Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-02-16
/ AYT II rHY,30 frI


town, who died few years ago, Otto
told a practical joke that was played O.
him which forever left its mark. Tn
man in question was greatsportsman
and nothing could keep him ava,
from angling and shooting when ther
was the least chance to do good day
work. Ip earlier years he was in thu
habit Of going to little village il
Wisconsin famous for it's we'll stocked
streams. A man named Beech kept {
little hotel there, and the colonel-wt
will call him that-often put up with
him. He arrived there one night in
July and retired scou after supper, de-
tsrminsd to get good nights rest.
The landlord was in the bar and some
what worse for what he had imbibed
ri suppose I can have my old room?"
said the colonel as he shook hands with
him.
Certainly, certainly, my boy. Bat
you'll have to sleep with the major
you know the major-as the house is
full"
There may have been merry twin
k'e in his eye as he said this, but the
colonel took no notice of it. Yes, he
knew the major. The major WAS a
pleasant old chap who had lived in
the village for years and made his
headquarters at the tavern. There was
new moon that night, and the colonel
found it light enough to retire without
a lamp. Besides he didn't want to
disturb his roommate, who appeared
to be fast asleep. Very much fatigusd
with his days tramp he tumbled into
bed and was just doing off when he
heard the door open and some one
came into the room. In the dim light
ths colonel distinguished the outlines
Of a young man and woman. They sat
down on the sofa, where the rays of
the moon fell upon them. The colonel
could not understand the situation,
but he waited to see what would come
of it.
dearest" said the man in dulcet
tone. ri don't want you to have so
much to say to Billy Jones"
"Why, Charley, you know I don't care
rap for him. love you. You ought |
to know that"
There was kiss and then another.
The colonel nudged his friend, tho
major, well knowing that his sense OF
humor would render the scene all the
more enjoyable, but he didn't move.
The sweet talk went on very quietly
and decorously. Again the colonel
dubbed his bedfellow. Somehow the
major was sleeping very soundly, and
The colonel raised himself on his elbow
and took his first good look at him.
Imagine his horror when he discovered
little square pieces of damp cloth over
lis eyes and bandage around his head
o keep his jaw in position. The ma
or was dead.
The colonel gave one yell and sprang
rom the bed. Another bound and he
vas out OF the door and tearing down
he stairs. Not until he reached the {
aproom and swallowed large goblet
I whisky did he recover sufficiently q
rom his fright to ask for an explana-
lon from the landlord, who by this a
me was thoroughly ini oxicated. p
He confessed that he had played il
Ike on his guest and hoped it had not a
wen him much Of turn. The best 10
art OF the joke was on the young a
'uple, who had volunteered to st up
18th the corpse. When the colonel
mped from the bed, they thought it :.
rs averitable resurrection. The bold %
yer threw himself out of the window, ",
d the girl tainted dead away. A "
rained ankle was the extent of the 70
urles received by her sweetheart, ~
. landlord settling the bill. The e.
ldlord was quickly sobered by the -,
nmotion, but the colonel never went W
OK to that place, no matter if the 1''
did bite better there in July than P'
where else in Wisconsin Louis
y,,,bl,c