The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-12-12


time of bis death about 90 years old
His gentle manner and quick repartet
rendered him much coveted by dinner
givers, where his keen wit sparkled
brighter than the wine that graced the
festal board. Having keen apprecia.
ton of the humorous, he was continual.
| ly playing jokes. Among the many
stories related of him is ore concerning
a recent visit of his to Boston. When
he reached that city, it was dark and
! stormy, so he took a cab to the Parker
House. On arriving at the hotel he re-
fused to pay, and got into q wrangle
with the cabby. Mr.. Heller walked in
TO the hotel, closely followed by the
hackmaD, who loudly demanded his
fare. The loud tones of the excited
Jehu attracted the attention of num-
Der of the guests, to whom Mr.. Heller
was known. Anticipating fun, they
formed circle around the twain, COM
pletely hedging them in. al tell you
I've paid you," said Mr.. Heller. =" No,
you haven't" angrily exclaimed the
cabman; "you can't play that dodge
on me. Give me my fare or I'll have
you arrested" '' tell you again, :"
said Mr.. Heller, "thst I've paid your
fare, and you have the money in your
hat" "No l haven't" said cabby,
positively, removing his hat and shak-
ing it. "Why, you dishonest rascal,
see thereI" and Mr.. Heller taking the
hat from the cabman, produced num-
Der of 50 bills in rapid succession, the
cabman meanwhile looking at him in
open-mouthed wonder. "And you have
not only the money in your hat, but
your hair is full of bills" and Heller
pulled them out. Cabby stood dumb
founded few minutes, when he cried,
" You must be the DEVIL" and rushed
wildly out of the hotel, but not before
Mr.. Heller had placed So note in his
pocket,
Another anecdote related of Heller is
that while travelling on Western rail
road he noticed an old countryman and
his wife. Stepping up to the old man
he said: 81 beg pardon, SIR" and
forthwith removed a live rabbit from
the mans breast pocket. The man was
speeches. with surprise, but his wife,
thoroughly frightened, began scream
ing and the whole car was in an uproar.
Mr.. Heller had TO disclose his identity
before order could be restored, and
when it was known that he was on :he
train, the passengers from the other |
cars passed him in solemn procession,
many remarking, as they passed, "He |
looks like any other man, don't he?''
A somewhat similar story told of Hell \
Ter is one in which his daughter PLAYED |
a prominent part. He was exhibiting
IN Western town, and among his |
was farmer and his wife. |
Their plainly indicated establishment
mad attracted Mr.. Heller's attention and |
Turing the performance of the second |
sight" trick Mr. Heller went to the
armer and apparently took from his
pocket 2 letter. Holding it up he said,
. What is thisP' "a letter." replied
Miss Heller, the countryman and his
wife attentively listening. evil you
cad itp" At this question the farmer
rot very red and began to fidget, while
MS wife strained forward to catch Miss
1eller's answer. cit reads, MY
Precious Darling.-Your failure to meet
ne yesterday caused me much disap-
but | suppose that old vixen
# a wife was the cause of it. Meet
ne -
That letter was never finished, for,
mid roars of laughter, the wife jump
d up excitedly, caught her HUSBAND by
he ear, and said, " John Henry, you
asty thing, come right home with me-"
IS the couple were leaving the house,
he woman was heard to mutter, 60 Call
ne vixen, will you; oh, just wait until
get you home, John Henry"
Mr.. Heller was very fond of showing
is skill in public conveyances, and
ew years ago, while playing his pranks
D horse-car, light-ingered gentle
nan relieved him of handsome gold
7atch, much to his disgust.