Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-15

In 1852 Doesticks and ARENAS Ward
were in Washington. The latter had one
practical joke which he delighted TO per.
petrate on every occasion. That joke was
to rush up behind some old fellow, slap
him on the back, grasp him by the hand,
and greet him with the most cordial
How are you, George and then apollo.
give to the surprised man by saying he
tssk him for an old friend, George Nun
son.
Well, one night in 1862 it was my for
tune 10 90 into Hammock's old saloon,
opposite the Treasury Department, in
Washington, with Doesticks and ARENAS.
In the back end of the saloon. up five or
six stairs, sat an old Maryland farmer.
just the kind of an honest, unsuspecting.
looking old fellow as ARENAS always
liked TO strike for his recognition joke.
Doesticks saw the old farmer, and, telling
me TO stay in the front part of the saloon
with Artemas, out of sight of the old man,
he went back himself to the farmer and
perpetrated ARENAS old joke on him.
Rushing up to the old countryman, slap
ping him on the back and grasping him
by the hand, he sung out:
How are you, George, old fellow
age--how've you been? how's the farm :
how's--"
lyon have the advantage OF me,
stranger" interrupted the man in surprise.
"Ol beg pardon, SIR exclaimed Doe.
ten thousand pardons, sir. took you
for my old friend, George Munson, but
10y
AL right, sir-mistakes will happen ;
we're all liable TO mistakes" says the
stranger, and then Doesticks came back
nd Joined us, while the old farmer went
on eating. ARENAS was too busy to notice
what Doesticks had done, and "a z. Il.
Philander came back he sauntered up to
ARENAS and said
u say, ARENAS d'you see that old farm
or over there 2"
What the old man eating pumpkin pic
with his knifey'
Yes" said Doesticks, bowling.
well, he's good man TO come your
recognition joke on; try ii, ARENAS"
/" All right, Mort, " says Artemas. You
fellows stan here an I'll show you fun.
I'll puzzle that oil farmer till lac don't
know pun kin pie from tripe."
Then ARENAS walked along up the steps
toward him As lie got alongside OF the
old farmer he gave lurch and grasped
his hand violently with a.
How are you, Georgel God bless your
old bald head How's Sarah'n the chill
dreny How's -"
Now, look here" shouted the farmer,
as he tipped over the table In his effort 10
get up quick, " that's twice you've blum.
dered round here Now, you git" and
he caught poor ARENAS by the coaLcoliar
and shook his fist in his face
. beg pardon, sir, s'ammered Arte:
mas. II took you for my old friend
George Mun---"
Yes, an that's twice you've took me
for your old friend George Munson, you
stupid idiot, you! D'you take me for a
fool--do your Oh! ! could lick the eyes
out Of you--you--you -" and the old
farmer swayed his big fist in the air, but
ARENAS slid down and out, !" and came
back to Doesticks all out Of breath.
- tried ii, Mort" pulled ARENAS be-
tween his breath, /" observation-disclosures
old--fool got mad He didn't--know
enough TO take--the joke-and---"
Why, Charley, you ought TO have
known better" said Doesticks, "whcn I'D
just come that same joke on the old man
myself You can't 'spect MAJ To stand
that joke over twice in ten minutes, can
your
ARENAS never replied, but went straight
down 10 Wizards Hotel and went To bed.
IN. Y. Cor. Chicago Inter. Ocean.