Year: 1877

joked, but he could laugh, be sure. Aye
when the laughing fit was fairly upon
him, his ebulliton was uproarious.


Once upon time party of young stu
dents-divinity students--were on a visit
at Uncle Ebens mansion; for he was
wealthy man, retired from commerce, and
spending the evening of his days in lux
urious ease and independence. Uncle
John was Ebens younger brother, and
clergyman, and the students above spoken
OF were pursuing their theological studies
with Rev. John, and had come with him,
by earnest invitation, to spend as long
time as they might choose at the mansion
of "The Oaks" as Uncle Eben called his
place.


Very soon the host began to exhibit his
joking propensities, and there were times
when he carried the thing a little beyond
the bounds of propriety. Never mind
the hundred different ways in which, in
the course of couple of weeks, he con-
trived to get laugh upon one or another,
or upon all of his guests; nor did he
spare his reverend brother.


AT length an opportunity of paying
Uncle Eben off in his own coin offered of
too tempting character to be resisted.
The party had been out upon the lake
fishing. Their boat was a broad, round
bottomed gondola, large enough to car
ry thirty persons comfortably, and pro-
PEELED by sweeps. In her bottom, nearly
amidships, was large plug which could
be removed to let water out when the
boat had been pulled ashore, or by means
of which water could be let in should
occasion require.


Well, on the occasion referred to, Uncle
Eben and six of the students had been
out several hours, and if they had not
caught many fish it was simply because
the old joker had been full of fun and
pranks all the time. AS they approached
the shore the wind was blowing quite
fresh, and setting directly out. The old
man was always the last one to leave the
boat. The students had concocted their
plan, and were ready for putting it into
execution. They leaped from the boat
as soon as her bow touched, taking the
oars with them, and the last one adroity
pulled out the plug, and as he landed he
gave the boat push that sent her away
from the shore, and the strong wind watt
ed her farther and farther off with con-
siderable speed.


For a little time Uncle Eben's atten-
tion was directed to finding something
with which to set the boat shoreward,
but not thing was at hand. Presently
loud howl told that he had discovered
the greater danger. The boat was filling
rapidly with water. of course the young
rascals on shore made great show Of anx-
iety. They flew around furiously; hal
loed to their host, asking him what they
could do to help him; and finally, when
they saw the old gondola almost ready
to sink, two of them got a small skitf
off, and put out to his rescue, reaching
him, as they had evidently intended, just
as he was tloundering in the water. With
mighty effort they got his two hundred
and thirty pounds avoirdupois into the
skiff, and pulled for the shore, leaving
the gondola for others to fish up.


The old man said not word to init
mate that he was vexed, or that he held
any suspicious of practical joke. In
rather concerned manner, however, as
though the greater danger was to come,
he said he hoped the involuntary bath
wouldn't bring on his old fever and
ague.


AS the party started for home, Uncle
Eben was really sad and melancholy.
The fun had all died out Of his rotund
face, and his speech was sorrowful. Once
or twice he seemed almost ready to cry.
The young men knew not what to make
of it. They wondered if it could be pos
sible that their little joke had affected
their hosts well-being. They began to
feel uncomfortable.


At supper time Uncle Eben sent down
and asked to be excused. Hehad no ap-
petite for eating. An hour later he came
down into the great drawing
wrapped up in blanket and shawl,
and lay down upon a sofa. The pbysi-
clan had been sent for.


At niue o'clock the old man was seized
with commissions, and his howlings and
groanings were terrible to hear. If there
had been any mystery in the matter, Un-
Gle Eben had whispered it to his wife at
the outset, and she had caught the doctor
in the hall, and whispered it to him.


The doctor examined his patient, and
looked grave and dubious.


"The system has received terrible
shock IA dreadful shock" he said. And
then he examined more critically.


1t is doubtful if six mortals more pain.
fully unhappy and agonizingly regretful
could be found anywhere than were those
six theological jokers. They were pale
and flushed by turns, and their feelings
grew more and more narrowing. At
length, when they could endure their
self-condemnation no longer, they all
sank down upon their knees by the side
of the sofa whereon their host was gasp
ing.


80, Uncle Eben our friend and bene-
factor good, noble man can you ever