Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-06
JOKER DISCOUNTED.
From the Detroit Post,


On Howard street resides young
lady who possesses the highest appre-
citation Of practical joke, and exer-
cises her proclivity at every opport11nl-
ty. She has brother, who is sales
man in a dry goods store, and him she
particularly delights to tease, and hnds
plenty Of opportunities. In fact this
propensity of their children for the
son always retaliates) was long source
of deep anxiety to the parents, for fear
it would lead to partial estrangement,
but the contrary proved the case, and
of late the old folks have enjoyed the
jokes of the young folks heartily. All
this, however, is now thing OF the
past, the reformation being brought
about in a manner that will amuse the
father and mother to the end OF their
days.
Now, be it known that the young lady
is extremely prepossessing in appear
ance, and has most correct-mlnded
beau. To him the lady's gayety,
amounting at times almost to thought
lessness, has been subject of deep
ulcuIOdOlUH, tiIIu udS, UOuDClCo0, AOS
delayed the purchase of ring. The
sequel will show that the course OF
true love at last runs smoothly and IN
pleasant places.
One day the brother presented his
tormenting sister with most intelh-
gent and amusing member of the par
rot family-a facetious bird that would
remind one of the fact that "Polly
wants a cracker" every ten minutes IN
the day, and would conclude the remark
with a squat that would make a ner-
vous man dream Of Indians for week
thereafter. To educate this bird In a
superior manner now became the chief
aim Of the lady, and, removing him to
her chamber, she set about the task
with so much earnestness that Polly
soon learned to utter many words with
wonderful distinctness. What it was
that suggested to the educator that the
bird might be made useful in annoying
her brother is not known, but such a
thought occurred to her one day, and
she set about the plot with great avidi-
ty. Downing her brothers silk hat,
she kept repeating the words, "Oh, what
SWELL" until a plug hat was sure to
call forth that remark from Polly.
This accomplished, the cage contain
ing the bird was carried down to the
parlor one evening whilst the brother
was preparing to 60 out, and hung in a
front window. Soon the well-dressed
youth emerged from the front door ar
rayed in his other suit of clothes, and
no sooner had he reached the sidewalk
than the parrots too distinct voice
shouted out, "Oh, what SWELL" and
as he turned and beckoned with his
cane for the bird to come out and fight,
peal of laughter from the mischiev-
Gus sister fairly drowned the words of
the bird. The brother passed around
the corner out of sight and the sister
ran into the back parlor to tell her pa
rents what capital joke she had play
ed on VIII.
While she was laughing at the re-
membrance Of his flushed face as the
obnoxious words fell upon his ear, she
heard familiar footstep on the walk
outside, at which she blushed, and
started to run to the door to admit the
new conner. At that instant Polly
shouted, "Oh, what a SWELL" and fol-
lowed up the remark with a diabolical
peal of laughter. For a moment the
practical joker was paralyzed. Then,
rushing to throw open the door to ex-
plain matters, she saw familiar form
walking hastily, determinedly away,
nor did he stop at her little supplica-
ting call. 1t took week to set things
right again, but a new diamond ring
now encircles one of the lady's dainty
fingers, and she has foresworn practical
jokes. Polly, however, is kept in the
family. but her mission is to serve as a
reminder to her mistress, by OCCASION
ally remarking to a plug-hat, "Oh,
what swell!