The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-01-10
A TlPPLER'S JOKE.
10 Was OF the Practical Kind and Might
Have Resulted Seriously.


One of tho best known men about town,
who died few years ago. often told
practical joke that was played on him
which forever left It's mark. The man In
question was great sportsman, and moth
ing could keep him away from angling
and shooting when there was the least
chance to do good day s work. In earlier
years he was in the habit of going TO n
little village in Wisconsin famous for
well stocked streams A man named
Beech kept little hotel here, and the colo-
nel-we will call him that--often put up
with him. He arrived there one night in
July and retired soon after supper, deter
mined to get good nights rest The
landlord was In the bar and somewhat
worse for what he had imbibed
81 suppose l can have my old room?"
said tho colonel as he shook hands with
him.
Certainly certainly, my boy. But
you'll have to sleep with the major-you
know the major--as the house is full. z"
There may have been merry twinkle
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 lamp. Besides, he didn't want
to disturb his roommate, who appeared to
be fast asleep. Very much fatigued with
his days tramp, he tumbled into bed and
was just DOING off when he heard the door
open and some one como into the room. In
the dim light the 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 tho man in duloet tones,
II don't want you to have so much to say
to Billy Jones"
"Why, Charley, you know don't care
a rap for him love you. You ought TO
know that. ;"
There was kiss and then another. The
colonel nudged his friend, the 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 jabbed his bedfellow. Some
how the major was sleeping very soundly,
| and the colonel raised himself on his elbow
and took his first good look at him. I'm
square pieces of damp cloth over his eyes
and a bandage around his head to keep his
jaw in position. The major was dead.
The colonel gave one yell and sprang
| from the bed. Another bound and he was
out of the door and tearing down the
stairs Not until he reached the taproom
and swallowed large goblet Of whisky
| did he recover sufficiently from his fright
| to ask for an explanation from the land
| lord, who by this time was thoroughly in
| toxicatod.
He confessed that he had played n joke
on his guest and hoped it had not given
| him much of turn. The best part of the
! joke was on the young couple, who had
| volunteered to sit up with the corpse.
When the colonel jumped from the bed,
| they thought it was a veritable resurr,c-
ton The bold lover threw himself out
| of the window, and the girl tainted dead
away. A sprained ankle was the extent OF
the injuries received by her sweetheart, the
| landlord settling the bill. The landlord
was quickly sobered by the commotion,
but the colonel never went back to that
I place. no matter if the fish did bite better
! there in July than anywhere else In Wis
| consin. st. Louis Republic.