The Georgetown news., 1856-01-10
Making Too Free.

are many VINO, among Inc SnreWd gueSSeS
that will no doubt be hazarded on that
point, will hit upon the right one. We can
only say our tale is founded on fact, and the
hero well and favorably known in these
parts. He is noted for 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 jokes. We will call him,
for the purposes of this present narrative,
Harrowby.
He was in the habit of visiting, at all
hours and at all times, and in the freest, ca
siest, and most social manner, the house of
friend, situated i'll one of the pleasant
streets that run parallel with St. Charles
street, where there was always a plate for
him at table, glass for him on the side
board, and hand for him at a round game
of cards, in the evening. He was great
favorite with his host and hostess, and with
their guests. He was never anywhere more
perfectly at home than at his friend Trot-
ter's. He went in and out, without ring
ing bell, or lifting knocker. He was,
as one may say, free Of the house, and used
his freedom literally.
HarroWby was very fond of field sports.
He loved nothing better than his Joe Man
ton, unless, perhaps, a very valuable rod
and reel, by which he set especial store. 1t
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 q
window, grasping that rod with tenacity
that indicated a determination TO share its
fate, be it what it might. He was an en-
thusiastic deyotee to the piscatory art, this
excellent Harrowby.
When "the heated term of the last sum-
mer was about setting in, our friend, hav-
ing some idle time on his hands, determined
upon making a somewhat extended fishing
excursion; and shaking the dust of the city
from his feet, betook him to a well-known
and oft frequented haunt, where, with some
few chosen companions, all disciples of "the
gentle art" as Izaak Walton called an
Cling, he passed many week in the enjoy
ment Of that pleasant sport.
Having OCCASION somewhere about mid
summer, to visit the city on business, and
proposing to pass but a day or two, and
then to return to his sporting friends, the
first thing that occurred to him on his arri-
val in town, as proper to be done, was to
call on his friends, the Trotters. So, Just
after nightfall, he directed his course to-
wards their hospitabe mansion. 1t 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 voices, and other
indications Of there being pleasant tea
drinking going forward. Harrowby instant
ly conceived the captivating idea Of taking
his friends and their visitors by surprise
It would be such rare fun And like the
young Lochinyar, with a diference,)
Boldly he entered the Netherby Hall"
On crossing the threshold, he overlook a
gentleman, who had preceded him by a
minute or so, and was in the act Of hanging
up his hat. Pre-occupied entirely with his
grand idea, Harrowby slapped this gentle
man Familiarity on the back with "HOw
are ye, Bage! Old fellow! how're you ben?
What's going on here?" And then, with
out waiting for reply, he cast rapid
glance through the parlor door, over the
company assembled, and was somewhat
piQued that none Of them seemed to recog-
Mise his presence.
Another brilliant idea struck him on the
instant. "Such good 'unw Seeing On
the rack, in the hall, goodly assortment
Of hats, Of every size and pattern, what q
capital joke it would be to carry off some
Of them, and then enjoy the fellows embar-
rasSment, when, the party being over, they
should find themselves obliged to go home
bareheaded. The thought was no sooner
conceived than it was put into execution
And seizing some half-dozen chapeaux, forth
marched Harrowby into the street, chuck
ling hugely over his merry device.
Suddenly, and before he had got ten steps
from his friend TrOtters door. there was
heard a smart double rap of a watchman'
club upon the pavement, and our facetiouS
Joker found himself surrounded by some
three or four Of the guardians of the night
who wanted 20 know what he was going
to do with all them hats?"
"Oh, nothing." said Harrowby, Familiarity
nudging one Of them, as if to bespeak his
sympathy in the fun Of the thing, nothing!
It's only joke, you see!''
Cant come it. old feller, said the mex
orabe official. "Were up to that dodge,
you know. Been tried on before, and dld
not suit nary time once! Better own up!
Where are you going with them hats
1t began to look as if the joke was get
ting to be little serious; for hints Of the
stafion-house were heard among the muir
INJURED conferences of the suspicious officers
"Oh. stuff and nonsense impatlently ex-
claimed Harrowby. Don't you see you
fools! that | am only playing trick on
Trotter and his friends-my friends-who
are in there? know all Of them, and they
know me. It's only a practical joke. You
know 1'rotter?"
"Of course" says the watchman, "every
body knows Trotter, and that is certainly
his house. But that's no reason you should
steal all the hats out of his front entry
You'd better come alongp'
By this time some of the party bidding