The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-08-31
They evidently were going to stew some

oysters, anu 1, " i1oiG houiA ho'O "
remain prisoner until such time as they
concluded TO leave. Well, it could not
be helped. so | settled myself as best |
could, fully resolved to stick to the bar
rel as long as it afforded me shelter.
To work they went. The oysters were
soon out of the shells, and Fanny, brush
ling the shells in a pan, approached the
barrel Good Heavens She was going
to empty the shells on my head. Ugh
down came a shower of shells with such
force as to nearly stun me, aud Fanny
with laugh, cried
Girls, I've christened the new svill-
barre" at which drolI saying the girls
all gggled.
"W thought 7, "many things might
be worse; and the girls may not have oc-
casion TO use the s@ill barrel again"
But hardly had tie thought passed
through my brain, than splash, down
came a promiscpous mess Of potato peel,
iDgs, old bread aud cabbage leaves. This
display Of hospitality was accompanied
with hearty laugh from the girls, and |
heard Fanny remark that sbe vas making
good food for hogs.
Il wonder why Frank don't make his
! appearance ~ I heard Bertha say.
/ Don't know" replied Fanny, "unless
he is enjoying himself better elsewhere +"
which remark elected another laugh from
the girls.
Enjoying himself better elsewhere" "
thought l with groan. Ugh, very
much better, indeed, Mss Fanny, and |
hope at some future time to be able to
give you a taste Of the pleasure I am en-
joging."
Nellie" I heard Fanny say, "oys.ers
cannot live without water" and immedi-
ateIy a large painful of dish-vater was
precipiiated upon me, completely running
my new coat, which | lad purchased only
the day before, and making me feel more
ike drowned rat than a human being.
/ | heard a hearty laugh from the girls,
and the suspicion flashing across the that
! the cjris were aware of my presence, l
was in th5 act Of jumping from the barrel,
when, Oh down came a handful Of four
completely binding De FOX moment. In
an Instant was ont Of the barrel aud iu
the midst Of a laughing group Of girls.
"Hamlyt's Ghost" cried Fanny.
Then q loud laugh from the gjris. l
could endure DO more. Rushing to the
door, I wys met full in the face BY a basin
Of water and an "Excuse me, sir by
Bertha, while a sgft ball OF dough strack
I ne on The back cf tie neck, nearly knock
I Ing Llo sause.ess.
/ rushed from the house aud down a
back street, half dozen dogs following,
yelling at ;Ae top Of their voices. dis
tanc3d them all, and soon found myself
in tie room Of my friend, Harry Wilson,
pauting fer breath.
Coed Lorj," cried Harry, "what have
YOU beea doing TO get yourself IN 8acd a
plight ,-Bolbog in the gutter 2"
"Ho, ho, Harry! :! | replied, "give me
a suit Of yoar clothes ana basin cf wa
ter aud l will tell you all the particulars,
provided pou promise secrecy"
While reuoyatiug myself, | related to
Harry my adventure, and ! though; he
would XII! himself laughing After
had coucIuced, he slapped me oa the
shoulder and said The best joke Of the
season, Frank"
81 don't see /; in that light" I replied.
remained with Harry that night, and
the next morning went back to Uncle
Johns.
The first person / met was Fanny, who
burst into ct Of laughing oa seeing ne.
tried to be angry but couldn't, and as ]
took heF profered band, said "A truce
to all practice! jokes, Fanny"
"With all my heart" she replied and
you may depend upon it, never after
ward tried to joke with Ny Cousin Fanny.
AD-Oue Of the American characteris-
ties which TIost surprised the good na-
tured Ne TroiIope in his recent journey
through this couutry,i is the imperturbable
good humor and hopefuuess ofthe people
lie meets frequently people who are ruined
by the calamities OF the war. They never
weep, or wiring their hands, or tear their
hair. One man, from whom the seces
sionists of Missouri had taken cattle, crops
aud all the fruit of ye.rs, merely re
marked, in quiet way, while he picked
his teeth with a bowie knife, Eyes, they
have been kinder rough with me" That
was all; he lad nothing else to say. Mr.
Trollope thinks a genuine american
never complains and never despai:s
Whatever happens in the external world
says Mr.. L, "the man IS always there"
"Where are you going Z" asked little
boy Of another, who had slipped down on
an icy pavement. Going 10 get up -
was the blunt reply.