The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-04-23
THE APRIL FOOL.

Nothing is so much enioved, by some
men as a practical joke; and the great
er the annoyance they can occasion the
greater their delight. OF this class was
Mr.. Thomas Bunting, who resided i'm a
village few miles ont of New York.
Bunting kept store for the sale of al
most every article known in domestic
and agricultural life, from a number te n
needle up to hoc-harrow; and from a
mint stick up to bag of coffee. Con-
scquently he was pretty well acquaint-
cd with all the towns people, who were
likewise, pretty we'll acquainted W tn
him.
AS Bunting was constantly playine
of his pranks upon one and then an.
other, he only kept himself free from
enemies by his good temper and ability
TO soothe the parties he sometimes irri-
tated beyond the point of endurance.
The first of April was never allowed
to come and go without being well i'm
proved by the joke loving Thomas. II
a customer sent for pint of brandy on
that day, he would be very apt to get
four gills of vinegar; or, if pound OF
sugar, half pound of New Orleans
mixed with an equal weight of silver
sand. That was smart child who
could come into his store on the
occasion and leave it without being the
victim of some trick. So, from morn.
ing till night of the first of April, the
face of Thomas Bunting was on broad
grin. Full of inventions as to the ways
and means of playing off tricks upon
others, our merry friend was exceed.
ingly wide awake to any efforts at re.
taliation; and 1t generally happened
that most of those who sought to catch
him, got the laugh turned upon them.
selves.
Two years ago, as the first of Aprf
| approached, Bunting began to think OF
the sport awaiting him, and to cast his
eyes over the town to see who was the
most fitting subject fop good lest.
81 must make fool of somebody
said he to himself; "a first rate fool
Pm tired of mean child's play in this
business. Who shall it be? There's
Doctor Grimes. Suppose l send him to
sec the young Widow Gray? He't
like to make her visit exceedingly,
know. But the widow knows me O
old, and and will be sure TO suspect IN,
agency. l guess that won't do
Grimes is good subject; and I've 90
a spite against him. | must use hin
somehow. The Widow Gray would b,
first rate; bnt Pm little afraid tt
bring her in. The doctors as poor a
Jobs turkey, and would be off to yisi
her on a run. Let me see? What shal
| do? I've got it! I'll send him Il
New York ON a FOOLS errandW
And Bunting snapped his thumb an(
finger in childish delight.
Doctor Grimes, to whom our Joke
referred, had been in the village onl,
about year, and, in that time, hac
succeeded in making but a small prac
tice. Not that he was wanting in abil
ity; but he lacked address. In person
he was rather awkward; and in man
ners far from prepossessing. Moreover
he was poor, and not able in conse
quence, TO make very good appear
lance.
We would not like TO say that, i'm SO
Letting Doctor Grimes as the subject O
his best joke for the first of April
bunting acted on the principal of a Ger
tain worthy, who said of another
"kick him; he's no friendsy'
But we rather incline to the opinion
hat some such feeling was in the hear
of the joker.
The first of April came. Docto
Grimes. after eating his breakfast, sa
down in his Office to await expecte,
norning calls for consultation, or to re
quest his attendance on some sufferin
iavalid. But no such calls were made
The doctor sighed, under the pressur
"f disappointment, as he glanced at tn
lime piece on the mantel, the hands G
which pointed TO the figure ten.
"a poor prospect here" he murmure
dcspondingly. "Ah, ifthere were non
lo care for the world but myself,
would be contented on bread and W,
'ir while making my way in the conf
{ ence of people. But others are suflel
X while | wait for practice. VIII.
lnders my progress? l undersian
+ ~ profession. In not single instane
a ct, have Gsiled 10 give relief whe
: allied 10 the bed OF sickness. All me
feel wretched."
2, just then, the letter carrier of Il