Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-03-29
From the Grccnbrior Era.
VuO,LLPAY TIE BILL!
BY AI.ECK.

Some years ago, GreSluent NJ, OF one
of the Northern Colleges, took occasion,
during q vacation, to make a tour through
the country. At little village in New
Jersey, he encountered party of young
students from Il neighboring College, who
were also spending a vacation in travel
ny. 1t happened that the students were
rather short Of funds, and us they were
some distance from home, and owed the
landlord for several days board, they were
rather anxious to know how they should
" raise the wind" They were unknown
to the President and he to them. and it
occurred to one of them that the old man
might be made TO pay the bill. His plan
was made known to the others, and the
next morning appointed for its success or
failure.
On the morning after the Presidents S
! arrival, he was somewhat surprised by a
visit from one Of the party, who, after a
short conversation, informed him of the
stale Of their finances. and proposed that
they should play a very familiar game, call
ed " Follow my Leader" and that the de-
feated party should pay the bill. Presi-
dent M-rcadily consented, for, old rs he
was, he loved Joke, and he resolve that
the young rascaIs should pay for their
impudcnce.
As some Of our readers may not under
stand the game Of " Follow my Leader, "
we will explain it. One is selected as
leader, and all the players are expected
to follow his movements exactly, and a
failure to do this is considered a loss OF
! the game.
One OF the young men WAS selected
as leader, who begun all sorts of move
ments-backwardS forwards, jumping
over chairs, lcaping over fences, climbing
over the barn and every thing else he
/ thought would be "too hard' for the
, President but his efforts were vain, for
the old gentleman was "spry as cat, .
and following suit much to the Gisap-
poinLmGnt, and vexation of the " b'hoys,'
and TO his own satisfaction.
At length. wcaried out, the leader gave
up in despair, and it came to the Presi-
ent's turn to " try his hand" The same
movements. with slight variations, were
gone through with, followed closely by
the leader, who succeeded as admirably
in copying as the old gentleman. Al
length sudden thought appeared to
strike the presidents mind. and he abrubt-
Iy started for the bar room, followed by
his victims, wondering what would come
next. Entering, he asked the landlord
If there WAS Il physician in the town.
Being answered in the affirmative, he re-
, quested that he might be sent for. The
two parties then seated themselves to
await the arrival of the disciple of Gnlen
the College larks full of wonderment,
and the President apparently much de-
lighted.
! Atlength the doctor arrived, and wished
to know the Presidents commands.
Have you your instruments for draw
ing teeth with you. Doctor ?" asked the
old man with mperturbable gravity
while the boys looked blue at each other.
| have them in my case, sir" was
the reply ; and the Doctor drew forth a
ugh-lOoking instrument, and hOurished
it with considerable pride.
Well, Doctor. 1 wish you to pull
eVery tooth in my head" continued the
President, as he opened his mouth for cX-
animation. The students looked at each
other as much as to say, "the game is
up"
II believe there is but one, SIR" re-
piled Esculapius, after examining mo-
ment.
"I know it. am an old man, and
have but one left, but l am willing to let
that go for the benefit Of my young friends
here. Draw it out, Doctor, and then
these young gentlemen will have all theirs
drawn !'
1t is hardly necessary to add, that the
youngsters paid the bill, after getting mo-
ney from home, and, we understand, have
never since attempted to joke with old
meu.