Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-08-18
a 6umorolls Storm.
MYSTERIOUS RAPPlNGS EXPLAINED.
BY BOB LIVFLY.

on the portico Of a little tavern, In pleas
ant country village in the State of -
'Ha, ha, ha + replied the echo, like the
voice of some taunting demon amid the
tall cliffs that rose dark and silent beneath
the mild summer moonlight
And peal on peal of laughter interrupt
ed the conversation of the group, and iudg-
ing from the merriment of the topic it
must have been ludicrous in the extreme.
So thought a short, fat, broad-faced in
dividual, who, after laughing heartily three
or four times, till his fat sides shook, and
the echoes rang again, ventured to say
well, what sort Of looking man is he p
WELL said the principal spcaker In the
group, who, by his recital of what he had
seen, so highly amused them well, uncle
Zeb, you ought to have been at the concert
in the vestry tonight; it would have ad-
ded ten years to your life to have heard
Dodge sing the Unfortunate Man
'Humph said the old man twas a
fine night for me 30 be perspiring and
sweating in the vestry, with ali the village
to hear a comic singer
But, uncle Zeb, don't you believe it
would have been as profitable as smoking
tobacco and drinking hard cider q
Young man you'll know more when you
get older but who is this fellow that's
been making you all laugh yourselves
hoarse p
why, it's Dodge, Uncle Zeb-Ossian
L. Dodge-the renowned joker singer
'Humph ! said Uncle Zeb, taking a pull
at cider mug that stood by him; Dodge /!
Dodge amt he the fellow they talk so
much of in the papers =
Yes, the very same and one of the
funniest chaps in all creation
'Humph don't tell me (the old man
felt envious, having been the wit and joker
of the village till within year or SOY don't
tell me, I've seen the feller's picture, full
length, in my paper, and he's gaunt as a
gosling'
But, then, uncle Zeb, you ought to see
him, himself; one look at his droll phiz
would make you laugh to kill YOURSELF
Fudge do you think there's any real
fun in such lean fellow as shat 2 No. no
it's the fat round fellows that have the
fun in 'em there uncle Xeb laid his hand
upon his capacious waistcoat y it's ali gam
mon with your lean, lank, hungry fellows
like this Dodge
But said the other, this Dodge is one
Of the greatest and most original practical
iokers about, and his jokes are the drollest
things | ever read about.
Practical jokes well, | wish the fcller
would try oneon me I'd like nothing bet
ter than to show him up said uncle Zob,
giving his pipe an indignant puff Be
Sides continued he. L consider him one
of the greatest humbugs of the day
o. you are too hard on the poor fellow,
said another young farmer, you are too
hard, why the vestry was crowded all the
village was there. and l saw Parson Brown
himself laugh till the tears ran down his
cheeks
If he is one Of the humbugs Of the day,
uncle Zeb, why l suppose the Rochester
Knockings are another, said second with
a wink to his companions.
Well, well, boys; you may poke fun at
me for paying dollar to hear those knock
ngs. when | was in New York, said tie
old man, but | tell you that there is sOne'
thing more than humbug in them.
Why you do not believe in it do you 2
said one Of the young men III astouish-
ment.
Believe in it g said the old man why
didn't l converse and talk with my Betsy,
who has been dead these two years by
means of knocks @
We'll, | thought she talked enough
when living, and threw in the knocks too
said a young man.
This sally produced a roar of laughter
(aunt Betsy having been desperate scold
when living)
We'll, you may laugh boys, but the last
thing they told me afore [ come away was
that [ should have another conversation
with her, here IN this village. on some time,
bv means of these same knocks
This announcement produced low whls-
lie Of astonishment from one Of the uube-
levers in the group The old man. how
ever, pufed away at his pipe, and as the
smoke rolled forth upon the clear summer
air, he raised his eyes to the bright moon,
and muttcred again
'Humph Dodge I wish he'd try one
Of his Jokes on me-
I All the time this conversation had been
going on. an individual who sat but little
distance of. leaning his chair back against
one of the pillars Of the portico, bat turn
cd away from the group Of villagers, had
I been a quiet but attentive listener, while
: be sat enjoying the cool night breeze and
the beautiful moonlight scene before him.
+ He now arose and passed into the bar
room of the house. The group were 50
Iqusv il. conversation that they scarcely
noticed his presence, and even his move
ment did not excite their attention. But
/ this quiet individual was no moro nor less
than the redoubtable Dodge himself aud
could the twinkle Of his eye and the fun
that lurked around the corners Of his mouth
have been seen, itwould have satisfied the
cazer that the spirit of mischief was arous
ed While lighting his candle he enquir
ed Of the landlord who the individual des
irnated uncle Zeb' was.
why replied the landlord. you remem
Der him we'll; old Zeb Hanson, who used
to live down at the foot of Sugar Hill
What said Dodge, he that married
Betsy Hopper g
The very same exclaimed the land
L 3