Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-11-21
THE TABLES TURNED.

81 am not sure that it rebounds much
to our credit will tell it, however, as
warning"
So our guest answered an inquiry
made by young, and, t must be con
fessed, somewhat conceited member of
the little party gathered together one
winter evening around our dining
table.
"Hang the credit p that person re-
piled. He was rather uplifted, for he
thought he had that evening won dis
tinction in the sight of lovely pair of
eyes then wasting their sweetness i'll
the draWing-room. The owner of the
lovely eyes had been a widow for some
years; she was rich, elegant and clever.
There was a humorous wrinkling about
the mouth of our middle-aged guest as
he answered.:
"Hang the credit So [ can say now
with a light heart Then the credit
was of more importance TO me. How
ever, you shall judge. You have heard"
he went on, turning to the gentleman
who headed the table, that in the early
days of our settlement, we were wild
lot. Large fortunes had been made by
the first settlers: and it got abroad at
home that gold was to be had simply
for the asking. Adventurer poured in.
The native war brought in adventures
of another kind-men whose lives had
been played out in the old country, and
who were ready for any kind of devil
try. Oh | can assure you there was at
times singular collection in the set
Element: [ could tell you one or two
tales that would surprise you. This,
however" turning to the person whose
remark had provoked his tale, sis not
of so desperate a character"
You must understand that at the
time of which speak-things are much
changed now-we had neither library
nor theater, nor concert room, and were
driven now and then to queer devices
for killing time. Some few of us took
up with practical jests, but after a time
even these palled. Every one in our
community became so wide-awake that
the most artfuIy-constructed scheme
broke down. If it did succeed, on the
other hand, the vengeance taken was so
dire rs to be alarming We were sorely
in need of a patient butt.
1t happened that at this time Young
solicitor whom fortune had not favored
ut home, taking it into his head that
competition was Staying his talent, de-
termined to try his fortune among us.
He was certain-and he was not far
W." s-that In such a community
,ses for litigation would abound.
He was slightly acquainted with one
~ INV friends anH ITrpta 10 him of (,
intention, asking him at the same time
to be so kind as-in the poor fellows
own words-'just to let people know,
you know, that am coming"
The letter was shown about, and that
same evening my friend and !, with two
or three others whom we had let into
our secret, went out together, armed
with a large piece of chalk. In the
morning there was much questioning
in the community, for on every bit of
boarding, every blank wall and gate was
posted up in gigantic letters-'He is
coming"
Again and again were the notices ex-
plunged by indignant househoideEs.
Again and again were they imposingly
reproduced. The police were set on the
WATCH we either brow-beat or bribed
them. People began to think that there
was something mysterious in the bust
ness. We, of course, kept our own
counsel, and at last, one fine morning, a
second advertisement appeared. 1t was
to this effect: "He has come"
In the interval our friend had heard
again. II shall arrive by steamship
Benares," our solicitor wrote 81 hope
you have let people know" We had let
people know to some purpose. 1t be
gan to be rumored abroad that Joke
was on foot, and the whole community
flocl>ed to the landing place.
To preserve the delusion. we had
paved the jetty with scarlet cloth, and
decorated it with flowers. As soon as
the steamer dropped anchor, my friend
and | put off in small boat to receive
and bring to shore our distinguished
guest.
He was small, delicate looking man
with face as refined as that of a wo-
man. / had slight prickings of COM
junction when l met him. He was so
delightfully."- frank and confding.
Il say" he said to his friend, as we
neared the decorated landing place, do
they expect any swell?a
''They expect you, my dear fellow"
was the reply. 81 let people know, you
know" sssl
You must be jolly, hospitable set.
But what am | to say to them all?"
No necessity to say anything. Just
bow as you pass through"
Oh! | scarcely like"
You must, my dear follow, you
must. Not to acknowledge this bril-
liant reception would stamp you at
once 8 a churl."
The young fellows color rose. He
was as shy and sensitive as girl, but
rather than appear ungrateful he would