The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-04-05
CircumstantiaI Eviasnee.

Joe Brace was farmers son, in the town
of W, and by his tricks, and games,
and wild pranks, caused his watchfnl ~pa-
rient no little trouble sometimes. 1t hap
pened, on one occasion, that Master Joe was
caught in some misdemeanor, and as pun
ishment for the same, had been compelled
to hoe in the cornfield until such time as the
said "parient" should judge proper that he
should be released. Joe, like dutiful son,
took his hoe, and straightway commenced
sad havoc among tie weeds which obstruct-
ed the growth of the corn $500 -sa
Dinner-time came and passed by, and still
no call for poor Joe, who began to think his
punishment was greater than he could
BEAR" but still he toiled on, expecting eve
ry moment to hear the summons which
would release him, for time, at least, from
his task. But there was no such good luck
for him. The old man determined he should
stsweat it out, = as he termed it; and stretch
ing himself on the lounge in the back room,
was soon fast asleep. Joe lahored faithfully
till near three O'Clock, when, hunger getting
the better of duty, he resolved to obtain
something to "stay his stomach at all
hazards. So, dropping his hoe, he steerel
cautiously for the house; and entering the
back door, succeeded in reaching the pam
try without detentiOn-the old man being
asleep, and the other portion of the house
hold being engaged with some company in
the front part of the house, who had arrived
q few minutes before. On entering, he COM
menced an attack ON mince pie that had
been set before the window to cool, being
just from the oven. 1883 g. iiils7 as
When he had about half demolished the
pie, and was thinking of some means to es-
cape detection, his meditations were disturbed
by something coming In contact with his
limbs. On looking down, he saw the favor
lite pussy, who had stolen in at the door, and
was rubbing herself and purring, as if ex-
pressing her entire satisfaction at the pro
ceeding. On perceiving her, he thought of
a plan which he Immediately put into exc
cution. Grasping her fore legs, he dab
bed them about in the remaining part
Of the pie, and placing her ON the shelf left
the pantry, the cat jumping to the floor and
following him, leaving hel tracks of course,
both on the shelf and on the floor Joe
now made immediate haste for the field.
refreshed by his " bite" and was soon dill
gently at work s25 a4 @
1ehad been hoeing but short time, when,
hearing q noise in the rear, he looked up
and saw the old man coming, with Tabby
under one arm and his gun over his shoulder.
Neither spoke; the old man passing by, and
proceeding round behind Knoll which hid
him from Joe's view. }n
Joe leaned on his hoe for moment, list
! ening, when the silence was suddenly dis
turbed by the report of a gun, mingled with
the screenings of the cat, plainly intirnat-
| ing what had been the fate of poor pussy
| In moment more. the old man re-appeared
with his gun in hand, the smoke still curl
| ing from the barrel; and as be passed by his
laboring hopeful, if he. had not been little
hard of hearing, he might have heard .i-i-l 1
:" There goes another Oictins to circumstd,l-
| hal eUideace'' rE