Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-04-26
THE APRIL FOOL.
By KATE SUTHERLAND

practical Joke; and the greater the annoyance they
can occasion, the greater their delight vi this
class was Mr. Thomas Bunting, who resided IN a
little village a few miles out OF New ork. Bun
ting kept store for the sale of almost every ar
ticle known in domestic or agricultural life, from
a number ten needle, up to a hoe harrow; and
from mint stick up to bag of coffee. Conse-
ouentlv, he was pretty well acquainted with all
the towns people, who were pretty well acqualnt-
ed with him.
AS Bunting was constantly playing off his pranks
upon one and another, he only kept himself tree
Of enemies by his good temper, and ability to
sooth the parties he sometimes irrtated beyond
endurance.
The LIST. of April was never permitted to come
and go without being well improved by joke loving
Thomas. fla customer sent for a pint OF brandy
on that day he would be very apt to get tour gils
of vinegar; riff for pound OF sugar, half pound
Orleans mixed with equal weight OF river sand
That was smart child who could come into his
store on the occasion and leave 1T without beng
the victim of some trick. So from morning TIL
night of the 1st day of April, the face of Thorn
as Bunting was one broad smile. Full of inven-
ton, as to ways and means of playing tricks upon
Others our merry friend exceedingly wide
awake to any efforts at retaliation and it general
" happened that most of those who soght to
catch him got the laugh turned on themselves.
Two years ago, as the LIST, of April approached,
Bunting began to think of che sport awaiting him
and to cast his eyes over the town to see who was
the most fitting subject for good jest.
Il must make fool of somebody" said he to
himself: ga first rate fool. l am tired of mere
child's play in this business. Who shall it be =
There's Dr.. 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 to suspect my agency
| guess that mont do. Grimes is good subject,
w. n of ito
use him somehow The widow Gray would be
first rate but I'm little afraid to bring her in
The doctor is as poor as Jobs turkey, and would
be off to visit her in run. Let me see. hat
shall | do? I've got it? I'll send him to York
on fools errand -
And Bunting snapped his finger and thumb in
childish delight.
Dr. Grimes, to whom our joker referred, had
been in the village only about a year and in that
time, had succeeded in making but small prac-
tice. Not that he was wanting in ability but he
lacked address In person he was rather AWKWARD
and in manners, far from prepossessing. More
over, he was poor, and not able, in consequence
to make very good appearance.
We would not like to say that, in selecting DR..
Grimes as the subject of his best joke for the lst
of April, Bunting acted on the principle of GER
tain 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.
First of April came, DR.. Grimes after eating his
breakfast sat down in his office to await expected
morning calls for consultation to request his at
tendance on some suffering invalid. But no such
calls were made. The doctor sighed, under the
pressure of disappointment, as he glanced at the
time peice on the mantle, the hands of which
pointed to the figure ten.
a poor prospect here, he murmered, respon-
dinghy.
All, if there were none in the world to care fol
but myself, l would be content on bread and wa
ter, while making my way in the confidence of the
people. But others suffering vile | wait
ing for practice. What binders my progress
understand my profession. In not single in
stance yet, have l failed to give relief when call
ed to the bed of sickness. All me | fee
WIetched!
Just then the letter-carrier of the village cam
in and handed him two letters. The first one open
ed was from dearly beloved widowed sister VIII
wrote to know if he could possibly assist her i
her poverty and distress.
q would not trouble you my dear, kind broth
en-" she wrote knowing, as do, how poor you
prospects are, and how patiently you trying t
wait for practice, did not want press on me and m
babes so closely. If you can spare me a little
very little-brother, it will come as a blessing fc
my extremity is great Forgive me for thus trout
ling you. Necessity often prompts us to act
from the thought of which in brighter moments
we turn with feeling of pain.
For many minutes after reading this letter, D
Grimes sat with his eyes upon the floor
"My poor Mary!' he said at length ''ho
much you have suffered and yet more drops
bitterness are given to your Cup. Oh, that it W;
in my power to relieve you But my hands al
stricken down with PARALYSIS. What can do ?
Thus far have gone in debt, instead of clearir
my expenses"
He took his pocket-book and searched over al
over again.
Nothing-nothing he murmured as he +
folded it. ''And, what curse is there like the cur
of poverty ?"
He then referred to the other letter, the recei
of which he had almost forgotten. Breaking t
seal, he read with surprise, its contents, viii
follows:
''To Dr. Grimes-Dear Sir:
Please call as early as possible, at Messrs. L.
d BIS, No., Wall street, n. York whe
you will here of something to your advantage .
''What this mean? exclaimed the doctC
as he hurriedly perused the letter again.
Can it be possible that relative of nv fat
er, in England, has died and left US property 90
Yes, 1t must be so. Several members of his fa
lily there in good circumstances Oh if
should be thus, how timely has relief come.
your sake, my dear sister, ssmore than for nv ov
will l be thankful But how am l to 90 to n
York l have not a dollar in my pocket, a
will receive nothing for week to come
The only resource was in borrowing, and to t
the doctor resorted with considerable reluctance
From gentleman who had always shown an
terest IN him he obtained FIVE dollars. In an ht
after the receipt of the letter. he was on his way
the city. The more he pondered the matter