The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-03-30
Tricks upon Travellers.
A SKETCH.


fortune in the 5rietest possible space, his
daughter Betscy declared herself perfectly
wretched, compelled as she was to part from
Simon Homespuu, smart young farmer Of
the neighborhood, who had set in the next
pew to her at meeting. and had set up with
her on Sunday nights" The lovers, however,
were consoled by the reflection that they we're
engaged. and that few short months would
see them united in the holy bonds Of matri-
monY.
Miss Betsey came to Boston. then, With her
papa-he was uidower-and bore "a change
came DER the spirit Of her dream" Her head
was fairly turned By the gayeties, frivoIities
and batteries Of the city. If she did not abb
solutely forget poor Simon, she compared him
very unfavorably with the fashionable young
men who promenaded in Washington street,
or stood behind the counters of the elegant
nadgazins de nouUcautes that line that eel.
ebrated thoroughfare. Simon had anticipated
something Of this kind, and to render himself
more acceptable in the beaur yeauz Of bis
mistress, had taken lessons in dancing and
French, learned to play on the guitar, and
polished himself up to degree almost incred-
ibe in a country gentleman, with the idea Of
surprising his lady. love when he came up to
town to claim her hand.
Meanwhile three terribly killing young men
were paying assiduous court to Miss Simpkins
or her fortune, and seeking completely to es-
TRANCE her heart from the legitimate object Of
its love. They were Mr.. Capias, young
briefess lawyer, Mr.. Jalap, a young physician
without practice. and Mr.. Tapeworm, young
shopkeeper without custom When the time
arrived for Simon's visit 10 town, this amiable
trio agreed to unite In driving him of the field
and then quarrel for the possession Of heiress
among themselves afterwards They had a
fair chance, for on the day Of HOmespun's ar
rival. Mr. Simpkins was suddenly called away,
leaving the house in charge Of bis daughter
and an old housc-kecper.
Simon arrived, and was, to his chagrin, re-
ceived very coolly by his dear Betsey, whose
head was still disorderd by her new-fangled
city notions The three conspirasors did not
give him much time for expostuation or ex-
phnation one Of them in pursuance Of pre-
concerted plan for doing him brown" drop
ping in accidentally soon after his arrival
1t was Mr.. Capias the lawyer
After being introduced, few trivial re.
marks were made, and then Capias said
Yon come to the city at a very bad time,
Mr.. Homespun."
Want to know :" exclaimed Simon. adopt
ing true Yankee twang.
Shocking mortality here. Cholera kill
ling people by hundreds, daily-almost fatal
to persons from the country"
Why, Bets, you didn't tell me, beout this.
Twant fair in ye. BlOwed if I'd come if I'D
knowd it-weddin' or no weddin'"
mot for my sake, DIR. Homespun ?" said
Betsey.
"YeOur sake! get out. what gOOd'll it do
you to plant me 10 berrin' ground here
abouts ?"
Excuse me for the suggestion" said Mr..
Capias, seriously" but you don't look we'll,
my dear sir | should say, to look at you.
you were suffering from the premonitOry
symptoms"
"Wall du feel kind of streaked, Squire.
certainly
Mr. Tapeworm now dropped in.
GOOD heavens" he exclaimed, whats
the matter with this gentleman? he looks
dreadfulIy H. Cholera, sir ?"
Feared hev," said Simon. 30. lord
| wish I'd staid at home. | wish he'd Doc
tor, now"
DIR. Jalap entered.
20 Doctor. you're In the nick Of timei said
Capias" Here's Mr.. Homespun young
man from the country, taken i'll with the
cholera"
Everybody has got cholera" said the
Doctor. let me see your tongue, sir; 'Um
very bad. Your wrist, if you plcase--pulse
low. We must get you out Of town as soon
as possible"
am a goin," gentleman as fast as l can
shrieked Simon. II am sick. o Betsey
I'm horrid wretch. o gentlemen | shall
never forgive myself A fortnight ago.
"Well," said Mr.. Capias.
"WclI," said Mr.. Tapeworm.
"Well," said the Doctor.
"a fortnight go-0l these agonizing
pains that's eatin' up my gizzard." !" cried
Simon, "Well as | was saying, gentlemen--
q fortnight ago I was bitten bg mad dog -
" A mad dogm shouted the whole company.
1eSs Sdiu DiulOH nOWllhE llhc idfAhB
distracted bull.terrier. "And though caut
cat nothin', nor drink nothin', want to bite
every body I see."
Murder !" shouted Capias.
Squire y shriebed Simon getting between
the conspirators and the door" jest hand me
your arm, and let me hev one little nibble-it
viii be refreshin'"
/" Get OUT" cried Capias.
doctor one bite . jest one bite Y rcarcd
Simon piteously. se
The Doctor. dived under the dining table.
"Cuss your picturs. / must have somebody
to gnaw :" said Simon. eaa
Tapeworm crawlee under the piano.
Simon fell upon all fours. and barking yelp-
ing and gnasbing bis teeth. sprang at the ter
rifed guests, swapping at their legs and arms
with terrible ferocity. At last seeing their
way clear to the door. they fed, and fairly
shouting with terror, stumbled down the spi-
raj staircase heels over head. and made good
their escape. {. ......r .....-...-.... 81 ~
Simon sprang to his feet laughing.
'Dfy dear Bctsey." said be, assuming bis
! 4 1 ..mwo~ n<s4fI x~0.. x.ngxlont