Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-14

THE APRIL FOOL.
BY KATE SUTHERLAND.

THE APRIL FOOL.
| BY KATE SUTHERLAND.
| Nothing is so much enjoyed by some
men, as practical joke; and the greater
the annoyance they can occasion, the
greater their delight. Of this class was
Mr.. Thomas Bunting who resided in a
village few miles out of New York.
Bunting kept store for the sale Of al.
most every article known in domestic
and agricultural life, from number ten
needle up to a hoe-harrow; and from a
mint stick up to bag of coffee. Con-
sequenily, he was pretty well acquainted
with all the towns people, who were
likewise pretty well acquainted with
him.
As Bunting was constantly playing of
his pranks upon one another, he only
kept himself free of enemies by his good
temper and ability to soo,h the parties
he sometimes irri,ated beyond the point
of endurance.
The FIRST Of April was never permitted
to come and 60 without being well i'm
proved by the joke-loving Thomas. If
customer sent for pint of brandy on
that day, he would be very apt TO get
four gills of vinegar; or, if for pound
Of sugar, half pound of New Orleans
mixed with an equal weight Of silver
sand. That was smart child who
would come into his store on the occa-
sion, and leave it without being the VIC
tim of some trick. So, from morning
ill night or the first day of April, the
face of Thomas Bunting was one broad
grin. Full of invention as TO ways and
means Of playing off tricks upon others,
our merry friend was exceedingly wide
awake to any efforts at retaliation; and
it generally happened that most of those
who sought TO catch him, got the laugh
turned upon themselves.
Two years ago, as tho first of April
approached, Bunting began TO think of
the sport awaiting him. and to cast his
eyes over The town to see who was the
most fitting subject for good jest.
"l must make fool of somebody"
said he to himself; frs. rate fool. I'm
tired Of mere child's play in this bus
mess. Who shall i, be! There's Doc
Tor Grimes. Suppose send him to see
the young widow Gray! He'd like to
make her visit exceedingly, ! know.
But the widow knows me of old, and
will be sure to suspect my agency. /
guess that won't do. Grimes is good
subject; and I've got sort of spite a.
gainst him. must use him somehow.
The widow Gray would be first rate;
but I'm little afraid TO bring her in
The doctors as poor as Jobs turkey,
and would be off to visit her on run
Let me see! What shall | do? I've
go, il! Ill send him to York on fools
errand!"
And Bunting snapped his finger and
thumb in childish delight.
Doctor Grimes, 10 whom our joker
referred, had been in the village only
abou, year: and in that time, had sue
ceeded in making but small practice.
Not that he was wanting in abb ity; but
he lacked address. In person he was
rather awkward; aud, in manners, far
| from prepossessing Moreove he was
poor, and not able, in consequence, TO
make very good appearance.
We would not like TO say that, in Sc
lecting Doctor Grimes as the subject Of
| his best joke for the first Of April, Bun
| ting acted on the principle of certain
| worthy, who said of another
"Kick him; he's no friends!'
| But we rather incline to the opinion,
that some such feeling was in the heart
/ Of the joker.
The first Of April came. Doctor
Grimes after eating his breakfast, sat
down in his Office TO await expected
morning calls for consolation, or to re-
quest his attendance on some suffering
invalid. But no such calls were made.
The doctor sighed. under the pressure Of
disappointment, as he glanced at the
time-piece on the man,el, the hands oi
which pointed to the figure ten.
"A poor prospect here" he murmured,
despondingly. "Ah, if there were none
in the world to care for but myself,
would be content on bread and water,
while making my way in the confidence
Of the people. But others are suffering
while wait for practice. What hinders
my progressl ! understand my profess
sion. In not single instance yet, have
| failed to give relief when called to the
bed of sickness. Alb, me! | feel wretch
ed"
Just then the letter carrier of the viii
lage came in and handed him two letters.
The first one opened was from dearly
loved, widowed sister. who wrote IN
know if he could possibly assist her in
her poverty and distress,
II would not trouble you, my dear.
kind broiher," she wrote. s'knowing, as
do, how poor your own prospects are.
and how patiently you are trying to wal,
for practice, did not want press on me
and my babes 50 closely. IL you can
spare me li.tle-ever SO litsle-brother
j. will come as blessing, for my ex-
tremity is great. Necessity often
prompts to acts, from the thought ol
which, in brighter moments, we turn
/ with n feeling If main.