The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-18
THE FATAL JOKE.
BY HELEN c. CAGE.

y Z H. y
II was once present., where small party
Of Young persons were warmly discussing
the subject Of practical joking. After a long
and interesting pebate, the qustion seemed
about to be decided in its favor, when q
gentleman, whose singularly melancholy
and detected air, at once attracted our at
tention, related the following story: i
s.In my younger days / was remarkable
for my fondness for practical joking, even
to such degree that | never allowed a
good opportunity to pass unimproyed.
NV orphan cousin, Robert, to whom |
was fondly attached, was of different
nature from this. He was sober, sedate
and grave, almost to fault, very thought.
full and very bashful. This stupidity, as |
called it, was often check upon my nat
ural 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 bosom the fairest
flowers that New England could boast,
have blossomed, withered and passed
away to eternity, leaving behind them
lasting impress Of their loveliness, now
covers his mouldering ashes. Yes, Rob-
ert is dead, and am the unhappy cause
Of his untimely end, the circumstances of
which will serve to convince you Of the
folly Of "practical joking"
II was late one evening in September,
that Robert and myself retired to our
room to talk over the exciting scenes Of
the day, for it was the night after the elec-
ton, and fine holiday it had been to us.
| had just returned from visit to some
friends in the city, and had, Of course,
brought with me many curious things
which Robert had never. seen nor heard OF.
Among them was mask, the use ofwhich
explained 10 my unsophisticated cousin,
who laughed and wondered why people
could wish to look horribly enough to
wear one.,t, IS xss s6s4 esesti.sy
/ was in my gayest mood. just ready for
an adventure, and seeing he was disposed
to make fun of my mask, proposed an
experiment as asat aa1 s'st slo &
ss.Whatl'' exclaimed my cousin, "you
do not intend to wear it to bed, do you?''
"Far 'FRONT.'" replied; "itis you should
wear the mask, not l. | am quite ape
enough without it''is .2saleas a &
"a very just remark, indeed he OBJ
served, gravely. els di 3t9q b.4t
had never seen him in better humor,
and thought It best to unfold my plans at
once. AT our next door lived a worthy
gentleman, with whose daughter my bash
fii cousin was already smitten. That
very night, as we passed, by, on our re.
turn from the village, he had called and
bade her good night, and received in re-
turn one Of the sweetest smiles from the
happfest eyes and most charming lips /
sTer beheld syE was his bosom friend, and
to me he always entrusted his secrets ALAS!
owlittle have deserved such conidence,)
yet, he always blushed when spoke Of
Iai;aiavsl Els Hsw Il dd'H .7s'l. Biigi7s
Some evil spirit, know NOT what else IL
could have been, prompted me when ] pro-
posed to have q little sport, at her expense.
My'plans were these:- He was to dress
hffnselfifi aSsuit ofclothes. to correspond
with the mask, which by the way, was the
most ffigbtful ]ookingothing Ii ever saw,
repair to the dwelling Of his friend, and
call her to, the door BY rapping Twas to
stand near to witness The result, and parti-
cipats in the joke. etlsla aisis'
He blushed, hung his head and Of course
refused. ] had expected this, but lattsred
myself that r could easily persuade him 10
tie contrary. II was, however, q harder
task than ] had anticipated, fof'his sunwil-