Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-10-10
1xsE FATAL Ioix 4.


h'tCk tDssR uuu istttEESlilk uCpiiiC, Tue
question seemed about 10 be decided in
It's favor, when gentlm4n, whose SIM
gular nnd melancholy aid detected air
at once attracted our attention, related
the following story:
In my younger days was remarka-
bic for my fondness of practical joking,
even TO such degree that never allow
ed good opportunity 10 pass unimprov-
ed.
My orphan cousin, Robert, to whom
was warmly attached, was of a different
nature from this. He was sober, sedate
and grateful, almost 10 fault, very
thoughtful and very bashful. This stu.
pidiiy, as called il, was often a check
upon my natural gayetv, aud ii was sci
dom that ! could induce him to join my
hoyish 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 Eng
land could boast OF, have blossomed and
wilhered, and passed away to eternity,
leaving behind them a lasting impress of
their loneliness, now covers his moulder-
ing ashes. Yes, Robert is dead, and !
I'm The cause of this untimely end: the
circumstances of which will serve 10 con-
,ince you of the folly Of practical jok-
ing"
Ii was late one evening, early in Sep
tember, that Robert and myself returned
10 our room TO talk over the exciting
scenes Of the day, for it was The night ai-
ter the election, and inc holiday it had
been 10 us.
bad Just returned home from visit
TO Some friends in the city, and had, of
course, brought with me many curious
things which Robert had never seen or
heard of. Among them was mask, the
use of which explained TO my unso.
Ihisticaled cousin, who laughed and
wondered why the people could wish 10
lock horribly enough 10 wear one.
was in my gayesi mood, just ready
Tor an adventure, and seeing he was dis
posed 10 make fun of my mask, pro-
posed 81 experiment.
sWhat!' exclaimed my cousin, "you
do not intend to wear it 10 bed, do your
Far from it, l replied. cit Is you
should wear the mask, not l. | am
quite arc enough without it,"
"A yery jus. remark, indeed" he OBJ
served grayely.
had never seen him in better humor,
and thought il best TO unfold my plans
nj once. At our next door lived veal
thy gentleman. with whose daughter my
bashful cousin was already smitien. That
very night. as we passed by on our re.
turn from the village, he had called and
babe her good night, and received in re-
turn one Of the sweetest smiles from the
happiesi eyes and most charming lips /
ever beheld. l was his bosom friend,
and 10 me lie always entrusted his Sc
creis. {alas! how little have ! deserved
such cunfdence,) yet he always blushed
when srok OF Julia.
Some ,ilspirit. Iknow not what else
il could Lave been prompted me when
proposed to have little spor. at her
expense. My plans were these: He
was 10 dress himself in suit of clothes
to correspond with the mask, which by
the way. was the most frightlul looking
thing Lever saw, repair to the dwelling
of his friend, and call ner TO the door By
rapping. was TO stand near to witness
The result, and participate in the joke.
He biushed, hung his head, and Of
course refused. had expected this, but
naitered myself that / could easily per-
suade him 70 The contrary. Ii was, how
ever a harder task than had aniicipat-
ell, FOR his unwilingness seemed greater
Than evcr; the reason ] readily under
stood.
Poli'd and p'shawed, and finally
threatened TO expose to all the boys his
cowardly disposition, as | pleased TO
term il, anetender feeling 10 Julia, which
rs We. none oe them had discovered
This last argument proved more success
fuI than the other, for he well knew that
+ neser suffered The idlesi ihreo, to re-
main npful6lled; and the fear Of being
laugh a.. besides betraying that which
he most wished to conceal, conquered.
aud he yielded. though reluctantly, his
consent.
ever exnliedoyer my triumph, though
! have often since wished my lips had
been struck dumb before ! had uttered
those words that sealed the after fate of
Two pure beings.
Blu, ia my ,hough.lessness 1 rushed
needless Of consequences. My wild
reckless spifi. had never been tanned.
When at length all was arranged to
my satisfaction, | placed the horrid mask
over his face. and led him 10 the mirror.
He started back and Involuntary plac-
ed his hand TO his head, as ifto take il
away, bul my interference prevented. He
eyen pleadedihaiahe penalty had threat.
cDed 10 infliciin case he refused to go
nightbe spared HIM. BUTT was mex
orable; was anxious to see the result,
and The delay caused by his unwilling
ness sexcl me.
A renewal Of my threats Of exposure
succeeded in removing all Obstacles. and
we Immediately set about our adventure
Eanlicusly as thieves we crept through
The yard, and eaehof lis took cur sta
finn Rahert m The tleor and at the win.