The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-10
miscellaneous,
THE TABLES TURNED,
Or
+, How = very Dry Joker was Joksd'

vision! Old recollections come crowd.
ing upon us, and we see IN array oil
the "solid" pass before our minds eye,
in the shape Of seekers after the myth
cal FRANK MCLAUGHLIN, the victim OF
croton oil aud jalap, ior the administra.
ton Of which no medical reason exis.
ted, and a long line Of those who have
humbugged generally without any spe-
ci6c species Of sell.
Gale was the prince Of dry Jokers !;
he lived, moved and had his being
through diurnal SUGGESTIONS OF sells !;
indeed his life was one great sell, com.
posed Of an conglomeration OF the infin-
itessimal sells Of fifty years duration.
Now BrxBY. Nathan Bixby. was one
of Gales truest and staunchest bust.
ness acquaintance, although he had
never been introduced into the domes.
tic circle, made glad by the portly pres.
ence Of Mrs. Gale, who was somewhat
addicted to jealousy. The reason for
this lack of acquaintance was that she
lived secluded life in one OF the little
villages on Long Island. aud Nat Blk
by lived in our babel Of New York.
Well. one day Gale was hard pushed
for an object upon which to infiict n
practical joke. and in his dilemma Sc
lected his friend Nat as victim.
The manner in which Nat was sold.
] do not choose TO particularly describe.
Suffice it to say, that under the play oil
Gales exuberant fancy. Nat made a
journey to Albany. insisted that lady
there had sent him an amatory epistle.
which he produced. The lady became
Indignant, called in the help OF her hus.
band. who literally skinned Mr.. Bixby,
aud he therefore returned to Gotham
with very adult flea in his auric,'lar
apparatus.
The event happened in the early
spring time, and on beautiful day
About week after Mats return from
Albany, he met Gale at Sherwood's.-
The sell was disclosed by Gale, and
hearty laugh was had over Mats mis-.
lay, and his still bruised features. in
which he Joined but those present no.
ticed the fact that he didn't laugh an
inch below his chin. In truth. II was
generally believed that Nat'smirth was
entirely simulated,
"Naw. old fellow" said Gale you
don't hold any malice. do you!"
"Not Bit" answered Nat, "and in
token Of ami,y, let us take smiles all
round"
Which they did in the usual man.
ner.
"How did you come to town." asked
Nat.
II drove up in light wagon" re
sronded Caleb.
"Aud when will YOU return home?
about SIX o'clock this evening" re-
piled Caleb.
Nat thereupon pleaded an engage.
ment and left hut rs soon as he was
out Of ear shot Of his joker friend. re-
paired to GRAY'S stable in Warren ST.,
where he hired fast horse and light
vehicle, and with which he started
through bye street, for the residence
OF his friend Gale OH Long Island. On
arriving, he left his horse and wagon
mt a public house. aud proceeded on
foot to the aforesaid residence. where
he inquired Of the servant il Mr.. Meeks
was at home. On being answered as
he knew he would be, in the negative.
he said: .....+
This is unfortunate. want to pay
him some money II l could see Mrs.
Meeks, it would do US well; she could
give me a receipt in the name OF her
husband"
Mrs. M. was frugal and industrious.
and always attentive TO her husbands
interests. AS the last remark fell from
the lips of Nat, fine looking matron
called from up the stairs to the servant,
to "show the gentleman IN the parlor,
where she followed in few moments.
Nat bowed and said: ....
81 desired to see Mrs. Meeks, mad
am"
.'very WELL" said she, IL am Mrs.
Meeks."
"Panlon me. madam" said Nat, with
a doubling shake Of the head but this
is matter of some importancc-the
payment Of money-and you are not
the lady Mr.. Meeks introduced me 10
last winter as his wife"
mot the lady! What" shrieked
she; DO you mean to tell me
that"
al simply tell you. madam" replied
Mt, with icy imperturbility, "that Mr.,
Meeks last winter. in Broadway, near
Leonard street, introduced me to a 10.
dy whom he called Mrs. Meeks, and
you are not the lady"
Indeed J" exclaimed Mrs. Meeks,
her eyes flashing fire ; chow old was
she!'
"Well, about twenty-five"
twenty-five! And how was she
dressed"
"She wore her hair in ringlets, and
had diamond earrings"
Diamond earrings
"a heavy silk dress, very large gold
bracelets. u magnificent watch and
chain"
well. go on" she said spi,efully.
silk velvet hat trimmed with mag
ni6cent lace. and muf and boa"
''Boa,' wrcnched out tho now thor