Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1851-04-12
Turning tgse Tables en- a
Practical Joker.
The Minnesota Pionear relates the

Every DOuy knows NJ, clerk OF
the DIR. Franklin Eo. 8; and one of
tue Severest practical jokersthat ever
ran upon the river or that ever ran
saws upon a greenhorn. The past
season, as one of his Instruments of
wsggery, he took along couple of
reeds, (indian futeS,) one of which
was charged with -four, so that
when the flute was blown, a perfect
cloud of flour was discharged into
the face and eyes the person blow
ing it. Whenever M found any
passenger, priest or layman, it was
allthe same to him, who manifested
an interest in these Indian curiosities,
he would produce the two flutes, and
retaining the one that was not load
ed with flour, would hand over the
other to the verdant enquirer; and
would then commence playing that
plaintive, monotonous Dacota tune,
with q variation of two notes, which
is so familiar to the ears ofevery re-
sldent of ST. Paul. Thus decoyed,
the possessor of the other flute was
certain to follow Ms. example, and
at the very first toOt, to blow cloud
QttaOalY into his own face, from the
barrel of the flute, which is played
like a clarionet; and hus produce on
the crow d around, al, ,outburst of mer
rlment at his own expense.
Onthe last trip ofthe Franklin, but
"a few weeks since, M had his In
dian flutes along, as usual; and one
OF the passengers, who was up 10
snuff, determined to turn the laugh
for once upon the old wag himself;
so he took Ms. decoy flute away to
the cook room, and charged it well
with finely pulverized charcoal, and
returned it, without Ms. knowledge,
20 It's place in the office, with the 9th
verflute, and after dinner said in Ms.
hearing, that 1T would be pleasant to
have some music.'
Certainly says M; did you ev-
er seethe flutes that the Sioux bands
up the river play upon2'
MOI replied the stranger, I never
did. Do tell me if they have futesl'
This was enough for M. His
face, luminous as the sun behind a
crimson cloud, was radiant with an
ticipated fun, as he brought out the
two flutes, and handed to the enuul
rer the one loaded with flour.
Awhole crowd the most of whom
understood the flour trick, several oI
them having been victimized, gather
cd around 10 see the sport.
La, mel said the enquirer, q
should not-why ! haven't the least
tidea--why how do you Crying tc
finger the holes) blow the darned
thing, any way2'
oh, simple, very simple replied
A-; this instrument is used by the
Indian lover, in erenading his duskJ
sweethears. All he attempts is q
plaintiye, melancholy, pathetic air, tc
touch the beast Of his mistress. I'll;
notes are very simple. (Here he
went inso a lengthy disquisition OF
Indian music, customs and habits.
The air: ::s simply simply ::his:' {h!ows am
fill his own face with powdered char
coals theswhole crowd laughing anc
roaring, and fairly tumuling down
with excessive mirth.)
8M--~ stood for moment begrimeC
as an Ethiopian, then dropping lh
flute uponthe floor, exclaimed
tCaugbt in my own trap, by
After that, they had plenty ofmu
sic on the Franklin; for that M will
have; but no more Indian futesl
Good morning, Ruben
'Morning Squire, fine day for tn
cropsP str
Yes. but what is the matter wit
your face, Ruben? You have had
fight ] fancy
why yes, Squire. Me and Jir
Hockins, we had an old grudge, an
last night we fit tout
.And which whipped, Rubenp
Well, Squire, we fit considerable
yes, yes, l know, but which whip
pedl'
Well, Squire, we fit considerable
and
Ruben, ] suspect that you rani'
'Runl I'd rather die
Wen, how did it result then7'
well, Squire, Jim he fit strong
and / was down; good mornin' ther
is that COW ag'in.'
We'll, wha: the deuce did yo
do,syou unexpIaining, Joseph Goa
faced individuals what did you dol'
well, ! didn't run, Squire sal
Neub sulkily- i jest kind of weI
awayi'