Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-10-08
HUGE JOKE COMMITTED.


Our columns during the past few weeks
hive piven a brief history of several hapless
street loundlings, but nave told the story Oh
none attached with more thrilling interest
than the following
Early Monday morning, as the sable, m
duslri0us porter, who is entrusted WIN tne
daily duty Of sweeping out and pntlns 70
rights the various offices in Hamilton build'
ing on Sixth and Main streets, was golng
his usual rounds, he came to the once occu-
pied by Perrin, Nicholson & 90, newspaMpel M
advertising agents. WIN MS Drooln d. sne
position OF "trail arms" lie was about open
ing tie door. .....,,
To IA passing observer just at that moment
the actions OF the freedman" must nave
been most extraordinary. With wllu yen
and sudden leap that carried him some us
tance backward, and invnlunialily. lhrew
the broom in bis hands into the posl.lon ol
"charge," !" the boy stood as II petrlheu;
But moment before that darky had Geen
happy. Under the lively enthusiasms cnat
acieiisiic of his race, the spacious buiiulng
was yet echoing with his merry whistle,
| loud adoption from the last circus, or per-
haps the latest minstrel imitation, one iool
persisling occasionally in measuring Inc
lime by describing an imaginary circle
around the other, as thoughts OF the modern
t'cssence of oil Varginny" foated through
his mind. While thus engaged his eyes,
rolling n suitable accompaniment to every
motion, had chanced to alight upon an op-
iect that rapidly changed naturally darS
complexion successfully 10 q dusky pale,
creamy brown, and delicate mouse-coloI-
an object that made complete wreck OF his
noisy felicity and added the last measure to
his hopeless misery.
The object OF all this concern was not an
Internal machine, as might have been sup
posed from his attitude of frozen. stony nor
ror, or from the tender manner with which
he afterwards handled it. 1t was only
neat, compact little baby, covered with long
flowing drapery, which looked IKE u might
have concealed plenty of mischief, but,
viewed naturally, more than strongly sug-
gested baby.
The eolored discovereT of this terrestrial
atom, having been only recently married,
and, therefore, not being man OF extensive
experience in handling such bundles was
considerably puzzled as to whether he
should take hold of it then or not. Alter div,
ing his fingers into and disturbing MS wool
for few seconds, he concluded his dilemma
/, by a hasty retreat in search of help and
counsel. BY this time the occupants OF the
various offices in the building began to ar
rive, and in short time a group OF highly
amused spectators were laughingy gathered
around the innocent little object that had oc
! casioned so much excitement, and which
some more practical individual had gently
raised from the floor. Not a crY,not squall
not solitary crow was heard, but only was
seen the cold, calm, impassiye features, ant
still, pulseless body, dressed IN the loose
flowing style of the period, of cunning
darling little china doll baby.
The perpetrators of this heartlcss JOKE
have not been discovered. The innocen
= little waif found plenty of sympathizing, !
rather timid, friends, and was finally lei
with one of them for safe keeping. Louis
Uille Courier journal.