Middletown transcript., 1892-01-28
he can't come down until he promises,


ranks of the wicked many a time in
the courtroom. His face was pic
ture of judicial earnestness as he
rehearsed the terrible warning.
"If you do not Immediately dis
perse and peaceably depart to your
own habitatious, or TO your lawful
places of business, you will be within
an hour, siezed, aud, if you resist, be
killed without benefit of clergy. God
save the king
But the disturbance was not so
easily put down. Instead of being
seized, his tormentors turned the
tables on the judge, and hustled the
poor victim on his wheeled throne
until he was glad to agree to terms;
in order to give time to explain mat
ters to the doctor, who was elected
umpire, the condition being first
enacted by the majority that the cul-
prit be confined to the table until a
decision was reached.
1t seemed that young lady from
Boston, friend of pretty Alice Coop
er, had been trying to introduce and
explain a new game, which she called
3" Impromptu," and which was in high
favor in her native city.
Now, in the nature of things, new
game was a great acquisition, as the
old stock was exhausted and the de-
mand for novelties lively. She ex-
planned to the doctor in a voice
trembling from the late violent exer-
else {" You take two boxes or hats
hats will do nicely. In one you place
the name of every person present,
children and all, for the little ones
make the most fun; then, for the
other bat you write on like slips OF
paper as many subjects for song, story,
recitation--anything you choose-as
there are names. Shake them we'll,
and let name be drawn from one
hat and subject from the other, ona
with the right hand and the other
with the left, the person drawing
being securely blindfolded. Then a
story, song or whatever must follow
from said person on said subject. l
speak with emphasis, that the offender
may understand N. B. Tickets
not transferable"
In the confusion of cross explana-
tion it came out that Judge Cooper
had been delighted with the idea of
the game, and had commended it to
the girls as giving them a chance to
show their quick wit; but when his
name was drawn, followed by Fir
tation as a text for his discourse, he
had protested against the decree, and
insisted on having another chance, or
at least the privilege of exchanging
with some one who had a theme
within his knowledge.
Why, doctor, 1 know less about
this matter than old Prince, asleep
there on the'rug; and appeal to
your sense OF justice. Here is my
wicked daughter who is going to tell
what she knows about Torpedoes,
and refuses 10 exchange with her poor
old father, although she thoroughly
understands his subject. Do you
consider this fair ?"
Yes, the doctor evidently did, for
he heart!essly joined the party having
the floor. What else could he dc
when Alice entreated? So the poor
Judge was forced to capitulate, and
was released on parole.
"But you must give me shorI
reprieve; l insist on time to think il
over awhile. Here, let Louis tell his
story first. What is it; Louis P
Bears F" And you are exactly the
man who can tell US about them, after
your last summer IN the woods. Or
you go?" and small Louis was swung
to the rostrum lately vacated by the
speaker.
The little fellow stood abashed fol
a minute, with fist boring into each
eye, suffering from an attack of stage
fright; but after a short whispered
prompting from Aunt Alice, he said
in low gruff voice, up in the nor
woods Heard big band of moosic
Big bear coined out and eat every
body up! That's the end o m!
story !" And reaching his toes dowl
until they touched convenient chair
reached the floor in triumph.
This rather mixed statement wa
received with shouts of applause ant
laughter, frightening the small orator
out of his wits, but did not give th'
Judge the time for preparation, which
he insisted, every condemned man wa
entitled to.
But I've caught at slight clew
founded on fact, and hope it viii
unwind to your own satisfaction. |
not, why, shall delight in the suf'
ferings you have called down on your
selves, for you deserve it,
The noisy audience, quieting down
began to form a circle round tn,
blazing fire, leaving seat for tn