The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-11-29
THE TABLES TURNED.
CssseIl's Magazine.

LII l. lADIEN L u Mn LII.
Cssselt's Magazine.
II am not sure that it rebounds much
to our credit. 1 will tell it. however, az
warning"
So our guest answered an inquiry
made by young and, it must be con.
fessed, somewhat conceited member oil
the little party gathered together one
winter evening around our dining table.
"Hang the creditp that person replied
He was rather uplifted, for he thought
he had that evening won distinction in
the sight of 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 wa
rich, elegant and clever. There was q
humorous wriIkling about the mouth of
our middle-sged guest, as he answered.
"Hans the credit" So | say now
with 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, 'sthat in the early dsys
OF our settlement we were a wild lot.
Large fortunes had been made by the
frst 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 adventures of
another kind-men whose lives had been
played out in the old country, and who
were ready for any kind of deveitry. Obi
j can assure you there was at times a
singular collection in the settlement.
could tell you one or two tales that would
surprise you. This, however Turning
to the person whose remark had pro
voked 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 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 time even
these palled. Every one in our CON-
most artfully constructed scheme broke
down. II it did succeed, on the other
hand, the vegeance taken who SO
dire a. to be alarming. We were serely
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 Staying his talent, de-
termined to try hi- fortune among us. |
He was oertaAn-an1 he was not far |
wrong that in such community 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 80 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
szme evening my friend and l, 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 CONS
munity, 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 that there
was something mysterious in the busi-
mess. We, of course, kept our own
counsel, and at last one fine morning
second advertisement appeared. 1t was
TO this effect" He has come"
in the interval eur friend had heard
again. :" shall arrive by steamship
Benares," our solicitor wrote. "I hope
you have let people know" We had let
people know to some perEose. It began
TO be rumored abroad that joke was on
foot, and the whole community fscked
to the landing-place.
To preserve the delusion we had passed
city with scarlet cloth, and decorated the
WIN HUWtfo. as cOOH dS Juc etcdLuci
dropped anchor, my friend and put of
In small boat to receive snd bring to
shore our distinguished guest.
He was small, delicate looking man,
with face as refined as that of woman.
had slight pickings of compunction
when met him. He was 30 delightfully."-
frank and csnfiding. at say" he said
to his friend, as we neared the decorated
laDding-place, "de they expect any
swsll7'
They expect you, my dear fellow, =
wss the reply. "I let people know, you
know
rYou must be jolly hospitable set.
Bit what ana / to say to them all7"
mo necessity to say anything. just
bow as you pass through"
Obi I scarcely like"
You must, my dear fellow, you must,
Not to acknowledge this brilliant recep.
tion would stamp you at once as 8
cllnrlp'