The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-09
A JOLLY FISHING PARTY.
indianapolis Men Perpetrate a Joke
on Charles Mayer.

A Jolly fishing party arrived in Indian
apolis few days ago from trip to Prince
ton. Wis The party was made up of H. S.
Tucker, Henry c. G. Balls, Charles F.
Sayles and Charles Mayer. The three first
named were and are still laughing at prac-
teal joke they put up on Mr. Mayer while
they were away on their pleasure excur-
sion. The joke was suggested by Mr.
Mayors well-known habit of talking in
loud tone of voice when he grows inter-
ested in conversation. Mr.. Mayer and Mr.
Sayles decided one day that they had
caught about all the trout in that part or
the stream near which the camp was To-
Gated, and set forth for point about five
miles up stream.
During their absence two gentlemen from
Oshkosh drove up TO the camp in carria5s
and asked permission to do little fishing
in the vicinity. AS they were evidently
men of the right sort, Messrs. Tucker and
Balls gave hearty assent to the proposition
When the quartet became better acquaint-
ed the two Indianapolis men proposed to
the citizens of Oshkosh that one of the
latter should feign deafness when Mr.
Mayer returned from his fishing expedition
that evening. The plan was instantly de-
cided upon. Messrs Mayer and Sayles re-
turned to camp about o'clock in the after
noon, but in the meantime the men from
Oshkosh had gone some little distance to
fish and did not arrive at the camp until
Q clock in the evening. In the interim Mr.
Mayer was informed of the arrival OF the
strangers and also that one Of them un-
fSrtu1ateN was very hard o or c hearhg H.
happened TO be in front of the house when
the fishermen returned, and, being desir-
Gus of showing them a little indianapolis
hospitality sailed forth TO meet the Wis
iiors. One of the men was walking slightly
N advance of the other, and by some
chance singled out by Mr.. Mayer as the
deaf" man.
MR.. MAYER'S QUESTION
Mr.. Mayer. as is perfectly well known
is an expert the subject of fishing tackle
and quite naturally he opened the con-
versation with the remark: What kind
of reel have your" The gentleman pre-
tended not to hear the remark Looking
carefully at the reel, Mr.. Mayer saw that
it was of an inferior pattern and could not
restrain the exclamation: why. it amt
worth a darn" Still the deaf man pre-
tended not TO hear. Finally Mr.. Mayer
came up very close, and. putting his mouth
10 the visitors ear, began to fairly yell his
remarks. This he kept up all the way to
the cottage, and the other members of the
Indianapolis quartet declare II is miracle
the citizens from Oshkosh did not contract
a genuine case of deafness. The trio OF
conspirators in the house were laughing
themselves almost sick over the ludicrous
antics and the loud talk of Mr.. Mayer, and
finally one of them had 10 go outside TO
laugh AS soon Mayer caught sight Of
him he grew very much ashamed, ani
turning to the visitor. shouted into his ear
an apology, coupled with the explanation
You must not pay any attention TO my
friend here. for he is subject TO fits. AT
this the mirth of the laughing individual
increased, several horsepower. \ little boy
happened along at this juncture, and, MOTTO
ing Mr. Mayors loud talk, called out:
Huh that Teller amt deef," We'll. If he
isn't then L never saw deaf mani re-
tCrted Mr.. Mayer.
In a short time the visitors from Oshkosh
went out TO the stable to look to their
team and Mr. Balls came out of the house
and followed them. Mr. Mayer being still
with his new-found friend and shouting in-o
his ear. When the party arrived at the
stable the two visitors entered and Mr.
Pals stepped up to Mr.. Mayer and said in a
low tone of voice: Say, Charlie. l think
IL you will just whisper into that man 5
ear maybe he will hear you a little bet
ter" The gentleman in question had not
cot fully into the Enclosure. and. overhead
ing the remark of Air. Balls, could not re-
strain an impulse 20 smile. Mr.. Mayer saw
al once that he had been the victim of a
practical joke. such as he is fond of per-
petrating on his friends, and turned on his
heel with a sniff Of momentary Indignation.