Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-05-10
Not Up to Snuff.

John Tice, Philadelphia paper in.
forms US, is a New Jersey grocer, who
came 20 that city few days since to
replenish his stock. Completing his
purchases, which were in due time de-
posted on the docks to be shipped per
steamer, Mr.. Tice thought proper to
keep his eye upon the goods until they
could be taken on board. Among them
was a fine Bucks county cheese, weigh
ing about sixty FIVE pounds, upon
which, for the want of better accom-
n,odations, the weary grocer seated
himself, as he watched the remainder
OF his property upon the wharf.
While thus seated, runinating over
the events Of the war, calculating the
! profits he would realize upon his pur-
ehases, and every now and then solac-
ing his nasal organ from "yellow''
snuff f-box, two nice young men ap-
proached and entered into converse
ton.
"You take snuff, sir" said young
man number one.
eyes. Couldn't do withou, it
Took it for over eight years"
"You use the maccaboy, I perceive. y
eyes. That suits me best for a
steady snuff
Let me recommend you to try
mine," said the sharper, producing a
silver-plated box, engraved with an
American eagle and two harpoons.-
IL imported it from France. 1t is the
identical snuff used by Marshal Peliss
Ter and the officers of the French ar
my
Mr.. Tice said "Certainly;" and in
serted his thumb and finger into the
strangers box. The moment he plac-
ed it to his nose he was seized with vi
olenc sneezing. At every sneeze he
lifted himself about q foot from the
cheese upon which he was sitting
While he was doing this, sharper num-
Der two was carrying out his share of
the programme. AS Mr.. Tice gave
the third sneeze he pushed the cheese
from under him, and in its stead plac
ed peck measure. AS Mr.. Tice was
sneezing for the eighth and last time,
the sharpers and the cheese disappear
ed. Mr.. Tice rubbed his nose for
| about FIVE minutes, and spen, about
five minutes more III wondering as to
| the style Of nose possessed by Marshal
Pellssler and officers Of the French ar
my, who took such remarkable snuff.
BY this time the deck hands Of the
boat commenced to load up Mr.. Tice's
goods. Mr.. Ticc rose from his seat,
and said !:
| "Take this cheese. too"
Deck hand said:
"What cheese 2"
Mr. Tice looked around, and found
that instead of the cheese he had been
sitting upon peck measure. When
| he understood the manner in which the
| exchange had been effected, he was
about the worst excited man of the
season. He offered fifty dollars to any
| one who wonid g:se s:;'e hin an oppoftuni-
ty to fight the thieves, with one hand
tied behind his back.
SUPERSTITION ON NUMBEks.--The
other mornIng g gentleman hurried in
to Strickland & Co.'S. bookstore, half
out Of breath, exclairning as he enter
ed that che wanted 555 if it wasn't
sold-for the Philharmonic Gift Con-
cert" He said she had been dream
ing all night about the figure S, and he
was determined to have ticket that
had the largest number Of SIS on it Of
any in the list.
| Luckily for him his ticket had not
been sold, and in purchasing it he be-
came the virtual possessor Of the ele,
giant piano which constitutes the high
est prize among the gifts. (That is,
he became the possessor in his own
superstit!ous estimation, and if it sho'd
happen to result 50 he would become
superstitious enough for Pagan)
| But Notwithstanding he is to draw
the piano, provided his is the lucky
number) there are numerous other val
liable prizes in the scheme, as we see
by the circular that has been issued bv
Strickland & Co., who act as agents
for the Milwaukee Musical Society
There are sixty prizes iii all, of the val
lie of sl7oO, and the number of tickets
! is lilaited to 2,2oO. Among the prizes
is superb rosewood s4o0 piano a
rosewood music box, 80 inches long,
with bell, castinet and drum aeeolnpa
niaments, worth 500 an ebony dress
ing case, worth $50; Singers sew
| ing machine, worth $50; a rosewood
stereoscope with fifty choice views,
worth $s4; several oil paintings worth
$se and $40 each; another ebony
dressing case worth $50, and in fact a
| list of the finest prizes for scheme of
tie kind that we ever saw offered for
contribution. Besides these chances,
| the concer. Will be Z fine affair, and