The Shasta courier., 1858-04-10
How a Dry Joker was Jekea.

Walter Savage Landor.
How a Dry Joker was Jekea.
At the name of Gale Meeks, what reminiscent
ces pass before our mental vision Old recol-
Jections come crowding upon us, and we see an
array of the g solid' pass before our minds eye
in the shape of seekers of the mythical Frank
Mclaughlin, the victims of croton oil and jalap,
and for the administration of which no medical
reason existed, and long line of those who
who have been humbugged generally without
any specific species of SELL Gale was the prince
of dry joksrs; he lived moved, and had his be-
ing, through diurnal succession of sells in
deed his life was one great sell, composed of a
conglomeration of the nfinitessimal sells of fifty
years duration. Now Nixby, Nathan Nixby,
was one of Gales truest and staunchest business
acquaintance, though he had never been intro
duced into the domestic circle made glad by the
portly presence of Mrs. Gale who was somewhat
addicted to jealousy. The reason for this lack
of acquaintance was that he lived secluded
life in one of the little villages on Long Island
and Nat Nixby lived in our babel of New York
Well, one day Gale was hard pushed for an OBJ
ject upon which to inflict practical joke, and
in his dilemma selected his friend Nat as his
victim
The manner in which Nat was sold | do not
ShoooC W ueScrlDe, SuIllce III TO say
that, under the play of Gales exuberant fancy
Nat made journey to Albany, and insisted that
lady there had sent an amatory epistle which
he produced The lady became indignant
called in the aid of her husband, who literally
skinned Mr.. Nat Nixby, who thereafter returned
to Gotham with very adult flea in his auricu-
lar apparatus. This event happened in the early
spring time, and beautiful day, about week
after Mats return from Albany, he met Gale at
Sherwood's. The sell was disclosed by Gale,
and a hearty laugh was had over Mats mishap
and at his bruised features in which he Joined:
but those present noticed the fact that he didn't
laugh an inch below his chin in truth, it was
generally believed that Mats mirth was entirely
simulated
snow, old fellow" said Gale, "you don't hold
any malice, do you 2"
Mot Bit" answered Nat, "and in token
Of amity, let us take smile all around Which
thing they did in the usual way.
:" How did you come to town. asked Nat
" drove up in light wagon replied Gale.
"And when will you return homer
eAeout six oclocl tllis --s.....ing.n responded
Gale.
Nat, thereupon pleaded an engagement, and
left; but as soon as he was out of eye-sight of
his joker friend repaired to Gray's stable, in
Warren street. where he hired a fast horse and
light vehicle, and with which he started through
bye-street, for the residence of his friend Gale
on Long Island.
On arriving, he left his horse and wagon at a
public house. and proceeded to the aforesaid
residence, where he enquired of the servant if
Meeks was at home. On being answered, as he
knew he would be, in the negative, he said:
This is unfortunate. / wanted to paw him
some money. If could see Mrs Meeks it would
do as well she could give me a receipt in the
name OF her husbandp
Mrs. NJ. was frugal and Industrious and al
ways attentive to her husbands interest As the
last remark fell from Nat, fine looking matron
called from up stairs, to show the gentleman
into the parlor," whers she followed in few
minutes. Nat bowec and said:
81 desire to see Mrs. Meeks, madam.n
"vcry vel" replied she, a" | am Mrs Meekslr
Pardon me, madam said Nat, with doubt
ing shake of his head; but this is a matter of
some importanee-the payment of money and
you are not the lady Mr.. Meeks introduced me
TO rs his wife, last winter y
Not the lady 2 what = shrieked she " do
you mean to tell me that
81 simply state" said Nat, with an icy iniper-
turbability, "a that Meeks, last winter, in Broad
way, near Leonard street, introduced me to a
lady whom he called Mrs. Meeks, and you are
not the lady
Indeedr p exclaimed Mrs. Meeks, her eyes
Well, about twenty-five
twenty-five and how was she dressed ?r
She wore her hair in ringlets had diamond
ear-rings-"
"Diamond ear-ringsr
A.heavy silk velvet dress, very large gold
bracelets, "A magnificent watch and chainn
"Well. go'or," she said spitefuly.
Silk velvet hat trimmed with ma sagnifccnt
lace, and a muff and boan
Boa y wrenched out the now thoroughly
irate dame yond better bore your way out of
this house, sir, mighty quick, or else somebody
will have headache No. sir | am not Mrs
Meeks and want you to leaven
oh, certainly said Nat, who saw the tall
est kind of squall brewing, and who had good
reason to fear that the sturdy dame might launch
at his head conchsheil, or some other of the
Heavy ornaments which adorned the mantle
Nat, therefore boat a retreat from the premises.
and placed himself behind stone fence from
which he could command view of the Brook
Ign turnpike. He did not wait long before he
saw the amiable Gale driving down the road all
unconscious of the ambush of Nat. The express
sion upon Gales face was of the greatest amia-
bility, and exempliied that he was at peace with
"all the world aud the rest of mankind"
Ina brief space of time Gales steed was given
into.the charge ofa stable boy, and unconscious
and happy, he entered his domicil and shut the
door. The moment he entered an attentive ear
might have detected the sound of voice by nc.
means mellow or expressive of endearment
and an instant after Gale hurriedly came through
the door, with amazement on his front and
mop In his rear, the wrong end of which was
under the direct and personal superintendent
OF a lady who was very red in the face and verv
sturdy in the arms, and who very strongly re-
sembled Mrs Weeks. The battle had commen-
ced In the passage way. Gales castor, which
shone in the rays of the setting sun as he drove
down the road, was very much bruised and out
OF shape, indeed it was driven far down over
Gales amiable phys,ognomy
What in thunder's cat y yelled Gale.
twenty-five years oldt' shresed the infa-
rated dame, and bang Calc-cacghsthe mop over
ms shoulders "Corkscrew ringiets, !" and punk
he got it in the back, with all the strength.
which nature and anger had given TO the en-
aged lady.
"D-n it, don't do that y
But 1t was no use, be had to take II.