Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-01-06
POKLNG Fun AT 'Elu.

Onc OF the leading citizens, who re
Gently returned from Philadelphia, tell.
a little story which proves the truth Of
the old adage that ''many true word
is spoken in jest" 1t appears that
some days since Governor Hartranft
Bob Mackey, Russell Erett, Senator
Rutan, Secretary Quay, and some hall
a dozen other prominent politicians
met in the city of Brothcrly Love-
The question ofbow the evening should
bc spent came up for discussion, and il
was suggested that the party should
visit Birch's Minstrels. This PROPOSE
ton was readily agreed to- and boy
was dispatched to buy tickets for the
distinguished party. When the mess
enger arrived at the box office the
number Of tickets asked for created
surprise, and in his curiosity the treas
urer asked who they were for. The
boy informed him that Governor Hart
ranft, Mr. Mackey, &C., had determined
to visit the theatre that evening. As
a matter Of course seats were reserved
for them in the very front row
The news of the intended visit of
this distinguished party was at once
communicated to the management, and
il was determined TO have some fun at
the expense of the leading politicians
of the State.
Promptly at eight o'clock the party
arrived and were taken TO their seats
by gcntlcmantly usher. The first
part Of the performance, consisting of
songs and jokes, was thoroughly en-
joyed by the gentlemen and the cur
tain having descended, was in few
minutes rung up for the second part.
As il rolled up and the stage came into
view an aged darkcy was seen seated
at desk with huge rattan in his
hand, and a collection of books before
him. Across the scene was the in
scription, "School for Boys In a
minute in came number of badly
clothed, dilapidated colored boys, who
took their seats on benches opposite
the old mans desk. Having raped
for order, the schoolmaster began to
call the roll. This he did in this wise
'John F. Hartranft, stand up" "Bob
Mackey, get up dar;' "Come ere,
Quay" "Errett, come to de front" and
so on until he had called all the names
of the gentlemen who were occupying
the seats in the front row. The audi
ence, which was crowded one, soon
found out where the joke came in, and
as they picked out one and another OF
the gentlemen whose names were be-
ing called, the applause became ex-
ceedingly uproarious.
When the names of all the distin-
guished visitors had been in this way
announced, there was still one person
left sitting ON the bench.
Said the schoclmaster-"Is John w.
Forney here ?"
Chorus of scholars-"Yes, sah.'
"Where is he?n
The pupils turned and pointed to the
colored individual still seated on the
bench.
"You, John W. Fomey, stan up"
"No, | won't"
"stan up directly and join yonr
class"
"No, | won't"
''If you don't get up and get into the
ring you'll never get cent as long ms
you live" 4. j.
The hit was taken in an instant BY
the audience, and cheers burst forth all
over the house. SO general was the
applause that the act had TO be re-
peated before the people would be sat
isfed. 1t is said the only persons in
the house who did not enjoy il were
the occupants of that frontrow ofseats.
Allegheny Mail. te