Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-03-04
! TALES AND SKETCHES.
Ta9El TABLES TURNED.

we can see an array of the solid" pass be-
fore the minds eye, in shape of seekers after
the mythical Frank Mclaughlin, the vic
tins of croton and jalap, for the admins.
tration of which no medical reason existed.
and a long line of those who have been
hum-buggcd generally without any specific
regard to the particular species of sell.
Gale was the prince of dry jokers; he lived.
moved, nnd had his being through diurnal
succession of sells indeed, his life was one
Great sell composed of a conglomerati6n of
the intinitesinal sells Of fifty years duration.
Now Dixby, Nathan Dixby, was one of
Gales truest and staunchest business ac-
4ualntances, although he had never .been
introaqced into the domestic circle made
gad by the portly presence oc Mrs. Gale,
VINO was somewhat addicted to jealousy.
The reason for this lack of acquaintance
was taat She lived a secluded life in one
OF the iitt'e villages on Long Island. and
Nat Dixoy lived in the Babel of New York
Weil one day Gale was hard pushed for an
object on which to infict practical Joke
and In ms dilemma selected his friend Nat
as his victim. The manner in which Nat
was sold | do NOS, choose tp particularly ue-
scribe. Suffice it 20 say TINT under the olay
of Gales exhubera,,t fancy. Nat made n
journey to Albany, jnsiAed that a .adv
there had sent hp, an arhsahry epistle. which
he produced. The lady kcame indignant
called in the aid of her h, Vand. who liter
ally skinned Mr. Dixby, Mo thereafter re-
turned to Gotham with a Arge and lively
flea in his ear. This event happened in the
early springtime, and on clear day. About
week after Mats return fnm ALBANY. he
met Gale. The sell was diclosed by Gale
and hearty laugh was had over Mats
mlslay, and at his still bruised features in
which he joined but those present poticed
the fact that he did not laugh All inch be.
low the chin; indeed it. was generally b,s.
lieved that Mats mirth was entirely simua-
ted.
Now, old fellow" said Gale, "you don't
hold any malice, do you9n
Not bit" answered Nat, "and in token
round"
Which thing was done in the usual man
ncr.
SLOW did you come to town ?" asked Nat.
Il drove up in light wagon replied
Gale.
And when will you return homcl"
about SIX o'clock this evening"" replied
Gale.
Nat thereupon plead an engagement, and
left; but as soon rs he was out of earsnot
of his joker friend, repaired to Gray's stable,
in Warren Street, where he hired fast
horse and light vehicle and with which
he'started, through by-street, for the resi-
dcnce of his friend Gale, on Long Island.
On arriving, he left his horse and wagon at
IL public house, and proceeded to the afore-
said residence, where lie inquired Of the ser
vat if Mr.. MeekS was at home. On being
answered, as he knew he would be, in the
negative, he said:
This is unfortunate. | wanted to pay
lin some money If could see Mrs Meeks
it would do as well; she could give ne a
receipt in her husbands name"
Mrs Meeks was frugal and industrious,
and always attentive to her husbands inter
csts. As the last remark fell from the lips
uf Nat, fine looking matron called from
up the stairs to the servant "to show the
gentleman in the parlor," where she follow
cd in few minutes. Nat bowed, and said;
81 desire to see Mrs, Meeks, madam"
Very well," replied she, Il am Mrs.
Mccks."
Pardon me, madam" said Nat, with a
doubling shake of the head; 'but this is a
matter Of some importance--the payment of
money; and you are not the lady Mr.. Mceks
'Not the lady? What shrieked she, do
you near. to tell me that"
~ simply tel you, madam" replied Nat,
with icy impurturbility, that Mr.. Meeks
last winter, in Broadway, near Leonard
Street, introduced me tc a lady whom he
called Mrs. Meeks, and you are not the
lady"
"Indeedw exclaimed Mrs Meeks, her eyes
fin Sbintr t-n nlnu- ola WAS no ~
"Well, about twenty-five"
"Twenty-tive And how was she dress
ed"
"Shc wore her hair in ringlcts, had dla-
mond earrings !'-
Diamond earrings !"
"a heavy silk velvet dress, very large
gold bracelets, magnificent watch and
chain"
well, 60 on" she said spitcfully.
"Silk velvet hat trimmed with magnificent
lace, and a mulf and boa"
boa ~ screeched out the now thoroughly
irate dame: you'd better bore your way
out of this house, sir. mighty quick, or else
somebody will have the headache No, sir
am not Mrs. Mecks, and want you to
leave
20, certainly" said Nat, who saw the
tallest kind of storm brewing, and who had
good reason to believe that the sturdy dame
might launch at his head conk-shell or
some other heavy ornaments which adorned
the mantel. Nat thereupon beat hasty re-
treat from off the premises, and placed him
self behind stone wall, from which he
could command view of the Brooklyn
turnpike. He did not wait long before he
saw amiable Caleb driving down the road
all unconscious of the ambush of Nat. The
expression on Caleb's face was one of great
amiability, and exempli6ed that he was at
peace with "all the world and the rest OF
mankind"
In brief space of time Caleb's horse was
given in charge of stable-boy, and uncon
scious and happy, he entered his domici
and shut the door. The moment he entered
an attentive ear might have detected thG
sound of voice in no way mellow or ex
pressive of endearment; and in an instant
after Caleb hurriedly came through tho
door, with amazement ON his front and q
| mop in his rear, the soft end os which was
under the direct and personal superinten
dence of lady who was very red in thu
face and very sturdy in arms, and who
strongly resembled Mrs Meeks. The battle
had commenced in the passage-way Calebi
castor, which shoue In the rays of the setting
sun as he drove down the road, was nov
very much bruised aud out of shape-in
/ Aaal 1riv far 0alahi