River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-10-17
THE TABLES TURNED.

81 am not sure that it rebounds much to
orr credit win tell it, however, as warn
ing.
| SO our guest answered an inquiry made by
a Young and, it must be confessed, somewhat
eonceited member Of the little party gathered
together one winter evening around our din
ng-table,
Hang the creditn that person replied.
tie was rather uplifted, for he thought he had
that evening won distinction in the sight of a
lovely pair of eyes, then wasting their sweet
ness in 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 wrinkle about the mouth of our
middle-aged guest, as he answered.
"Hang the credit SO can saylow with
light heart Then the credit was gilmore i'm
portance 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 ihst set
tiers; and it got abroad at home gold was to
be had simply for the asking. Adventures
poured in The native war brought in adYen-
turers of another kind-men whose lives had
been PLAYED ont in the old country, and who
were ready for any KIND Of deYeltrY. o. /
can assure you there was at times sin
gular collection in the settlement. could tell
you one or two tales that would surprise you.
This, however"-turuing TO the person whose
remark had provoked his tale-"is not of so
desperate d character"
You must understand that at the time OF
which speak things are much changed now
we had neither library, nor theatre, nor con
cert room, and were driven now and then to
aneer devices for killing time. Some few of
us took up with practical jests, but after a
time these palled. Every one in our commu-
nifty became so wide awake that the most art
fully constructed scheme broke down. If it
did succeed, on the other hand, the yengence
taken was so dire as to be alarming. We
were sorey in need of patient putt.
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, determined to try his
fortune among us. He was certan-and he
causes for litigation would abound.
He was slightly acquainted with one of my
friends, and wrote to him of his intentions,
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 ques-
tioning in the community, for on every hit OF
boarding. every blank wall and gate, was post
ed up in gigantic letters, "He is coming"
Again and again were the notices eXpunged
by Indignant householders Again and again
were they imposingly reproduced. The police
were set on the watch; we either brow-beat
or brbed them. People began to think there
was something mysterious in the business
We of course kept our own counsel, and ut
last one fine morning a second advertisement
appeared. 1t was TO this effect; HE has
come"
In the interval our friend had heard again.
~ shall arrive by steamship Benares," our so
licitor wrote; Il hope you have let people
know" We had let people know to some
purpose. 1t began to be rumored abroad that
Joke was on foot and the whole community
fiocked to the landing place.
To preserve the deusion, we Lad paved the
iettv with scarlet cloth, aud decorated it with
flowers As soon as the steamer dropped
anchor, my friend and / put off in a small
boat to receive and bring 10 shore our dis
tinguished guest
He was a small delicate-looking man, with
face as refined as that Of a woman. had
slight prickings of compunction when
met him. He was so delightfully."- frank and
cbniinding. II say he said 70 his friend, as
We neared the decorated landing place, do
they expect any swellF'
''Fhey expect you, my dear fellow" was the
reply a let people know, you know"
''You must be jolly hospitable set. But
what am tc say them allg'
mo necessity OF saying anything. just
bow as you pass through"
90 | scarcely Like
you must my dear fellow, you mnst. Not
to acknowledge this brilliant reception would
stamp you at once as churln
The Young fellows color rose. He was as
shy aud sensitive as girl. but rather than
appear ungrateful he would have gone
through any ordeal and presently-ohl dear,
can see it now-he was stepping out on the
scarlet cloth, and bowling graciously to his
right hand and his lett.
No need for us to wink and nod behind his
back Il was understood that a butt was
| being brought into the community. The bows
/ were gravely returned; and as, like an honor
| ably body-guard we formed round the new
! conner to escort him to his hotel. the crowd
that had gathered to receive him fell into
procession behind US.
1t was the cold season, aud we called ON him
| the next morning to take him for ride. he
/ was full OF his pleasant reception, and anxious
/ to become personally acquainted with those
/ who had so interested themselves in him.
80! You'll SNOW them soon enough, my
! friend said shouldn't wouder if you find
when you go back, that half the community
Il has been calling on you.n And sure enough,
when we returned. there was his table heaped
/ high with visiting cards. His eyes glfstened.
| srve heard that people abroad were hos
pitable,u he said, sbut, upon my word, this
kind Of thing didn't expect
/ Ny friend glanced over the heap Of cards,
~Ahn he said, ''the most influential names.
/ They don't often call on newcomers. ! sup
rose Won impressed them favorably yesterday.
/ Sharp set of fellows, tool You bad better lose
no time in returning their eiyility."
II viii make my return calls this afternoon"
/ ne said warmly "Can you give me an idea
/ OF the addresses ~
"No needn Everybody knows everybody
here You have only 70 ask. / wish could
/ accompany you, but, | shah be so busy this
/ afternoon"
$50 shall T. said l. shut we will look in
upon you later,
20. aud stay to dinner. dor replied orr
Young friend, and we readily agreed.
To one Of US, as it happened, the offer Of q
dinner was not a thing to be lightly treated.
We were not surprised when, al the proper
hour, we made our appearance, to see the