Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-22
A PRACTICAL JOKE.
A Merchant and a Young Lawyer Who
Now Meet as Strangers.

An interesting story is told Of a practical
joke played on a prominent merchant here by
q brilliant young lawyer whose face is familiar
about the courts.
The merchant is wealthy enough to retire
from business, but his young friend has not yet
reached that point of financial plethora.
As the story goes. there was a handsome
young lady here on visit from Chestertown.
Nd. The merchant, who is a bachelor,
has always been considered good
catch" by his lady friends. but has thus far
successfully escaped any serious inroads upon
his affections
This young lady from Chestertown appeared
to make decided impression upon the elderly
bachelor, and also to have captured the young
lawyer. At any rate, both are said to have
spent many pleasant evenings in the young
lady's company.
When she announced her intention Of soon
returning home, each of her admirers signified
desire to spend the last evening
in her company, and neither, Of course.
cared to be interrupted by the other. The
young lawyer was determined to get ahead of
his older rival and finally devised a neat
scheme for having a clear field for himself
Both met at the house where the young lady
was stopping, but the lawyer had arranged
matters to his perfect satisfaction.
He had obtained a blank summons for a
coroner's inqnest. and pasted ON the writ a
piece OF red paper to represent the seal of the
district The writ read:
You are hereby commanded to appear at
the undertaking establishment of = at 9
O'Clock this p. m. and hold inquest on the body
of -
The paper was placed in the hands of a man
to serve.
club on which was row of brass buttons. This
gave him the appearance of an officer of the
law
At about ten minutes before O'Clock cab
stopped at the front door of the house. The
bell rang and the man wearing the brass but
tons, appeared at the door.
''Is Mr.. - here?" he asked
"Ies, sir, replied the person who answered
the'door-bell.
Il would like to see him personally" said
the alleged officer.
Walk right in; here he is" Then the bogus
officer read the paper and told the merchant
that he had cab outside waiting for him.
The time mentioned in the summons had
nearly arrived and the merchant left the house
a disappointed man and entered the cab.
The ''oficer" had told the driver that his new
passenger would pay the hire, and also told
toned man told the victim that he
(the officer had to go for another witness, and
that he would go down to the undertakers later.
The cabman drove off and few minutes lat
er the merchant, looking sad. entered the I'M
dertakers place with the remark: I'm here. -
The undertaken expressed sorrow. under the
belief that his visitor had lost friend, and
then it only took the merchant an
instant to learn that he was the victim of a
practical joke.
He left the undertaker's and started for home,
when the cabman called him and wanted to
know which way he must take him.
The merchant preferred to walk, but the
driver informed him that 81 was due for his
services. Explanations we're made, but the
bill had to be paid.
Since that night the two gentlemen never
speak as they pass by"