Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-03-15
The Wrong Man.

the Oldest inhabitants of country village
in the southern part of this state, who will
remember the following rather humorous
story. Some twenty years ago among the
residents of the village alluded to, were
two men who resembled each other in their
general appearance, each weighing about
| two hundred, and both of them as capable
| ofenjoying good joke as such portly gen.
tlemen generally are. But while it was
the business Of one TO preach against the
sin Of indulging in the propensity of strip
ping the light fantastic toe," the other was
celebrated for his skill in furnishing the
necessary music on occasions when that
particular sin--so considered by some
was 10 be enacted. s-s e.,i@lH ..4g 5=5
While the Dominic was one day leisure
lyl walking along the streets, a couple Of
darkies approached him; one Of them re-
marked to the other. ess s .ss.a
That's him now! / know, for I've seen
him ofien.' i.a .=z..=1s as
-ts'WelL speak to him, then,' said the
other. zafz y n fa
esNo, Feta, you speak TO him. 81
Noticing that they wished to hold some
intercourse with him, the Dominic turned
round, and said: s
sDid you wish 10 speak with meH'
Yes, sare; we wanted to know if you
be particularly engaged next Monday eve
ning?' ,.s..5....sg,....,,.
No, believe not,' replied Mr.. n, the
idea of wedding fee Immediately present
ing itself, and which was not to be slighted
ON account Of the colored parties,
we want you if you are 'customed TO
afficiate for colored pussuns who are will.
ing 10 pay, to come next Monday evening
to de red house next 10 de toll gate -
sOh, yes; it is not my practice to refuse
any one on such occasions. What hour
do you wish me 10 come?'
early candle light, Massa, if you please,
we've not had anything Of dat kind in
good WHILE .'.si
Very well; I'll be there,' replied the
Donnie, as he turned on his heel, thinking
the remark that they had had nothing of
that kind in good while meant that no
wedding had trnnspired among them in
long time.
True to his appointment, Dominic N.
was at the house designated, in time. The
door opened into the principal room Of the
house, around which sat some thirty OF
Africa's sable children, dressed in their
very best. ~.
{ According to the instructions they had
received from one of their number, they
all rose at his entrance. He took profs
cred seat which was behind a little desk al
one end fthe room, for moment, then
remarked that If the parties were ready
they had better take their places.
In moment oil was confusion-while
some removed their chairs from the room,
eight couple formed as if for q quadrille.
The Dominic stared about in utter amaze>
ment, when he, who had been spokesman
in engaging him at the village few days
before, coming up to him, grinning from
ear to ear, said: s..lzz 4. ..5.a
sMista Fuse, habbent you brought your
fiddle wild you2 Wehabbent got one here9'
s Fuse! fiddle! what do you meanl' ex-
claimed the Dominic, the whole affair be-
ginning to dawn on his mind; SIS this not TO
be a wedding2
sOh, no, Mnssa Fuse, we should had de
Dominic here fust if we had a wedding.
Mr.. N. saw at a glance that he was
fairly sold, and with simply giving the fell
low his name and occupation, which had
nearly the same effect on the party as if
bomb shell had fallen among them, he
rushed from the house. 49,
But the joke was too good one to re-
MAMA secret, !and the Dominic had to tell
it among some of his fun loving congrega-
ton, who will laugh until this day about
their minister going to fiddle at negro
ball.