River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-06-24

OOH4 EtSSIudu iul "a II pUcli- bt new
York, is at the front once more. writes a
Washington correspondent of The BOs-
ton Traveller. An evening or two since
be came into Chamberlain 5 very late.
and found there the congenial group
of New Workers who made that hos
telry their headquarters after the tho
atres have closed. Campbell greeted
the crowd with characteristic elusive
ness and sank into a chair. He noti-
ced the gentlemen were not as hilar-
iOus as usual, and he inquired the rea-
son. Before his question could be an
swered he saw Larry Jones pacing up
down the room groaning with pain and
holding handkerchief up to his face.
''why. what's the matter, old man?'
exclaimed Campbell. Matter" growl-
ed Jerome .'matter?" he continued,
raising his voice until it reached a per-
feet howl II should say there was
something the matter. l have the
worst case of toothache | ever had in
my life, but it's going away now, 1 am
applying a novel remedy, but it's one
that never fails. got it from on old
nurse, and wouldn't take thousand
dollars for the information. What is
it? Oh, nothing, but a piece of coal
wrapped in a piece of handkerchief
and applied to the face. 1t works like
a charm just then someone called
Jerome out into the hall, and as he
was leaving the room he laid the
handkerchief and tho coal down on
the table.
Campbell examined it closely. and
then the discussion became quite gen
eTal as to the curative properties of the
mineral. Finally Johnny Chamber
lain. who was one Of the party re-
marked: Il say Campbell, here is a
good chance to play practical joke
on Larry. Surprising you take out
that piece of coal and substitute a
stone in its place. He'll never know
the difference, and when he thinks his
tOothache has been cured wei spring
it or him The idea seemed to strike
the company favorably, and Campbell
eutere into it with great gUstO. A
stone was procured, aud the New York
congressman wrapped it up carefully
in the handkerchief. He laughed i'm
moderately as be performed the opera
ton. and gleefully contided to his
friends that he owed Jerome an old
score, and that this would give him =
chance to get even.
A few minutes later Jerome re-
entered the room. His tOothache was
rapidly getting worse, and he went to
the table and picked up the handker-
chief aud clapped it to the side of his
face. Then he began pacing up and
down the room. After a little while
he began TO grow calmer. and said
that the pain was much easier. Camp
bell could contain himself no longer.
so. jumping to his feet, he exclaimed:
Now, gentlemen, | don't know
whether there is any virtue in coal as
a cure for tOOthache or not. but / do
know that Larry is curing his with
Imagination. ''What do you mean?"
Indignantly inquired Jerome Il
mean simply this, responded Camp
bell. that lump in your handkerchief
isn't coal at all. It's only a bit of
stone" Don't you suppose | know
the feeling of coal when have the
toOthache?" howled jerome. No
body can cheat me | would bet my
life that it is coal Now Larry. -
said Campbell, in a tone intended 10
be coDciliatOry, and casually winhing
at the remainder of the crowd, per
haps you do, but | am willing TO bet
you basket of champagne that you
have a piece of stone in that
handkerchief The crowd got up
and stood around the two men. Camp
bell began to rub his hands and laugh
jerome said: Tim, I'll have to take
that bet" Then he calmly unfolded
the handkerchief, and sure enough he
drew out piece Of coal and won the
wager. He had slyly substituted the
coal for Campbel's piece Of stone.
Campbell's face was a stndy. Then it
dawnedHpon him that he had been
made the victim of a clever sell. He
ordered the champagne amid a great
deal of enthusiasm, and swore every
body present to secrecy. Campbell
wants revenge, and wants it quick.