The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-05-09

his malady, and promised to send him com
medicine. I then made some inquiries afte
his wife, who suffered from the disease ever
more than her husband. Fortunately they
had No children, or my stay might hav,
been prolonged considerably, for there wa
great tendency to prolixity in the worthy
couple when speaking of their maladies
All was at last terminated, and, with some
little fear and trepida'ion, l preached tbs
subject of the barristers wig. ] exper
fenced far greater difficulty than had anti
cipated. At first he was willing enough Il
lend me the wig; but when he understood
1t was to adorn the head of o circus clown,
be Immediately withdrew his promise. lie
told me he had great respect for the whole
legal profession, and enumerated different
eminent 'awyers whose wigs he had dressed
when he resided in London; and on no &C.
count. even to oblige me, would he do any
thing to bring that profession into ridicule
l was almost in despair but still did not
give up all hope; SO | changed the subject
into lecture on dyspepsia. and the ire
mendous evils attendant on that malady il
it were not carefully and scientifically
treated. found, as | went on. the faces oil
both husband and wife lengthen, and | took
good care not TO let the impression of fear
under which they were evidently laboring
in any way lessen. Having raised con
siderable amount Of terror in the minds OF
the worthy couple, I somewhat abruptly
left them. /, however, went no farther
than the next house, . stationer's, and l
there occupied myself in looking with grea,
intentness on some colored prints in the
shop windows.
Presently, as had fully expected, the
hairdresser's wife came 10 me, and told me
her husband wished to speak to me- i'm
mediately returned; and he then said he
had reconsidered the matter, and was per-
fecily ready to lend me the wig. a will"
be continued, "merely put a finishing touch
to it, and you will find it at your house
when you return" l sincerely thanked
him for his kindness, and instantly pro-
ceeded to seek my friend the clown.
found my patient progressing favorably,
rs well as her baby; Tommy himself was
in the room when l arrived. He had the
infant in his arms, and was gazing at it
with great satisfaction and pride in his
countenance Seeing he was in favorable
state of mind to listen to my application,
Immediately opened the subject. told
him had great favor to ask, and trusted
he would not be offended. wanted to try
an experiment that evening with his assist
ouSOs oAN Ao WVOiu Sotiy OUuS0 mc ny
wearing for the occasion q barrister wig
instead Of his own. He appeared greatly
tstonished at my request, and feared he
would refuse me; but was most aRreeably
disappointed.
offended, sir" he replied: "not at all
will do it with pleasure. Why. the idea
is sublime! How wonderful it is" he con-
,inued, "that 50 simple dodge should
never have been thought of before!" Then
again his expression fell almost to sadness.
What q pity it is" said he. :" have no.
wig Of the kind, nor is there one in the
whole of our properties"
told him that had = magnificent one at
home, which was perfectly at his service
He expressed himself most grati6ed for my
Kindness, and it was arranged he should
call at my house for the wig on his road to
the circus.
The evening came, and left the house to
attend the performance. On my way met
the Rev. Mr.. Jones, q lately arrived curate.
He was tall, thin man, of most austere
principles, despising oil worldly amusa-
ments, aud preaching against them on all
possible occasions; yet, ~ithal, he was
most conscientious, charitable, and pious
When saw him tried to avoid him, for to
say the truth was some what ashamed at
his knowing was going to pass the evening
at the circus. He recognized me, however,
and crossed over the road to speak to me-
fon will be surprised" said he. after
our first inquiries as to each others health
we're over, "to hear that am going to
spend the evening at the circus"
81 am delighted to hear it," replied,
"for shall have q companion then; / am
going there myself"
Rut r faar - coii ha tia 49, MI hoth
bound on the same errand. My purpose is
to address the audience between the acts, as
believe they call them, on the sin Of vast
ing their time on follies Of the kind"
8. trust, Jones, you will do nothing of
the sort. You will make yourself greatly
disliked if you do; and that would be pity,
rs you are really very good fellow"
= Indeed" said he. ~ shall keep to my
determination. believe have duty to
perform, and will 70 through with it,"
| was much annoyed when he told me 20,
for really liked him; but, finding be was
determined. said nothing more on the SUBJ
ject. resolving 10 sit beside him during the
performance, and to restrain him as much
as could
We arrived At the paying place, and took
our seats exactly opposite the performers
entrance. In short time the place was
completely filled, aud the performance COM
menced. During the first two acts Of horse
manship no clown appeared: but in the
third, "The Flower girl," Tommy entered
the ring. He announced himself by calling
out, In the clowns hoarse voice, Here We
are; how are your" The effect Of the wig
vas wonderful. For in moment all were
silent, aud then the laughter began: and
su;h laughter! never before Witnessed
anything like it.
When it had somewhat subsidized, Tommy
advanced to tho master of the ring, who
vas 90 splendidly dressed that it almost
dazzled me to look at him, and said, How
is your mother?" The laughter again rose
as loudly as before, and was even longer in
subsiding.
Never did Tommy achieve greater sue
cess than on that evening. Everything he
said told. no matter how stupid it might be.
When the Wild Huntsman Of the Wood
started off, Tommy requested him to give
his love TO the cook, and tho mirth was so
boisterous it was some time before the wild
huntsman could hear the music.
A policeman, with a remarkably stolid
countenance, was standing at the door.
Tommy advanced towards him, and shaking
him by the hand, inquired aHcctionatcly
after the health of his inspector. The pc
liceman was instantly 80 overcome with
laughter, that he was obliged to seat him.
self on a bench to recover himself. Mirth
that evening was perfectly contagious; and
even my reverend friend, on more than one
occasion, struggled hard to conceal . smile.
h. 4