The Placer herald., 1872-09-07
CURING A JOkEA;.
BY AUSTIN c. BURDICK.

| uWell Il Hail Idlutu todHl l. at
least, so shall call him-for he is a good
man now, and might not like to have the evil
deeds of his youth made known among stran-
gers. Sam was an inveterate .joker-what
is denominated a ''practical joker, and
though be never meant any real harm, yet
he often caused much mischief by his pranks.
On one occasion, when he had gone out at
night enveoped in a white sheet to frighten
some girls, he started to the roadside at the
approach of chaise and frightened the borse
so that the chaise was smashed up, and one
of The occupants severely injured.
Sam had been talked with, and argued
with, but to no purpose. He could not be
made to see the wickedness of bis pranks.
Sometimes he would fasten lines across the
sidewalk and thus trip up pedestrians; he
would ring up folks in the night and ask
them if they had plenty of bedding. Once
he called the doctor out at midnight to come
and attend a man who had very bad fits.
The good old doctor arose and followed Sam
till they came to Adam Ships little domicil,
and here the joker callel up the bov-leeged
little tailor, and the moment Snip poked his
head out of the window, Sam cried: "There,
DOCTOR is man who makes the acorst ITS
you ever saw and with this he ran away,
and left the doctor and tailor to settle the
matter. This was serious business in one
sense, but it set the whole town in laugh,
and Sam was delighted.
But Sans last "practical joke was near
at hand. At the ed &c of the village lived II
man named Jerry Smith. lie was a stone
worker by trade, and as strong as an OK
One evening Jerrys wife had been to see a
neighbor, aud in returning she had to pass
over place where the road was built along
upon a sort of morass, with willow trees upon
each side. When she entered her house she
was pale and trembling, and sank into Il
chair almost out of breath.
"What's the matter?" asked her hus-
band
"Tve been frightened, gasped the woman
as soon as she could command her speech.
"But who? Where ?"
"Out by the willow trees. An OK, with
great horns and fiery eyes, came out at us
walking on his hind legs!"
"By thunder, it's Sam Peabody!' ex-
claimed Jerry "IIes killed an OK this
morning. "
81 knew it was Sam as soon as | had
time to think, " returned the wife, "for his
voice was plain; but was SO frightened at
first that like to have tainted.
Jerry was angry. 1t did not suit his
fancy to see defenceless womel, thus treated.
! He took his hat at once and went over TO a
small house on the opposite side of the street
where lived his partner in business, another
stout, iron-corded man named George Tyler.
"Look here, Tyler, cried Jerry, "Sam
Peabody is out in the willows, risged up IN
his OK skin, frightening poor women. Come
with me- and ven punish him.
Tyler hesitated not moment but taking
| his hat bc'followed jerry over to the other
house. In The first Jerry took tircboard,
and with some marking paint he painted out
a flaming pacard, with letters large and dis
met. Then he got some of his wite's dresses
and bade Tyler put one Of them OH 'For,
said he, eff he sees two men coming he may
! run.
The dresses were thrown on after fashion
and pinned to the other clothing, and then
the men douneG each one a bonnet. They
then procured a lot of stout cord, and taking
he freboard they sailed forth. AS they
approached the willows, they began to giggle
and litter lie squeaking tones, and ere long
the fearful nondescript made its appearance.
With IA low, deep believing it walked into
the road, and stood directly in front of the
two pedestoians.
.Oo-oo-oo-oo," beloved Sam.
"Mercyv' screamed Jerry.
"An-ano-oO-oo!'
"Save me.' squeaked Tyler.
The OK hide approached another step and
Jerry leaped forward and seized it, and on
the next moment Tyler was by his side.
"Now, Mr. Peabody, | reckon you re
safe," uttered Jerry, giving him grippe like
vice.
"Dont-don't!" cried Sam.
"Don't what 7"
"Don't hurt mel"
"We won't hurt you if you keep quiet,
but if you make any resistance you run the
risk of getting yonr head broken"
Sam knew that it was Jerry Smiths wife
whom he had frightened, and he knew that
Jerry could handle him as a child. lie beg
ged and prayed but to no purpose. The
two stone cutters backed him up against one
of the willows, and proceeded to bind hm to
the trunk of the tree. They lashed his hands
behind him, then lashed his ankles ioee her
then they bound him to the tree at the sbo"i-
ders waist. knees and feet, and they did it
securely TOO. After this they took the fire
board and placed it against the tree above
his head, securing it by nails which they had
brought for that purpose.
"Mercy!' shrieked Sam, "you aren't
going to leave me here =
3 eyes. sr," answered Jerry. "You have
had your share of joking long enough, and
now we'll have ours. | would rather had
YOU tie my wife as you are tied than to have
had her frightened as you came near fright
o,,;rx hor Mind vou. Sam. we only mean