Maryland free press., 1862-12-19
A rAUeHABLf PREDICTION.

through one OF tne New England towns, IN an
old fashioned stagc-coach, with friend, whose
powers of making fun from the slightest cause
were manifest from any passing object that he
chose to attack. 1t was midnight, and as we
approached the village of R---d, he espied
large mansion house on top Of small sugar
loaf hill, close by the road. When we arrived
opposite, he asked the driver to stop b few
minutes; the request was 'cheerfuliy complied
with, although we were most freezing, but
what trick he had in view none could guess.
The funny gentleman marched directly up
to the front door of the mansion and knocked
with his cane loud enough to awake all the in
habitants. Immediately window-sash was
raised, and out popped a red night cap con-
taining the head of the proprietor, who IN
alarm exclaimed
"What-what's the matter? What's wan
ted at this time of night?"
pardon me, sir, for this intrusion; but
have communication to make to you person.
ally, and as the stage is waiting impatiently
for me, please hurry to the door for one mo-
ments interview"
The old gentleman's red night cap with its
owner in garment curtailed of its fair pro-
portions, were almost Immediately at the door,
politely bowling to the funny stranger, who
again apologised for disturbing his slusnber
and thus exposing him to the chilly winds of
a December night.
"My dear sir" interrupted Mr.. Nightcap,
"don't mention it, but pardon me for appear
ing before you in the plight in which you see
me-
"You are certainly quite excusable, and es-
pccially as my great haste prompted this cour-
teous response to my call upon you"
"Be pleased to step into the house, as no.
tice some ladies in the coach are attracted by
my appearance"
"Ncver mind them, my dear sir. Your
finely located mansion has arrested the atten-
ton of US ALT makes truly beautiful ap-
peasancc in the moonlight. Speaking of the
moon, brings to my mind the question which
has recently agitated the scientific world; and
in which You have undoubtedly been interes-
ted, viz: Is this luminary inhabited or is it
not inhabited? The telescopic"-
Excuse my interruption. sir; but allow me
to get cloak, for am almost frozen, and"-
"Ten thousand pardons, my dear friend,
but the stage is waiting for me, and must
lose no time, for of all things in this world,
time, that g. -.
"Allow me to remind you; SLY, that you de-
sired To make communication to me. ain
now ready to receive it."
"Ah, mel How unmindful am in the dis
charge of duty incumbent upon me, and
which has beeh too long prosracted, most
readily acknowledge"
"Obige me, sir, by coming directly to the
communication you desire to make"
"4Again, I beg you to forgive my apparent
tardincst in doing So. The fact, my dearest
sir, which us . scientific man folt it my duty
to divulge to you for your own benefit
for need not inform you that men endowed
with scientific attainments, and'-
"But, sir, l demand, without further delay,
what is the important fact you desire to COM
mrnicatc?"
"It is simply this: Your house being situa-
ted ON the apex of hill, with sides sloping
sufficiently low to allow water to flow there
from, I have stopped the coach this cold
night, and aroused you from your slumbers
to, apprise you Of the fact that you can with
the greatest ease drain your ceh,r from .}ou'
different diselosioas."
"Yo,t Internal scoundrel!" shriekcd the as.
tonished and infuriated proprietor. "1'll teacl
you trick worth dozen of this" as he seizet
the funny gentleman's cane, who had COM
menccd rapid retreat for the coach--thc rec
nightcap and abbreviated white garment aftel
him as fast as two spindle shanks could carry
him. But the funny gent gained upon hi
pursuer, jumped into the coacls, which was a
otce put into full speed up an adjoining hill
with the enfagc1 country gentlemsh, IN esr
tailed garment fiatterfhg In the breeze, in col'
pursuit, but whose hot impreeations agafns
MS all were enough to stife the nirth OF u hv
Yankee.
On arriving at the top Of the hill, by one q
those singular condolences which sometimi
mes occur at the crisis, to mar or to heightel
ones happiness, We suddenly came i'll contac
with two open carriages abreast, loaded .
overaowing with Indies and gentlemen VIII
were returning from country ball. The at
tention of the whole party was soon turned t
our red capped, white garmented pursucr, VIII
not liking so many lady spectators, hurled hi
cane at us, (which, however, glanced by an
struck among and aroused family of pigs b
the road side,) and commenced rapid retrea
for home, followed by a dozen squeakin
cease. The scene presented was the most lu
dicrous imaginable, and such wild outburs
of uncomfortable merriment is seldom heard
indeed, il was u fit subject for the peneil of
Hogarth.-a> '-o'-'
Pore ON SIaEL,--In Major General Hal