The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-05
ONE or ron CORWIN's PRANKs.
How He Rid His Sister OF the Attentions of
an Obnoxious Sultor.

Among the many interesting things that
were printed in the Louisville Journal of
Monday, July II, 1865. is the following
amusing story. in which the famous
Tom Corwin figured. Every one has
heard Of the eloquent, pathetic, and hum
OrOus stump orator of Ohio, lie was
pronounced by Henry Clay-a most COM
petent authority-to be the finest stump
speaker he had ever heard. He carried
his love OF fun into every department
OF life. In the private circle, where
he knew every person, and where he
unbosomed himself fully. he was a most
delightful conversationalist:
Il do not know" says a writer in
the old Louisville Journal Of the date
above referred to- that he now, as age
and inirmties are creeping on, INDUCES
I'm the humorous proclivities so much as
he used 10 do. but some twenty years
ago he used to tell with great gusto
the following story:
In early life-so early that / cannot
remember the removal-my father pulled
up stakes, and, carrying with him the
household goods, went from Bourbon
county, Ky, where | was born, TO Ohio.
notwithstanding rough-and-tumbe
struggle with the world, l had hard
time TO get on, owing 10 a numerous
family matters had not much improved
when ] reached my thirteenth or four
teenth year.
At this time there lived in the neigh
borhood n young man named Pickering.
He had inherited a well-stocked farm,
was good looking. and made strong
profession Of religion. This latter quail
fication caused him 10 find peculiar favor
in the eyes Of my father. who always
was blinded by professions OF extra piety
This fellow had strong hankerlng
after one OF my sisters, who was very
pretty girl. To her he was peculiarly
distasteful. She seemed always an
noyed at his presence. Yet he was ever
at her side She dared not dismiss him
entirely, for fear Of the paternal anger
Things went on this way for year or
two, and as / partook largely or my
sisters hatred OF him, I resolved 20 get
rid Of him in some way. ! cast about
some time for a plan, but nothing gave
me the slightest hope Of being success
ful.
"'At last, returning home late one
summer night from the mill / found the
family at their nightly devotions. Pass
ING by the windows OF the room In which
they were assembled I saw that Picker
ing was there. and pretty soon discovered
that he was nodding and finally his head
dropped. Now was my opportunity. /
stole slyly into the hall, and. reaching
the hall door, which was slightly aJar
and close by which Pickering was ION
Blended knee" / reached in and quickly
pulling his chair from under him, he
rolled heavily. as a sound sleeper would
upon the floor. The noise alarmed all.
The old gentleman stopped in the midst
of his almost intermnable prayer and
saw the position q Pickering. All the
family laughed outright; even my mother
smiled.
pickering endeavored 10 pick himself
m as RAPIDLY as possible. but he had
touched the old man upon his tender
noiut II was evident. from his rubbing
his eyes. that he had slept under the
old genteman's ministrarons; ana had
not nv father n reputation FAR and wide
Tor the strength and fervency Of his
Manifestations. and was not pickering
his protesting brother? Slowly. yet most
dignifedly. did the old gentleman APP
nroach him "Begone. hypocrite" he
cried in laundering tones. Never enter
my house again.
pickering was thunder struck He
felt that he could make no apology which
would not add 10 the insult. He had no
suspicion OF the extra force which had
aided him in his fan. He at once found
his hat. took up his line OF march and.
completely crestfallen, passed by me as
I stood in the shadow OF the porch.
lat a suitable time I entered and got
nv supper. was told by my brother In
hurried whispers what had happened,
and then I stole on to bed. affecting ig-
norance and laughing most heartily. as
7 ensconced myself between The sheets,
nj the complete success OF my plan. Next
dsv cautiously impaired my secret 10
NV sister. She was In her own room at
the time. and threw herself upon the bed
and rolled in agonies and commissions
OF laughter. She had been emancipated
forever from an obnoxious lover. The
old gentleman aid not hear the real state
OF the facts for fully twenty years hut
when ne did he laughed heartily
Courier-Journal.
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