The Shasta courier., 1865-03-11
How a Dry Joker was Joked.

AT the name of Gale Meeks, what reminis.
cences pass before our mental vision! Old
| recollections come crowding upon us, and we
see an array of the sold'' pass before our
minds eye, in the shape of seekers after the
mythical Frank Mclaughlin, the victim of
croten oil and jalap, for the administration of
which no medical reason existed, and a long
line of those who have been humbugged gen.
orally without any species of sell.
Gale was the prince of dry jokers he lived,
moved and had his being through diurnal
succession of sells indeed, his life was one
great sell, composed of conglomeration of
the infnitestimal sells of fifty years duration
Now Bixby, Nathan Bixby, was one of
Gale truest and staunchest business acauain.
tances. although he had never been introduced
into the domestic circle, and made glad by the
portly presence of Mrs. Gale, who was some.
what 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, and Nat Bixby lived in our
Babel of New York. Well, one day Gale
was hard pushed for an object upon which
to infict practical joke, and in his dilemma
selected his friend Nat as his victim.
The manner in which Nat was sold. do
not choose to particularly describe. Suffice
1T to say, that under the play of Gales exu
berant fancy, Nat made journey to ALBANY.
insisting that lady there had sent him an
amatory epistle, which he produced. The
lady became indignant, called in the aid of
her husband, who literally skinned Mr.. Blk
by, who thereafter returned to Gotham with
a very adult flea in his auracular 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
mistake, and his still bruised features, in
which he joined but those present noticed
the fact that he didn't laugh an inch below
his chin /; indeed, it was generally believed
that Mats mirth was entirely simulated.
" Now, old fellow" said Gale, "you don't
hold any malice, do your"
g Not a bit" answered Nat, " and in token
of amity, let us take smiles ali round"
Which they did in the usual manner.
" How did YOU come to town" asked Nat.
" l drove up in a light wagon" replied
Gale.
6 And when will you return home? 2"
"About six O'Clock this evening, respond.
ed Caleb.
Nat thereupon pleaded an engagement and
left but as soon as he was out of eveshot of
his joker friend, repaired to Gray's stable in
Warren street, where he hired fast horse
and light vehicle, with which he started i,
through bye street, for the residence Of his
friend Gale, on Long Island On arriving,
he left his horse and wagon at public house.
and proceeded on foot to the aforesaid resi-
dence. where he inquired of the servant if
Mr. Meeks was at home. On being answer
ed, as ne knew he would be, in the negative
he said
This is unfortunate. want to pay him
some money. If could see Mrs. .Meeks, it
would do as well she could give me a receipt
in the name of her husbandn
Mrs. NJ. was frugal and Industrious, and
always attentive to her husbands interests.
As the last remark fell from the lips of Nat,