himself, I" How the deuce can
come up with the rascals !''
An idea struck him. and he rubbed his hands and
chucked audibly. He left the tavern in hot haste,
and proceeded homeward in high glee He already
felt his triumph complete, and saw his companions
the victims of their own treachery. Instead of a
farming the deacon, he resolved to play the part of
deacon himself. The night was just dark enough to
favor his design although there was a moon, the
sky cloudy, and the light of the night queen
obscured.
Harvey procured an old hat similar to the one Dea-
con Newcomb wore, pulled it over his eyes, and dis
guised himself still more ehectualy by exchang ing
his jacket for old frock coat which bore stri-
king resemblance to the old was frequently
seen to have Provided with this Disguise and
being possessed, as before stated, of wonderful pow
ers of mimicry, he had not doubt of his ability to
counterfeit the gentleman closely that his COM
panions would not discover the cheat.
! Having armed himself with strong whip, Ned
set out to surprise the trespassers at their work of
darkness. He not long in reaching the deacon's
orchard and not many minutes had elapsed before
he had discovered the whereabouts of his compan-
ions.
Four of them were sitting upon the grass near the
fence, and directly under one of the finest peach
trees on the old mans premises. They were enj oy-
ing delightful feast on the luscious fruit which
of the trespassers shaking from the tree he
had climbed
"Stolen waters are sweet, and so are stolen peach
es, | should judge!' muttered Ned Harvey as he
crept sealthily towards his companions along by the
fence.
He was soon so near that he could overhear their
conversation; and stopped to listen.
sThis is what call Intellectually exclaimed
Dick swallowing ripe mellow peach as he spoke.
"What delicious rareripes!" whispered Charley.
sExcellent!'
But not so good the joke, after all' said Bill
cha! ha y laughed Frank, who was on the tree.
s.Ha hal" echoed Charley. Amt it a rich Joke
It tells beautifully the old mans stingy DISPOSE
ton
"And pays up Ned Harvey, too !" exclaimed Dick
ooh! didn't we give him the slip nicely!
eyes, said Bill, but Pm afraid he'll expose us
to the old deacon"
, "Never fear'' returned Charley "Ned Harvey
| amt the chap to do such trick that. But
} wouldn't he be worked up, if he knew how we are
enjoying ourselves without his precious company 2"
"Wouldnt he g. chuckled Ned to himself
'And wouldn't it start the old Deacon laughed
Dick, if any one should tell him how we are enjoy
ing ourselves at his expense q
8 Ha! ha! ha! !" laughed the whole company
= "Have you filled the bage" demanded Frank, on
the tree.
"Yes-and our stomachs too'
"Then I'm coming down to have my share!
"Nows my time,'' thought Ned.
1t is impossible to describe the CONSERVATION of his
treacherous friends, he sprang out upon them
Disturbed Unexpectedly and suddenly in the quiet
enjoyment of the stolen fruit, they knew not where
to turn, but ran against each other, and knocked
each other down. while the frightened Frank pitch
ed headlong from the tree among his fallen compap
! ions.
Here you are, are you :" cried Ned initiating the
old deacon's voice. "Ah, you thieving rascals Eve
caught you at it this time, and Ill give you peaches
! enoughn'
= So saying, Ned used his heavy whip with all his
force striking the trespassers their backs, and
their heads and across their faces knocking them
down as fast as they got up and attempted to rum
) At last they scrambled away, he chased Them anC
hitting first and then another, and screaming il
: the deacon's voice
':Ah, you villainous whelps I'll larn you t,
steal peaches out of my orchard I'll larn you, you
!, good-for nothing, ungodly thieving wretches!"
At length thinking he had punished them severely
enough for their treachery Ned Appeared to give vi
the chase, while his companions hid in the corner
= dropped down his knees, and crept along toward
under the fence in order to hear what they said
q BILL whispered one
4 What" muttered Bill.
! 'Where are you o.
" I" Here, in the corner of the fence with Dick"
''Ain't you dead ?'
q No! but should be, if he had hit me once more
e only just once; the head as he did :"
: % He almost broke my back ~ said o timid voice
in another corner of the fence.
q He drew blood on my face,n said Charley an,
his unmerciful sharp lash has left ridge on my fin
;, ger! y