Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-11-18
gatt NM 3aneg.
Does John Mutt Live Heres

One cold, raw November night,
in the year 1928, the wind blew as
il it would blow down old FaReuil
Hall, and the rain fell in such tor
rents that Bunker Hill. was nearly
washed away. The sky was as llack
as all around my hat!' and the air
was compound ed Of that delightful
mixture Of frost and moisture, IN
which shere is enough Of the latter
to open the pores, while the former
goes directly to the heart. III the
midst Of the rumbling of the ele-
ments, a tail figure might be seen
winding stealthily along through
narrow streets and lonely alleys,
shod with pair Of fsherman's boots,
and developed in a huge pea-jacket,
for indeed rubbers and mackintoshes
were unknown in those days, I'M
til it. halted under the window of a
lonely cottage at some distance FROM
the town, and the family having been
sometime in bed, knocked violently
at the door. at first his rudeAs um-
mons was unanswered; but after re-
peated thumps, a bedroom window
was thrown up, and a voice delndnd-
ed who was there. III
Pray, Sir said Mackay, will you
be kind enough to tell il pen son
by the name of Mutt lives III this
neighborhood?'
To be sure he does replied the
voice from the wi ndow; he livesh4re.
j am glad of that said M, for
the night is very stormy, and / have
something of great Importance to
communicate to him.
of great Importance, did YOU say?
I know of nothing very in 99ort ant
shat can concern me at this liour OF
night; but whatever it is, let me
hear it am tie person you want.
Speak a little louder, if you
please, said NJ, i am q little deaf
and the spout Il flkes such a noise.
Did you say yo4r maine was Mutt?
Certainly | did; and wish YOU
would make haste to communicate
whatever you have to say, for |
have nothing on bat my shirt and
nightcap, and tie wind is whistliag
through ne natl pn cold
IIaye You got an uncle in Boston
-childless and very old worth ten
thousand dollarsf'
At this question a long-pointed
white nightcap Was thrust ont Of the
window, and in an instant, with the
shirt-collar that followed, was satu-
rated with rain.
what did yon say about al un-
Gle and ten thous and dollars2 There
lis my uncle Wheeler, very old, and
very rich; but W hat Of him?
oh, nothing is yet, till l am Ger
tain Of my man. There may be a
great many Nuts about here. It
lis John. Mutt That I want
Il am the mai. said the voice in
the nightcap. There is no mistake
here. There is n ot a man for twenty
mil s round with the name qf Mutt
but me; and besides my christian
name is John, and have an uncle
in Boston,
BY this time the whole back and
sleeves of the shirt we're ont Of the
win dow, the tassals at the end bf the
whit mghtcap nearly touching the
green palings in front Of the house,
and. had there been light enough to
hay seem a painter 4night have
caught aa attitude of straining anx-
ety, and 4 face, 9r rather two faces,
Tor by this TING there was a female
peeIing over Nuts shoulder, beam
ing with The anticipation of a good
fortune toNc6me.
We'll said Mackay, very dGlibe-
rately, 4 SUPPOSED may venture to
speak OUT but mind, if there is any
yod cannot say it was my
fault
No, certainly not cried two vol
ces from the window.
'You say your name is John Mutt
do you?' IL
'Ido.'
sWen, then, all that have ID say
isrstqy M4 DeuJI0,qct you.' Il
The two heads were drawnin like
from the rain; and, as the
window was slammed down with 4
yiole nee that bespoke rage ard dis
a loud horse laug h arose
on the wind, and the lover of prac- !
teal Jokes turned on his heel to
trudge homeward through the mist, |