The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-03-08
The Mysterious Joker.

NJ VI LUNG since the writer was sit
IN ting, one evening, in country
store not far from Chicago There was
the usual crowd of town and country
folks loafng around, sitting on nail kegs,
and on the counter, smoking villainous
tobacco, and expectorating in every di-
rectiOn.
And then there entered sedate indi-
vidual, with a countenance ministerial in
its gravity, and with short coat in
which were side pockets He leaned
over the counter, called for some article,
and gave his whole soul to its examina-
ton.
Then entered another person also a
stranger. lie was young sprightly and
jolly. His countenance was brimming
with humor. He greeted the crowd with
a jolly " How are you, hosses ?' in way
that, at once plepossessed every haw-
buck in his favor.
He was restless as monkey. First
he begged quid. Then he took the
plug and jack-knife and tossed them over
and under, catching and throwing them
with one hand. Then he made II smutty
remark or two and, by this time, he was
the observed Of all the crowd.
Except one The ministerial gentleman
who was leaning over the counter gave no
sign. He never once looked around.
The jolly youth caught sight of the
grave man, and gazed at him with a
quizzical expression. Then he picked up
a piece Of paper, in q pantomine, pinned
it on the tail of the grave mans coat.
Whereat, there was much expressed
horse-laughing in the crowd
And now the young joker spied a
little piece of white string hanging from
the pocket Of the other. Approaching
him on tip-toe, with many wink to the
rustics, he took hold Of the string and
carefully drew it forth. With the same
little parcel wrapped in twine.
Swiftly the joker unwound the twine
and a covering of white paper Inside
was common business card folded
together through the middle. Within it
laid three-cent stamp. This the joker
with a grin, handed to by-stander, then
quickly refolded the little parcel, and
replaced it in the others pocket.
And now the joke was getting 50 broad
and funny that many of the HILARIOUS
spectators were tickled nigh into convul-
sions. Finally attracted by the laughter
the grave man looked around. He was
confused. lie found himself the centre
of all eyes He thrust his hands behind
him. He glanced over his person.
Then he put his hands in his pockets,
and, in withdrawing them, there came
out-quite accidentally Of course-the
little parcel. it fell to the floor. He
stopped and pick it up
What you got done up so we'll ?" in
quired the joker with smile at his grin
Ling auditory.
80, nothing" answered Gravity, con-
fusedly.
Nothing? A heap of pains you take
to wrap up nothing"
"Well, then, if you must know, have
got "a three-cent silver piece in there,
which l wrapped up for my little boy"
A three-cent piece! Haw haw
haw" said the joker, and " Haw! haw
haw" !" said the crowd.
"Yes, sir, three-cent piece, upon my
honor" and he was about to put it back
in his pocket.
Hold on, mister" said the other,
"you can't play that, you know! I'll
jist bet my life, you haint got any three
cent piece in that parcel"
Young man, you're fool, and I'll
just teach you a lesson, [ don't bet as a
general thing, but I'll bet you 500 that
there is three-cent piece in that pa
per-"
"I'm your man" said the joker. He
pulled out his wallet and counted out
SIS. "See here" said he, "I've only
got SIS; I'll just bet you that"
An hundred dollars, Or nothing"
said the other, as he laid out five $40
bills on the counter
The joker was nonplussed. Then a
bright idea struck him. lie turned to
the crowd. "Say, boys, let's pool in and
make up hundred, and then divide