The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-12-14
THE TABLES TURNED.

/ am not sure that it rebounds much
to our credit. | will tell it, however, as
q warning.
80 our guest answered an inquiry
made by young aud, il must be CON
fessed, somewhat conceited member of
the little party gathered together one
winter evening around our dinner-table
Hang the credit! 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 in the
drawing The owner o. the lovely
eyes had beeen a widow for some wears;
she was rich, elegant and clever. There
was a humorous wrinklilg about the
mouth of our middleaged guest, as he
answered:
Hang the credit! So | can say now
with light heart Then the credit was
OF more importance t. me. However,
you shall jadge. You have heard, he
went on, turning to the gentleman who
headed the table, that in the early
days OF our settlement we were a wild
lot. Large fortunes had been made by
the first settlers, and It got abroad at
home that gold was to be bad simply for
the asking. Adventures poured 10.
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 a singular collection in the settle
ment. | could tell you one or two tales
that would surprise you. This how
eyer,-turning to the person whose re-
mark 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 tests but, after a time,
even these palled. Every one in our
community became 50 wideawake that
the most artfully- conducted scheme
broke down. If it did succeed, on the
other hand the vengeance taken was so
dire as to be alarming. We were sorely
in need of patent 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 bis talent,
determined to try his fortune among us.
He was certain-and he was not far
wrCng-that in such a 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 50 kind as-in the poor fellows own
words" just to let the 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 let into our
secret, went out together, armed with
large pieces of chalk. In the morning
there was much questioning in the COM
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
expunged by indignant householders.
Again and again were they imposingly
reproduced. The police were set on the
watch; We either browbeat or bribed
them People began to think that there
was something mysterious in the bust
ness. We, of course, kept ourown counsel,
and, at last, one fine morning, a second
effect " He has come"
In the interval our friend had heard
again. @ shall arrive by steamship
Benares, our solicitor wrote. 81 hope
you will let the people know" We had
letthe people know to some purpose. 1t
began to be rumored abroad that a Joke
was on foot, and the whole community
hocked to the landing place.
To preserve the delusion we had paved
the jetty with scarlet cloth, and decor
ated it with flowers. As soon as the steam
er dropped anchor, my friend and | put
oil in small boat to receive and bring
to shore our distinguished guest.
He was a small, delicate looking man,
with 4 face a refined as that of wo-
man. | had slight prlckings of COM
Function when | met him. He was so
delightfully."- frank and confiding. 81
say" he said to his friend, as we neared
the decorated landing-place, do they
expect any swell?'
''They expect you, my dear fellow"
was the reply. | let people know, you
know
you must be a 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 fellow, you
must. Not to acknowledge this brilliant
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 pre-
sently-oh, dear! I can see it now-he
was stepping out on the scarlet cloth and
bowling graciously to his right hand and
his left.
No need for us to wink and nod behind
his back. 1t was understood that butt
was being brought into the community.
The bows were gravely returned and
as, like an honorable body-guard, we
formed round the newcomer to escort
him to his hotel, the crowd that had