The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-04
THE JOKER JOKED.
ASyORY OF A PRACTICAL JOKE
PLAYED ON PULASKI COWPER.
Another Extract From Cowper's ne
niniscenses of the Good Old
Times Before the War IN
Northampton County.


Cleaner this week, Mr.. Pulaski Cowper
tells of some practical jokes played IN the
old times IN Jackson by Mr.. John Nj.
Calvert. who had a keen sense OF the rldl-
culous and a quick perception OF prac-
teal Joke. After giving some of the
Jokes Mr.. Calvert played ON others, Mr..
Cowper does not spare himself, but adds
the following story, which appeared in
the Washington Post some years ago:
"Some years ago Col. Pulaski Cowper.
than whom there is not more clever,
whole-souled and popular gentleman, one
more widely known, or one who enjoys
a good Joke better,even if it is at his own
expense in the North State, was reading
law in the town of Jackson, the county
seat of Northampton county.
SIN the vicinity of Jackson lived Uncle
Tom Wheeler, who was as well known
State. 1t is said lat Uncle Tom was
possessed OF considerable means though
somewhat misery, at any rate, very few
people saw him spending money.
Zone characteristic of Uncle Tom was,
when away from home he was never seen
without his gun; ''Old Betsy" as he al
ways called it, as we'll as his dog always
accompanied him; and though he never
went any where without his gun, no one
ever saw him with any game.
1T made but little difference III what
direction Uncle Tom started from home
to take little hunt it was always near
err to- go via Jackson; and some of his
neighbors insinuated that the wet gro
ceries' had some attraction for him, as 1t
was almost daily occurrence for him to
be seen in town; and while he was ever
ready, ii drinks We're proposed, he was
never known to set EN- up
'"This "reminiscences occurred during a
court in jackson, and, on account of an
important case to be tried, there were a
large number Of people in attendance,
estimated by some at FIVE thousand. Near
the court house was the store of Mr..
John Randolph, a distant relative of
John Randolph Of Roanoke.
''IM the South, the storehouse in the
towns and villages, is not considered COM
plete without a piazza in front. Ran
dolph's store had very large one, on
which were seated some fifteen or twenty
men, including Uncle Tom He had set
''Old Betsy inside the store and near
the door, and he was sitting in the porch,
about midway between the two front
doors ct the store.
'>Col. Cowper had become somewhat
weary at the wrangling of the lawyers,
over the admission of some evidence, so
he took up his hat and walked out Of the
court house over to Randolph's store,
where he found the, crowd in the porch
teasing Uncle Tom about always carry
ing his gun and never having any game
and some intimated that they did not
believe he could kill anything Col. Cow
per seeing Mr.. John Calvert, who was
inside the store, take up the gun, and
draw out the shot, leaving only the pow
der in. and set it back where Uncle Tom
had left it, and being confident he had
''sure thing on the old man, joined in
with the others in teasing him. Col Cow
per proposed to bet treats for the crowd
that Uncle Tom could not hit his hat, if
placed on a large oak stump about fif-
teen feet off. (Col. Cowper chad ON a
fine silk hat, for which he paid $500 the
day before) Uncle Tom said We'll Laski'
that's what he always called the Colonel
Il don't want to hurt your new hat, but
as you insist upon it, and propose drinks
for the crowd and as / feel little dry.
il you will let me take rest, Ill see
what Old Betsy can do"
'The Colonel said, .All right, you can
take a rest, and sit down too, if You
like
1.-The Colonel sent FIVE or six boys
around town to tell everybody to come
quick round to Randolph's store, there
was going to be free treat" lie and
Uncle Tom then went to the oak stump
to put the hat in position. 1t was some
little time before Uncle Tom could place
the hat just exactly as he wanted IT..
While all this was going on, John Calvert
took up the gun, which was near to the
shot pouch, and filled her about half
full of shot and set it back in place.
Everything in readiness. Uncle Tom
took up his gun, remarking, "Old Betsy,
you have never failed me, now do your
best" Seating himself in chair he
rested the gun on the railing, took aim,
pulled the trigger, and-Uncle Tom was
picked up at the other end of the piazza,
and the gun went cavorting through the
air. and landed ON the other side Of the
street and the hat not piece Of it
as big as ten cent piece could be found
in the whole town. ''Snaked by jings,
exclaimed Col Cowper: "A conspiracy
some one has played fool on me; but I'll
get 'em up" and all were invited to a
saloon near by, where he arranged with
the proprietor for drinks for the crowd.
The Colonel then went to the hotel to
get his dinner, and about two o'clock p.
m the line was formed, and the drink
ing commenced. They would go in a,
the front door, get a drink; and pass out
at the rear.
About sunset the Colonel, went over
to settle the bill, when, to his astonish'
ment, the drinking was still going on
the line had resolved in ring,. and was
repeating; and ever and anon there would
go up yell, "Rah for COwpeE" He
called halt on the bartender, who
knowing the Colonel's ability to pay, wal
keeping the glasses filed He asked fol
the amount Of the bill. The proprietor
told him it would take some time to count
it up, as he had chalked it down ON the
side Of the house" The Colonel asked
how many barrels they had drank, ant
was told about two. He said he would
pay for it at wholesale prices and it wal
com. omised for $117.50.
Colonel Cowper became so Disguised
Nth the whole affair that he resolved
10 .r;yr mr.. tho Stndu of laxu onI irnrnadi