Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-17
Playing Jokes on the Devil.

Playing Jokes on the Devil.
Times Star.
Mr.. John NJ. Welsh, of the Continental
line, at Fourth and Vine streets. was re-
calling his experiences as devil on the
Leader, of Chillicothe, Ohio, lone morn
ing, when | had just started on the paper,
the foreman came to me with the post
office box keys and said to get the mail,
look over the exchanges and clip matter
for to-day's issue. To put my stuff on
the sheet of MANILA, leaving room to credit
the article, or for my changes that were to
be made.
81 got the mail, and going into the
editors sanctum took his chair and went
to work. There was the San Francisco
Chronicle, that contained a number of ar
tlcles that looked as if they would be of in
terest to me, so | whacked them out Deep
In what | thought was good work for the
Leader, when in walked Mr.. Tyley. He
looked at me in surprise, and asked what
L was doing there. told him and he
said that was his work and what he was
there for, and for me to go up to my case,
that the boys had worked job on me. |
felt quite meek and tried to keep awake to
any prank that might be attempted
Once more they worked me. Go over to
the Herald office and get the type grinder,
said the foreman; this type must all
be ground up before melting for new
type
Il went to the Hearld office for the type
grinder. They said to go out to the COM
posing room and get it. Thev told me
there that the Sun folks had borrowed it
the day before, and would find it there
At the Sun they seemed to know nothing
about it. | told them positively that |
knew they had it for l had just come from
the Herald and they said it was here.
Soon they came around and remembered
that the boys from the German paper had
it. | went over there, and after trying to
understand the German bookkeeper for
some time, was sent to the composing
room, where | learned that the Chronicle
had our type-grinder When l got to the
Chronicle | was tired of running around,
and when told that it was not there said
| would look no further for it, Then they
said they would not either, for there was
no such thing. | was so mad then that |
did not go back to the Leader till noon, but
| was fully initiated"
An Old Martinez.
Night after night | watched the crows,
until at last it became certain that the old
crow, with the stentorian lungs. was in
absolute command and had his forces wei
under control. After about a week more
OF training, they began to show signs of
excellent discipline. At the command of
the leader, flock of a dozen or more took
wing and described much larger circle
than ever before. Until they were about
two hundred feet from the rest, compare
tive silence reigned among the remaining
host; but then, suddenly, came several loud.
sharp tones from the leader, and about as
many more lett the trees. This time the
new division separated into two equal
bodies, and flew off at right angles for
short distance. Then, in response to
another cav, they turned in the same
direction as the advance guard, who were
now some distance away. After a few
moments had elapsed, the word of command
was again given, and all the crows rose
together In a body and followed the lead of
the guard, the old chieftain being
well to the front; but | noticed that he
did not fly so fast as the main body, and
they gradually passed him. Now"
thought, he may be the crow with the
acute brain, but he certainly lacks the
strength of wing to keep to the front, -
for by this time he was among the stray
glers bringing up the rear. But before long
the air again resounded with the hoarse
Cav! Caw!" and Immediately the ap-
parently abandoned tree set forth very
creditable rear-guard These last crows
rose and scattered themselves into open
skirmishing order.
Then the General at once proved to me
had been very foolish in drawing hasty
conclusions concerning his wing power.
for he at once forged ahead, blowing his
way rapidly, until he reached the main
body and took a leading position. By
this time the advanee-guard had completed
their circle and was futtering round in
smaller circles preparatory to alighting
upon their perches; but the vigilant eye of
their leader detected this attempt, and
cav OF command sent them forth to duty
again. The old fellow was perfect old
Martinez, so far as drill was concerned.
Up to this time he had taken things some
what easily as it had been only company
drill; but now it was the all-important
battalion drill, and there was no shrinking
allowed.
The word to halt was soon given. how
ever, and each detachment, perohed upon
its camping trees, awaiting orders. AS if
it was perfectly understood that after drill
there were to ''roost at ease terrible
cawing commenced. It seemed that each
crow meant to let them all understand that
he was the best-drilled bird in the bri-
gade.
The following evening, when the regi-
ment received orders to march, there was
no sign of their hating in their flight; but,
after scurrying around the circle once or
twice, at a sign from the leader some
of them left the main body and flew ahead
till they reached the advance guard and
the right and left wings of scouts took
their places. The birds then on duty slack
ened their flight and gradually rejoined
the main body. The same thing was re-
peated by the rear guard. It became evil
dent that the General not only intended to
guard his army, but also arranged to relieve
those who were sent out upon his special
duty. In fact, no human general could
have thought out all probable contingent
cies and prepared for them better than did
this ''old black crow"
Next morning, after waiting for some
time, the voice of the General sounded
forth the order to march The advance
guard at once arose with their usual
"Caw! and then in silence started due
south. flying on horizontal plane only
few feet higher than the trees they had
left. At the word, the other guards flew
out as right and left wings but maintain
ing the same height in the air as the pio-
neers;- fact. all appeared as if moving
along an invisible railroad track As soon
as the advance parties had taken their
posts, the General gave the signal starting
the main army In motion.
Before long they became a gray cloud in
the distance. and then melted out of sight
in the glowing southern skv-Fron, ..Tbo