The mountain Democrat., 1865-08-05
THE TARLGs Puzzled.

Old fecOllecti0Ds come cTowding upon us,
and we can see 90 array Of the solid pass
before our minds eye, in the shape OF
seekers ASAeP ihO mythical Frank Nc
LaughliR, the victims Of crotON End jAlap,
for the administration Of which no medi.
cal reason existed, and q long line Of those
who have been humbOgged generally
without any specific regard to the partic.
lar species Of sell. Gale was the prince
Of dry iokers be lived, moved and had his
being through q diurnal succession Of
sells indeed. his life was one great sell
composed Of coOglomerhtiOn Of infnitis.
imal sells Of 6ftv years duration. Now
Dixby, Nathan Dixby Was one Of Gales
truest and staunchest business acQuaip.
tances, although he had never been in.
troduced into the domestic circle made
glad by the portly presence 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 small villages on Long Island, and
Nat Dixby lived in the Babel Of New
York. Well, one day Gale was bard
pushed for an object on which to inflict
a practical joke, and in his dilemma se.
lected his friend Nat as his victim. The
manner in which Nat was sold l do not
choose to particularly describe. Suffice
it to say, that under the play Of Gales
exnberaDt fancy, Nat made journey to
Albany, insisted 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.. Dixby, who there.
after returned 70 Gotham with large
and lively flea IN his ear. This event
happened in the early spring time, and
on n clear day. About week after Mats
return from Albany he met Gale. The
sell was disclosed by ale, and hearty
laugh was had over Mats mislay, and at
his still bruised features, in which he
joined but those present noticed that he
did not laugh an inch below the chin, in.
deed, it was generally believed that Mats
mirth was entirely simulated.
Now, old fellow, said Gale, you DOM
hold any malice, do your
Not n bit, answered Nat, 'and in to-
ken Of amity, let US take q smile al
,.found.'
Which thing was done in the usuaI
manner.
How did you come to town. asked
Na>
/ o,',ss up in light wagon replied
Gale.
And when wiil YOU return homer
About six O'Clock this evening, replied
Gale.
Nat thereupon plead au engagement
and left; but as soon as T.: y SIS out Of eaI
shot Of his joker friend, ,repa,<& 70 Gray,
stable, in Warren street, whery MS hired
fast horse and light vehicle, an3 sitt
which he started through by street. "a
the residence Of his friend Gale, on Lor;
Island. On arriving he lett his horse ant
wagon at public house and proceeded
to the aforesaid residence, where be in
quired Of the servant whether Mr. Meeks
was at home. On being answered, as hG
knew he wonld. in the negative, he said
This is unfortunate. wanted TO pay
him some money. II could see Mrs.
Meeks it would do as we'll; she could
give a receipt in her husbands name
Mrs. Meeks was frugal and industrious,
and always attentive TO her husbands in.
terests. As the last remark fell from the
lips of Nat. q fine looking matroh called
from up stairs to the servant, TO show the
gentleman into the parlOr; where she fol-
lowed in few minutes. Nat bowed, and
said:
Il desire to see Mrs. Meeks, madam.'
Very well, replied she, 1 am Mrs.
Meeks.'
Pardon me, madam, said Nat, with a
doubling shake Of the head; but this is
a matter Of some impOrtsnce-the pay
ment Of money and you are not the lady
Mr.. Meeks introduced me to as his wife
last winter
Not the lady! What shrieked she,
do you mean ~ tell me that
Il simply mean to tell you, madam,
replied Nat. with icy imperturabllity.
that Mr. Meeks last winter, in Broadway,
near Leonard st, introduced me to lady
whom he called Mrs. Meeks, and you are
not the lady
'Indpedl + exclaimed Mrs. Meeks, her
eyes flashing fire, 'how ol was Shei'
well. about twenty. five
Twenty .fvel And how was she
dressedI
She wore her hair in rtngIets, and had
diamond earnings
Diamond ear fings!'
"A heavy silk velvet dress, very large
gold bracelets, magnificent watch and
chain
We'll, 60 on she said spitefuily.
silk velvet hat, trimmed with magnif.
iccnI lace, and mnff and boa.
'Boal screeched out the now thorough
ly irate dame; you'd better bore your
way ont Of this house. sir. mighty quick
or else somebody will have the headache!
N, sir am not Mrs. Meeks, and l want
you to leave
%, certainly said Nat, who saw the
talleSt kind of storm brewing, and who
had good reason to believe that the stur.
dy dame might launch at his head conk.
shell, or some other ornament which
adorned the mantle Nat thereupon beat
a hasty retreat from off the premises, and
placed himself behind a stone wall, from
which he could command view of the
Brooklyn turnpike. He did not wait long
until he saw the amiable Caleb driving
down the road all unconscious of the am.
bush Of Nat. The expression Of Caleb's
face was at peace with "all the world and
the rest OF mankind
In brief space Of time Caleb's steed
was given in charge Of a stable.boy, and
unconscious and happy he entered his
domicil and shut the door. The mo.
ment he entered an attentive ear might
have detected the sound OF q voice in no
way mellow or expressive Of endearmenG
and in an instant afterward Caleb hur-
riedly came through the door, with amaze.
ment on bis front and mop in his rear
the soft end Of which was under the direct