, 1853-01-01
Does John Mutt Live Herbl

I
ted practical joker of Boston, Munho Mac
kay, is told in the New York Dutchman
"One cold, raw November night in the
year IS, the wind blew as though II would
blow down old Fanueil Hall, aud the rain
fell in such torrents that Bunker Hill was
nearly washed away. The sky was as
black as call around my hatp and the air
was compounded of that delightful mixture
Of frost and moisture, in which there is
enough of the latter 10 open the pores, while
the former goes directly to the heart. In
the midst of this rumbling of the elements,
at all figure might be seen winding stealthi-
ly along through narrow streets and lonely
alleys, shod with pair Of Gsherman's boots,
and enveloped in huge peal jacket, for in
deed rubbers and Mackintoshes were un-
known in those days, until it halted under
the window of lonely cottage, at some dis
tance from the town, and, the family hav-
ing been some time in bed, knocked violent
ly at tie door. At first his rude summons
was unanswered but after repeated thumps,
bed room window was thrown up, and a
voice demanded who was there
Pray, sir" said Mackay, for it was he,
"wil you be kind enough TO tell me if
person named Mutt lives in this neighbor-
hood?"
"To be sure he does," replied the voice
from the window " he lives here"
81 am gl5d of that % said NJ, for the
night is very stormy, and have something
Of great importance to communicate to him.
"Of great Importance, did you say l
know of nothing very important that can
concern me at this hour of the night; but
whatever it is, let US hear it. am the per-
son you want"
"Speak little louder, if you please, I"
said NJ, am somewhat deaf, and the
spout makes such a noise. Did you say
your name was Mutt 2" ...,..
Certainly did and wish you would
make haste TO communicate whatever you
have TO say, for have nothing on but my
shirt and night-cap, and the wind is whist
ling through me, nation cold"
Have you got an uncle in Boston
childless and very old-worth ten thousand
dollars %
At this question long pointed white
night-cap was thrust 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 Thre is my uncle
Wheeler is very old, and very rich but
what about him %
"Oh nothing as yet, till am certain
&c ,,axf man Thar ,oaty bo ,,-o,N x,,,,
Nuts about here. It's John Mutt ] want"
am the man l'' said the voice in the
night-cap.-" There is no mistake. There
is not man for twenty miles round with
the name Of Mutt but me and besides, my
christian name 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 night-cap
nearly touched the green pailings in front
of the house and, had there been light
enough to have seen, 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.
Well, " said Mackay, very deliberately,
81 suppose ] may venture 10 speak out /;
but mind, if there is any mistake, you can
not say it was my fault" .ll
"No, certainly not :" cried Two voices
from the window.
You say your name is John Mutt, do
you ?"
al do"
Well, then, all have to say is, may The
DtUa crack you" !"
The Two heads were drawn in like light
ming from the rain; and as the window was
slammed down with violence that bespoke
rage and disappointment, a loud horse
laugh rose upon the wind, and the lover of
practical jokes turned on his heels TO trudge
homeward through the mist, as the good
woman inside was going in search Of the
Undertook to enable her 10 hunt dry chem
ises, shirts and night-caps.
This story was many years afterwards
done into verse, after the manner of Cole
man the Younger, by clever student of
Harvard University but all that remem-
Der Of the poetry, are the two concluding
lines; rr 1. rd rr.,. ,.f..-
And If your name be certainly John Mutt,
al l..