The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-03-20
.RIncIz Sfrap."


Some ludicrous things happen in real life
that everybody can laugh at, save those who
are their victims; for we take IT, that TO make
good Joke TO give II point and effect, some
one must sufIer--that they must he sting IL
procure the ludierous grimace. We heard a
story in point recently, which is literally true
and cur readers shall have il for their edtca
ton:
Out in Erie. Pennsylvania there resides a
young lawyer, son ola Supreme Judge, who is
devoted 70 a lire OF practice not set down ia
the bOOks-such as 2unning, fishing and hay-
ing god time generally" Not long ago, b.,
in company with another young gentleman
stra,ed on a cunning and fishing excursion to a
thinly settled part of Pennsylvania, on the line
Of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad. The point
at which they domiciled, was a station On that
road where German had opened store for
the purpose Of supplying the labnrers on the
work with "dry goods and groceries," princi
pally the latter. Here they enjoyed them
selves for few days ln free and easy manner,
One morning they arose before the sun, intend
ing tn proceed upon an excursion some distance
into the woods 10 try their luck, when the fol-
lowing conversation took place between them.
SAID the young gentleman, who was the son Of
well known proprietor Of a hotel in Erie, to
his companion:
II have bottle of prime Jamaica Rum, a
first rate article, and think it would be good
idea to try it this morning. Suppose we go to
the Store and make some black strar."
Now, reader, "black strap" is Gvorite New
England drink, and composed OF rum aud mo.
lasses. The Judges son demurred not to the
suggestion, and with the bottle, they repaired
to the grocery.
The assistant in charge ofths establishment
was Teuton of not remarkable bri'liancy, but
ofvery accommodating disposition. AS soon
as he entered the defendant Of Boniace asked:
"tlave you any fist rate molasses?'
"Yay."
"Wen take these three glasses and fill them
each about half full of the best you have"
'Iaw," responded Teutop; and suiting the
action TO the word, he went into dark room
and IN a few moments returned W tn the glasses
each containing the required amount The Ja-
maiea Rum was poured in, not in homeopat hic
doses--was vigorously stirred in the dim light OF
early dawn, and the youthful offspring OF the
keeper Of the house of public entertainment
gulped his down with one pull. 1t tasted queer,
and his stomach evinced a disposition to rebel
against it, but he preserved a smooth counter
ance.
"How does it go n' asked the limb Of the law
"Bully!" gasped his friend.
This assurance was enough, and another
glass was swallowed. Teuton followed suit,
and down went his mixture.
BY this time the two disciples Of Nimrod and
Isaac Walton were on the outside OF the store
shouting New Yorkn' No man who ever
event down to the sea in ships ''cast up accounts
more vigorously than did these two concoctorS
OF "black strap" The German was ofsronger
stomach, and he, graspng the bottom OF his
vest with both hands, rushed after his friends
calculating "mne got!" at every step: The
gentlemen from Erie were, iua lew minutes
entirely prosrated. Completely exhausted,
they stretched themselves on the coun er, while
the Teuton rushed two miles across the coun-
try for physician, feeling convinced that all
had been poisoned.
The DR.. came, and after examining the glas
SEES, burst into laugh. lie discovered that the
German had tapped the wrong barrel instead
OF drawing molasses, had partly filled the glas
ses with cheap whale oil of the nastiest kind
There was no danger to life, but the emetic was
powerful, and the hunters took the first train
for home, looking as pale as ghosts, and desti 4
tute Of all muscular vigor as Mark Tapley was
after six months residence in the American
Eden.
The judges son gives it as his opinion that
''striking lie" may be a lucky thing in gene
raj way but striking it in mistake for molasSes
is intoIerable AMI not to be borne; while his
companion, whose ability to keep a hotel has
lately been doubted, declares that the next
time he coneots black strap he will be sure OF
his ingredients.