The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-16
PARsON JONES' PRACTICAL JOKES
Franks Played by a Genial Pulpit
Founder on His Associates.

Franks Played by a Genial Pulpit
Founder on His Associates.
| Gornley is one of the most ancient towns
| In what is known as the Black Country in
England, and has produced some rather
notable characters. About fifty years ago
it was the residence of the Rev. Joseph
Jones, or, as he was sometimes facetiously
called, the Rev. Joker Jones, on account of
his disposition for practical joking. He
was the Baptist minister of the town, but
the austerity of his creed did not repress
his genial and happy disposition nor pre-
vent him from living jocose and merry
life. His pleasantries were sometimes
rather more than the grave and solemn
deacons of his church could tolerate, but
on the whole Mr. Jones got on very well
with everybody. His jokes were generally
of a harmless character, calculated to
amuse everybody and offend nobody. There
was one exception TO this rule, and its per-
petration occasioned Mr.. Jones to receive
notice TO quit the house which for some
years he had rented under Lord Warne.
When the notice expired Mr.. Jones ap-
peared at the agents Office and rendered
Inc rent.
Have you brought the key, Mr.. Jones:'
tLC tAt.Cilt fioNt-As
mo, Mr.. Perkins, I haven't" was the
reply.
"How is that"
because want it. 2"
''What do you want the key for?"
''To lock the door"
Haven't you vacated the house?"
''No; I'm not going to"
But you will have to- 1t was his lord
ships own wish that you should receive
notice, and you'll have to leave"
Give my respects to his lordship. and
tell him if he don't know when he's got a
good tenant / know when I've got a good
landlord. and If he's got anything else 10
say he can just call Shall be glad 70 see
him"
When this audacity was reported to his
lordship he exclaimed: Darn the fellows
impudence. Let him stay, Perkins; let
him stay"
His lordship had been induced to order
notice to quit TO be given TO Mr.. Jones
through the influence Of the rector Of Corn
ley, who had been the victim of one OF SIR
Jones practical jokes. which occurred as
as follows:
In the market town, four miles away,
the Gornley Arms was the principal hotel,
and was famed for IT'S excellent table. One
day the Rev. DR.. Crook, rector OF Gornley,
sst down 70 dinner. He could scarcely re-
press frown when Methodist minister
came IN and took seat on the opposite
side Of the dinner table. lie was hardly
seated when the burly form Of the Rev.
Joseph Jones appeared, and with evident
delight he sat down By the rector. a hsh
was placed before them.
will you De good enough 70 carve, doc
tori said Mr.. Jones.
The relations between church clerZymen
and dissenting ministers were much less
genial than they are nov, and, unable 70
overcome his anVipAtny toward dissenters,
the reverend doctor answered unKrscio2s-
IL: -I'n carve for myself and you can do
the same / rspresent the church which is
the head Of all churches. and ] shall take
the head Of this fish" BE took the head
and a VERY good part OF the fish too.
The MeE hodist said. Il consider ny
church Is the most vial OF al churches,
and take the body"
The Rev. Joseph Jones Immediately took
up the ssuee turesn, and planting ladie-
ful OF sauce in the faces Of both ministers
he exclaimed. I'm the Baptist parsoa, and
I bsptize yo1 ali YANKEE Blade.