Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-09-27
THE TABLES TURNED.

81 am not sure that it rebounds
much to our credit | will tell it, how
ever, as a warming"
So our guest answered an inquiry
made by young and, it must be con-
fessed, somewhat conceited member of
the little party gathered together one
winter evening around our dining-table.
Hang the creditr that person re-
piled. He was rather uplifted, for he
thought he had that evening won dis
tinction in the sight of a lovely pair of
eyes, then wasting their sweetness in
the drawing-room. The owner of the
lovely eyes had been widow for some
years; she was rich, elegant and clever.
There was 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. However,
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, Adventures poured in.
The native war brought in adventurers
of another kind--men whose lives had
been played out in the old country, and
who were ready for any kind of devil
try. o. | can assure you there was
at times singular collection in the set
tlement. l could tell you one or two
tales that would surprise you. This,
however turning to the person whose
remark had provoked his tale is not
of so desperate character"
You must understand that at the
time of which | speak things are much
changed now-we had neither library,
nor theatre, 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 time even these palled. Every
one in our community became so wide
awake that the most artfully construct
ed scheme broke down. If it did sue
ceed, on the other hand, the vengeance
taken was so dire rs to be alarming.
We were sorely in need of patient
butt.
1t happened that, at this time, a
young solicitor whom fortune had not
favored at home, taking it into his
head that competition was shaving his
talent, determined to try his fortune
among us. He was certain-and he
was not far wrong that in such a COM
munity causes for litigation would
abound.
He was slightly acquainted with one
of my friends, and wrote to him of his
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 large pieces 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 householders.
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
there was something mysterious in the
business. 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. al shall arrive by steamship
Benares," our solicitor wrote; 81 hope
you have let people know" We had
let people know to some purpose. 1t
began to be rumored abroad that a Joke
was on foot, and the whole community
locked 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 a small boat TO receive
and bring to shore our distinguished
guest.
He was small, delicate-looking
man, with a face as refined as that of
a woman. l had slight prickings of
compunction when l met him. He
was so delightfully."- frank and cOnfiding.
81 say" he said TO his friend, as we
neared the decorated landing-place,
edo they expect any swellP"
''They expect you, my dear fellow"
was the reply. 81 let people know,
you know"
You must be jolly hospitabls set.
But what am TO say to them ALP"
mo necessity TO say anything. just
bow as you pass through"
30! scarcely like"
"You must, my dear fellow, you
must Not to acknowledge this bril-
liant reception would stamp you at
once as a churl."
The young fellows color rose. He
was as shy and sensitive as a girl, but
rather than appear ungrateful he would
have gone through any ordeal, and
Presently-ohI dear, can see IL now
he was stepping out on the scarlet cloth,