The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-07-11
CURING A JOKER.

live dwelt a man named Sam Peabody
or. at least. so I shall call him, for he is a
good man now and might not like to have
the evil deeds of his youth made known
among strangers. Sam was an inyeter-
ate joker-what is denominated a ''prac-
teal joker"-and though he never meant
any real harm, yet he often caused much
mischief by his pranks. On one occasion
when he had gone out at night, envel-
oped in a white sheet to brighten some
girls. he started to the roadside at the
approach of a chaise and frightened the
horse, so that the chaise was smashed up
and one of the occupants severely in
jured.
SSm had been talked with and argued
with, but TO no purpose. He could not
be made to see the wickedness of his
pranks. Sometimes he would fasten lines
across the sidewalk, and thus trip up the
pedestrians; he would ring folks up in
the night and ask them if they had plenty
of bedding. Once he called the doctor
out at midnight to come and attend a
man who had very bad fits. The good
old doctor arose and followed Sam till
they came to Adam Ships little domicile,
and here the joker called up the little
bow legged tailor, and the moment Snip
poked his head out at the window sam
cried: There, doctor, is a man who
makes the worst fits you ever saw!' and
with this he ran away, and left the doc
tor and the tailor to settle the matter.
This was serious business in one sense,
but it set the whole town in a laugh and
Sam was delighted.
But Sans last practical joke was near
at hand. At the edge of the village
lived a man named Jerry Smith. He
was a stone worker by trade, and as
strong as an OK. One evening Jerry's
wife had been to see a neighbor, n in
returning she had to pass over a place
where the road was built along upon a
sort Of morass, with willow trees upon
each side. When she entered her house
she was pale and trembling, and sank
into a chair almost out of breath.
whats the natter asked her hus-
band.
1--WE been frightened" gasped the
woman, as soon as she could command
her speech.
but how? Where:
"Out by the willow trees. An OK, with
great horns and fiery eyes, came out at
us, walking On his hind legs"
''By thunder, it's Sam Peabody" ex-
claimed Jerry. HE killed an OK this
morning"
81 knew it was Sam as soon as / had
time to think" returned the wife, 'for
his voice was plain; but was 50 fright
ened at first that | liked to have tainted"
Jerry was angry. 1t did not suit his
fancy to see a defenseless woman thus
treated. He took his hat at once, and
went over to a small house on the oppo-
site side of the street, where lived his
partner in business, another stout, iron
corded man, named George Tyler.
Look here, Tyler" cried Jerry, Sam
Peabody is out in the willows, rugged up
in his OK skin, frightening poor women.
Come with me and we'll punish him"
Tyler hesitated not a moment, but
taking his hat he followed Jerry Owe to
the other house. In the first place Jerry
took a fireboard, and with some marking
paint he painted out a flaming placard.
with letters large and distinct. Then hs
got some Of his wife's dresses, and babe
Tyler put one Of them on. For" said
he, "if he sees two men coming he may
run"
The dresses We're thrown on after a
fashion and pinned to the other cloth
ing, and then the men donned each one
a bonnet. They then procured a lot Of
stout cord, and, taking the freboard, they
sailed forth. As they approached the
willows they began to giggle and litter
in squeaking tones, and ere long the
fearful nondescript made its appearance.
With a low, deep believing it walked
into the road and stood directly in front
of the two pedestrians.
"Oo-oo-oo-oo" beloved Sam.
Mercy" screamed Jerry.
"Ah-oua-oo-oo!"
"SaYe me!' squeaked Tyler.
The OK hide approached another step,
and Jerry leaped forward and seized it,
and ON the next moment Tyler was by
his side.
Now, Mr.. Peabody, l reckon you're
safe" uttered Jerry, giving him a grip
like a wise.
'Don't-don't!" cried Sam.
Don't what"
Don't hurt me-
I'VE won't hurt you if you keep quiet,
but if you make any resistance you'll
run the risk of getting your head bro
KEN"
Sam knew that it was Jerry Smiths
wife whom he had frightened, and he
knew that Jerry could handle him as a
child. He begged and prayed, but to no
purpose. The two stone cutters backed
up against one of the willows, and then
proceeded to bind him to the trunk Of a
tree. They lashed his hands behind him,
then dashed his ankles together, and then
they bound him to the tree at the shoal-
ders, wrists, knees and feet, and they did
it securely, too. After this they took the
freboard and placed it against the tree
above his head. securing it by nails
which thsy had brought for that pur-
pose.
Mercy shrieked Sam, you aren't
a-goin' to leave me here?"
Yes, sir, answered jerry. lyon have
had your share Of joking long enough,