The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-10-20
DOES JOHN MUTT LIVE HERE.

l. nc lVHowIuB oiuushS btOIy VI y Ceio'
brated practical joker Of Boston. Munho
Mackay, is told in the N. Y. Dutchman:
One cold, raw November night in the
year l8--. the wind blew as though it
would blow down old Fanueil Hall, and
the rain fell in such torrents that Bunker
Hill was nearly washed away. The sky
was as black as "all round my hat!'' aud
the air was compounded Of that delightful
mixture. in which there is enough Of the lat
ter to open the pores, while the former
goes directly to the heart. In the midst
Of this rumbling of the elements, a tall fig
ure might be seen winding stealthily along
through narrow streets and lonely alleys.
shod with pair Of fisherman's boots. and
enveloped in huge peajacket, for indeed
rubbers and Mackintoshes were unknown
in those days, until it halted under The win.
dow Of lonely cottage, at some distance
from the town, and the family having been
sometime in bed, knocked violently at the
door. At first his rude summons was un-
answered: but afer. repeated thumps, a
bed room window was thrown up, and a
voice demanded: '53 '.f-''a
WHO'S there?'' y
spray, SIR" said Mackay, for it was he.
twill you be kind enough to tell me il a
psrsonsnamed Mutt lives in this neighbor.
|hood3, H
be sure he does" replied the voice
lfof(} the window; she lives here"
ssI 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 important that can
concern me at this hour Of the night; but
whatever it is. lei US hearit. l am the per.
son you want" sa
"Speak little louder, if you please -
said NJ, 81 am somewhat deaf, and the
spout makes such noise. Did you say
your name was Nutt?Y
Certainly did; and wish you would
make haste TO communicate whatever you
have TO say, for have nothing on but my
shirt and nighicap, and the wind is whist
ling through me, nation cold" ~
"Have you got an uncle in Boston
childless and very old-worth ten thou.
sand dollars?"
At this question long-pointed white
nightcap was thurst out Of the window; and
in an instant, together with the shirt-collar
that followed, it was saturated with rain.
"What did you say about an uncle and
ten thousand dollars! There is my uncle
Wheeler is very rich; but what about
him!" ss,st-fsy ges. q
"Oh! nothing as yet, till am certain
of my man. There may be great many
Nuts about here. tits John Mutt want!"
81 am the mani" said the voice in the
nightcap.--"'rhere is no mistake. There
is not man for twenty miles round with
the name Of Mutt but me; and beside my
christian mama is John; and have an un.
Gle in Boston," "- ~
By this time the whole back and sleeves
Of the shirt were out of the window, the
tassel at the end of the white nightcap
nearly touched the green palings in front
Of the house; and, had there been light
enough 10 have seen, a painter might have
caught an attitude of straining anxiety,
and face, or rather two faces, for by this
time there was female peering over Nuts
shoulder, beaming with the anticipation Of
good fortune to come. i Il.
"Well.' said Mackay, very deliberately,
II suppose l may venture to speak out;
but mind, il there is any mistake, you can
not say il was my fault" ,1a a0a
| from the window.
.You saw your name is John Mutt. do
you?" '2g n iags1 2,'
II do.n
"Well,. then, all ] have to say is, may the
Dsrii crack youi' .s,a.
The two heads were drawn in like light
ming from the rain; and, as the window
was slammed down with violence that be-
l.-f.~ ~o,o ~oJ J:co,u.>;n.roo,,A Lad