Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-11-20
gan to be rumored abroad that . Joke
was on foot, and the whole community
locked to the landing place.

decorated it with flowers. As soon as
the steamer dropped anchor, my friend
and l put off in small boat to receive
and bring to shore our distinguished
guest.
He was small, delicate looking man
with face as refined as that of a wo-
man. l had slight prickings of com
junction when l met him. He was so
delightfully."- frank and confiding.
Il say" he said to his friend, as we
neared the decorated landing place, do
they expect any swell?"
They expect you, my dear fellow"
know" w
You must be a jolly, hospitable set.
But what am l to say to them all?"
NO necessity to say anything. Just
bow as you pass through"
"Oh! Iscarcely like"
You must, my dear follow, you
must. Not to acknowledge this bril-
liant reception would stamp you at
once as churl"
The young fellows color rose. He
was as shy and sensitive as a girl; but
rather than appear ungrateful he would
haye gone through any ordeal, and
presently-oh! dear. 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 be-
hind MS back. 1t was understood that
butt was being brought into the COM
munity. The bows were gravely re-
turned; and as, like an honorable body
guard. we formed round the newcomer
to escort him to his hotel. the crowd
that had gathered to receive him fell
into procession behind us.
1t was the cold season, and we called
on him the next morning to take him
for ride. He was full of his pleasant
reception, and anxious to become per-
sonally acquainted with those who had
so interested themselves in him.
ooh! you'll know them soon enough"
my friend said. "Shouldn't wonder if
you find, when you 60 back, that half
the community has been calling on
YOU" And sure enough, when we re-
turned there was his table heaped high
with visiting cards. His eyes glis-
tened.
" I've heard that people abroad were
hospitable," he said, "but, upon my
word, this kind Of thing l didn't ex-
pect.'
My friend glanced over the heap of
cards on the table.
"Ah!' he said. "the most influential
names. They don't often call on new
corners. suppose you impressed them
favorably yesterday. Sharp set of fell
lows, too. You had better lose no time
in returning their civility."
" / will make my return call this
afternoon" he said warmly. "Can
you give me an idea of the addresses ?"
"No need. Everybody knows every
body here. You have only to ask. /
wish l could accompany you, but l
shall be busy this afternoon"
$50 shall l." said /, "but we will look
in upon you later"
"Oh! and stay to dinner, do" replied
our young friend, and we readily
agreed.
To one of us, as it happened, the Of
fer of dinner was not to be lightly
treated.
We were not surprised when, at the
proper hour, we made our appearance.
to see the newcomer look weary and
depressed. He frightened when he
saw us.
$50 kind of you to come,' he said.
And presently, "Either l must be
stupid at understanding directions, or
everybody does not know everybody in
your settlement. Such wild-goose
chase as have had this afternoon !"
"What % cried my friend, with we'll
assumed surprise, "you didn't find
them?" And his voice so clearly com.
mented. "You must be foolish fel-
low that the young mans color rose
81 must have another try" he said,
But was not this strange? l showed
one of the names to a member of your
police force. He directed me to the
road leading out of the settlement, and
l walked on for about an hour, expect
ing, of course, to reach some house.
All at once found myself at the ceme-
terry"
My friend laughed. "1hat man was
a wag; not doubt of it. However,
wait few days till you know the place
better"
AS you may have guessed, more than
half the cards, dropped by our orders
at the young mans door, bore the
names of men either dead or departed
But long time passed before he found
this out; he might never have found
it out at all, but for-however, l must
not anticipate.
To give in detail the practical jokes
we played on our newcomer would be
impossible. One l must tell you, for it
nearly had a tragic ending.
Two or three Of us had started with
him on shooting trip up the river. 1t
had pleased one of us. his first friends.