The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-03-06

.asxs "a q -. gss
: ~ "a 80 20 $50 Z
1Cs gss s1aa sssa sss
new i Dax soxEn Was sexxps
~ the nams Of Gale Mssks, vhat reni.
niseences pass before our mental yisicpe!
Old recollecti0ns como crowding upoA %,
and We SEQ an array Of the tssold's belOrs
i our minds eye, n the Shape of seekers d
the mythical Frank Mel ehiia, the yistinl
/ Of crpton oil and jalap, and for the admin
istration Of which, no medical reason exist
ed, and = long line Of those who have been
lhumbueged generally, without any specific
species Of stsell.,' Gale was the prince Of
dry jokers; be liyed moved and had hls be-
ing, through diurnal succession Of "sells;s'' J
indeed, his life was one great sell, composed
i of 0 conglomeration Of the infnitessimal
sellsof fifty years duration. Now, Nixby-
Nathan Nixby-was one Of Gales trueat and
stannchest business acquaintances, though
he had never been introduced into the do
| mestic circle made glad by the presence Of
Mrs. Gale, who was somewhat addicted to
i jealousy. The reason for this lack of ac-
quaintance, was, that she lived secluded
/ life in one Of the little villages Of Long Is
land, and Nat Nixby lived in our babel Of
New York. Well, one day Gale was hard
pushed for an object upon which to in6ict q
practical Joke, and in his dilemma selected
his friend Nat Is his victim
] The manner in which Nat was sold, do
not choose to particularly describe; suffice
to say that, under tho play Of Gales exu-
berant fancy, Nat made ajourney to Alba
ny, and insisted that q lady there sent !. an
amatory epfstle, wnicn ne produceo. Inc
lady became indignant, called IN the AID OF
her husband, who literally skinned Mr. Nat
NixDy, VINO thereafter, returned 70 dotham
with very adult hea IN his aurlcuiar appa-
ratus. Ihis event happened IN the early
spring time, ana on beautiful Gay, about
a week after Mats return from Albany, ne
met Gale at Sherwo0d,s. Ihls sell was dis-
closed by Gale, and hearty laugh was had
| over Mats mishap, ana at ms stiii bruised
features, in which he joined; but those pres
ent noticed the fact that ne DID not laugh
an inch below ms chm; IN truth, II was gem
orally believed that Mats mirth was entirely
simulated.
/ Snow, old fellow," said Gale, "you don't
hold any malice, 90 you!"
"Not blt, answered Nat, sand IN to-
ken OF amity, let US take q smile oil around"
which they did in the usual manner. et ~
| 'iow did you come to town. asked Nat.
~ dove up IN light wagon replied
'And when will you return hnme?' ii
about six O'Clock this evening" !" respond
ed Gale. "a
Nat thereupon pleaded m engagement,
and left; but as soon rs he was out Of eye
sight of his joking friend, rcpairedto to Gray's
stable, in Warren street, where he hired a
fast horse and light vehicle, and started
through bye street, for the residence of
his friend Gale, on Long Island.
On arriving, he left his horse and wagon
ata public house, and proceeded to the
aforesaid resiuence, where he inquired of
the servant if Meeks was Mt home. On be-
ing answered rs he knew he would be, in the
negative, he said: ~ -
| This is unfortunate. wanted to pay
him some money. If l could see Mrs.
Meeks it would do as well, as she could give
/ me receipt in the name of her husband.
Mrs. N. was frugal and Industrious, and
always attentive to her husbands interest.
As the last remark fell from the lips Of Nat,
fine looking matron called from up the
| stairs, to "show the gentleman into the
parlor,' where she followed in few mo-
ments. Nat bowed and said: #s@ si
4 desired to see Mrs. Meeks, madam?'
| sVery WELL replied she, 81 am Mrs.
| Meeks.' '"
pardon me, madam said Nat, with a
doubling shake of his head; but this is a
matter OF some importance-the payment Of
money; and you are not the lady Mr.. Meeks
introduced to me as his wife, last winter!'
| Not the lady? what9' shrieked she. sDo
you mean to tell me that @i. s.f' 'a
simply tell you, madam replied Nat,
with icy imperturbility, that Mr.. Meeks,
last winter, in Broadway, near Leonard
street, introduced me to lady whom he
called Mrs. Meeks, and you are not the
lady.
'indeedH exclaimed Mrs. Meeks, her eyes
hashing hre: 'How old was she!'
| We'll, about TWENTY-FIVE 'aE s
Twenty-Five! And how was she dressed?'
she wore her hair IN ringlets, had dia-
mona ear rlngs-H IN -
"A heavy silk velvet dress, very large
gola bracelets, magnificent watch and
cha,n.
Msh, 60 on," she said spitcfully.
'Siik velvet nat trimmed with magnificent
! ~ 4, q .ss,
boa: wrenched out the now thoroughly
infuriate dame. You'd better bore your
way OUT OF this house, SIR, l 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 fenr that the sturdy dame
might launch at his head conkshell or some
other OF the heavy ornaments which adorn-
ed the mantel. Nat therefore beat a retreat
from Oft the premises, and placed himself
behind stone fence, from which he could
command view OF the Brooklyn turnpike.
lie did not wait long before he saw the
amiaole Gale driving down the road, all un-
conscious OF the ambush of Nat. The ex-
presslon upon Gales face, was one OF the
greatest amiability, and exenplihed that he
was At peace with s'all the world and the
rest OF mankind.'
In brief space OF time, Gales steed was
given INTO the charge OF stable boy, and
unconscious and happy, ne entered his doni-
c'l and shut the door. The moment he en-
tered, an attentive ear might have detected
the sounds OF voice IN no way mellow, or
expressive OF endearment; and an instant
after, Gale hurriedly came through the door,