Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-02-02
From the New Orleans Picayune I
MAKING TOO PRE-.


We will call no names II we tell the sio-
ry as il was told 10 Us, We fancy there are many
who, among the shrewd guesses that will no
doub, be hazarded on iha, point, viii hit upon
The right one. We can only say our tale is
founded on fact, and the hero well and hvora-
bly, known in these parts. lie is noted f1r his
love Of practical jokes, when he is one Of the
jokers, but has no special respect for that style
Of wit, he being one Of the jokoes. We will
call him, for the purposes Of this present mar
raiiye, lIarrowby.
He was in the habit Of visiting. at all hours
aud at all lines, and in the freesi, easiest, and
mosi social manner, the house Of friend, sit
uated in one Of the pleasant streets that run
parallel with ST. Charos-sirect. where there
was always plate for him at table, glass FOR
him on the sile-board, and hand for him at a
round gane Of cards ip tho arenins Ha 1as
with their guests. fle was never anywhere
more perfectly at home than at his friend Trol-
ter's He went in and out, without ringing
bell or lifting kuoeker. He was, one may
say, free Of the house, and used his freedom
literally.
lIarrowby was very fond of field SPORTS
He loved nolhing better than bis Joe Manion,
unless, perhaps, very valuable rod and reel.
By which he set especial store. II IS related
of him that, upon one occasion, when the house
in which he lodged was on fire, he was seen
making his escape by window, grasping that
rod with ienaciiy that indicated determina-
tion TO share its fate, be il what it might. lie
was an enthusiastic devo,ee to the piscaiory ari,
this excellent liarrowby.
When ''tbc heated term Of the last sum
mer was about setting in, our friend, having
some idle time on his hands, determined upon
making a somewhat extended fishing excursion;
and shaking the dusi of The city from his feet,
be,ook him 10 wellknown and off frequenied
haunt, where, with some few chnsen compan-
ions all disciples Of " the gentle art, " as
Isaak Walton called angling, he passed mauy
a week in the enjoyment Of that pleasant sport,
Having occasion, somewhere about niidsum-
mer, to visit the city on business, and propos-
ing TO pass but day or two, and then 20 re-
turn TO his sporting friends, the first lhing that
occurred TO him on his arrival in town, as prop
er to be done, was TO call on his friends, the
Trouers. So, just after nighliall, he directed
his course towards their lmspilable mansion.-
Ii was a warm evening the front door and
windows were open, and the blinds bowed,
so that the visitor could look in, and could
hear the sound of many merry voice., and
other indications Of there being pleasant tea
drinking going forward. narrowly Instantly
conceived the captivating idea Of taking his
friends and their visitors by surprise. 1t would
be such rare fun And, like the young Loch-
inyar, with a diiierence,)
" Boldly he entered the Netherby Hail.
On crossing the threshold, he overlook gen
tleman, who had preceded him by minute or
SO, aud was in the act of hanging up his bat
Preoecnpied entirely with his grand idea, liar
rowby slapped this gentleman lamilarly on the
back with "lIow are ye, Bage Old fellow
howve you ben! What's going on here l''
Aud then without waiting for reply, he cast
rapid glance through the parlor door, ovel
the company assembled, and was somewhat
piqued that none of them seemed 10 recognise
his presence.
Another brilliant idea struck him on the in
siant "Such a good I'M" Seeing on The
rack, in the hall, goodly assortment Of hats
of every size and pattern, what capital joke
il would be to carry of some of them, and lher
enjoy the fellows embarrassment, when, the
party being over, they should find themselves
obliged to go home bareheaded. The though
was no sooner conceived than il was put into
execution. And seizing some half-dozen cha
peaux, forth marched Harrowby into the street
chuckling hugely over his merry device.
Suddenly, and before he had got ten steps
from his friend Troiters door, there was hearC
smart double rap of watchman's club upor
the pavement, and our facelous joker founS
himself surrounded by some three or four OF lh'
guardians of the night, who wanted to know
"whai he was going to do with all them hatsl'
"oh, nothing !" said Ilauowby, famiiarll
nudging one of them, as iftO bespeak his sym
pathy in the fun of the thing, "nolhing !" Ii
only joke, you see !"
4 "Can't come it, old feller," said the inexora