The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-03
The Tables Turned; or, How a Dry
Joker was JOked.


At the name of Gale Meeks, what remini-
cences pass before our mental vision ! Old
recollections come crowding upon us and we
see an array of the "solid" pass before our
minds eye, in the shape of seekers after the
mythical Frank Mclaughlin, the victims of
croton oil and jalap, for the administration of
which no medical reason existed, and long
line of those who have been humbugged gen.
orally without any specific species of SELL
Csle 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 in
finitessimal sells of fifty years DURATION
Now Bixby, Nsthap Bixby, was one of Gales
truest and staunchest business Acquaintance
es although he had never been introduced in.
to the domestic circle made glad by the port
ly presence of Mrs. Gale who was somewhat
addicted TO jealousy. The reason for this
lack of acquaintance was that she lived a Sc
cluded life In of the little villages on
Long Island. and Nat Bixby lived in our ba-
bel of New York Well, one day Gale was
hard pushed for an object upon which to in
fiict practical joke. and his dilemma select
ed his friend Nat as his victim. The manner
in which Maj was sold | do not choose to
part icularly describe Suffice it to say that
under the play OF Gales exuberant fancy,
Nat made a journey TO Albany, insisted that
lady there had sent him amatory epistle,
which he produced. The lady became indig
nant, called in the aid of her husband who
| literally skinned Mr.. Bixby, who thereafter
returned to Gotham with a very adult hea In
| his auricular apparatus. This event happen
| ed in the early spring time, and on a beauti
/ fol day About week after Mats return
| from Albany he met Gale at Sherwood s.
! The sell wac disclosed by Gale and hearty
| laugh was mad over Mats mislay, and at his
still bruised features. In which he joined but
| those present noticed the fact that he did Mt
/ laugh an inch below his chin in truth, it
was generally believed that Mats mirth was
entirely simulated.
Now, old fellow said Gale, you don't
hold any malice, do You
! Not Il Bit answered Nat, and In token of
| amity let US take smiles all around
Which they did Id the usual manner.
How did you come to town p asked Nat.
| Il drove up in a light wagon replied
Gale.
And when will you return home p
| About six o'clock this evening" respond
ed Caleb.
Nat thereupon pleaded an engagement and
left but as soon as he was out of eyeshot of
his joker friend, repaired to Gray's stable in
| Warren street where nc hired fast horse and
a light vehicle and with which he started,
| through by 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 answered, a.
he knew he would be, in the negative, he
! said l. =
Tins is unfortunate. / wanted to pay him
some money. If could see Mrs. Meeks it
would do as well ;; she could give me a re-
ceipt in the name of her husband
| Mrs. Nj. was frugal and Industrious. and
always attentive to her husband 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 gentlem an
| in the parlor where she followed In few
moments. Nat bowed and said:
i desired to see Mrs. Meeks, madam
'Very WE'LL said she, Il am Mrs. Meeks'
Pardon me. madam said Nat, with u
dou biting shake of his head but this is a
matter of some importance--the payment of
money-and You are not the lady Mr. Meeks
introduced me to last week as his wiie.'
Not the lady +? What shrieked she
| DO you mean TO tell that-'
4 simply tell you, madam replied Nat,
with lev impertur bilIty, that Mr.. Meeks last
week, in Broadway, near Leonard street.
introduced ms to lady whom he called Mrs.
| Meeks, and you are not the lady
Indeed = exclaimed Mrs. Mseks, her eyes
flashing fire how old was she
Well about twenty
twenty-five And how was she dress
| edP
She wore her hair in ringlets, and had
diamond ear rings
Diamond ear ringsp
"a heavy silk dress, very large gold brace
| lets, a magnificent watch and chain
Well, go on she said spitefully.
Silk velvet hat trimmed with magnificent
lace. and a muff and boa
/ Boa wrenched out the now thoroughly
irate dame you'd better bore your way out
of this house, sir, mighty quick, or else some
body will have a headache. No, sir, l sm
| not Mrs. Meeks. and / want you to leave
oh, certainly said Nat, who saw the tall
est kind of squat brewing, and who had
good reason to fear that the sturdy dame
mig hit launch at his head a conk shell or
some other OF the heavy ornaments which
adorned the mantle. Nat therefor beat re-
treat from off the premises, and placed him
| self behind stone fence. from which he could
command q view of the Brooklyn turnpike
He did not wait long before he saw the amia-
BILE Caleb driving down the road all uncon-
/ cious of the ambush of Nat. The expression
| upon Caleb's face was one of great amabili-
Il .G-l - L. =.