Middletown transcript., 1874-06-06
NO. 20.
A Good Joke.

The following. which will doubtless be.
recognized by some Of tho TRANscRlPr's
readers, though it happened several years
ago. first made its appearance in print
week before last in the Kent NeUs. It is
needless to say that it is mush more
amusing when Harry R. tells it himself.
Messrs. Editors knowing that yos
are fond of good joke venture to send
you one, showing how the credulity Of an
inexperienced youth may be imposed upon,
thereby pointing moral /" and perhaps.
adorning tale" will give it ss il
was told, vouehing for its trutbfulness.
Some few years ago two gentlemen then
residing near Middletown, Delaware, were
in attendance at court then in session at.
New Castle. The elder (Mr. r had
seen much of the world and bis wisdom
teeth cut by reason of constant contact
with it, and withal most irrepressibls
practical joker. The other. (Mr. K. ,
youth just stepping on the busy stage Of
life, without the remotest idea of the spares
and pitfalls in his way, but of very in
quiring turn of mind. This was his frst
visit inside the halls of Justice. Ofcourse
all was new and strange to him. In the
course of bis investigations he noticed
that the Judges by turns retired OCCASION
ally to room Immediately in the rear Of
where they sat. This excited his culi ios-
ity, and being desirous of gaining all tho
information possible, he inquired of his
friend Mr.. R. the cause of their doing so.
MIR. r., with the greatest gravity imagin-
able, replied they kept very fine liquors
in that room and they went out OCCASION
ally to take drink, SO that they might
bear the fltigues of the day, and that he
himself had often gone there to " smile"
Mr.. *. asked very eagerly if it was free
to every one. By no means, said Mr.. r..
but if you are desirous of testing the
quality Of the liquors can put you in the
way of doing so. Mr.. X. expressed his
extreme happiness, aud desire to 60 at
once.
There are certain forms to 20 through
with said Mr. r. In the first, you must
approach the Judge (Gilpin) and wisk at
him three times with both eyes, if that is
not successful, then take your thumb,
place 1t on your nose, extend your fingers
as far out as possible, moving them slow
ly, (giving him practical illustration at
the same time, and you will then be ad-
mitted at once
Our young friend proceeded forthwith.
presented himself before the Judge, and
winked three times The astonished
Judge demanded to know what he meant
by such conduct, whereupon our young
verdant proceeded to carry out the other
part of his instructions, placing his thumb
to his nose, waving his fingers slowly in
the most ludicrous manner. This was
too much for his Houer and he demanded
to know, in the most savage manner, what
he wanted and who sent him there He
told him his business, and that his friend,
Mr.. r., had sent him The Judge be-
gan to see light dawning, giving him a
short but severe lecture, telling him to 60
on about his business, and that if he and
Mr. r were not careful they would both
find themselves in Jail before night.
Our young friend retired, "a saddsr if
not wiser man. Judge Gilpin with
drew as soon as he conveniently could.
not to SMILE" but TO explode with
laughter. Our friend, Mr. r., had his
joke and was happy, and tells it with the
keenest zest till this day. VERlrAs.