No Joke for the Joker.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 52

No Joke for the Joker.

The practical joker was siuDteriug along in the dusk. The inoffensive citizen was sauuteriDg alopg in tne same dusk, unniiudful of the presence of the practical joker. The practical joker, KC3gn ; s ; ng n, frieud in the inoffensive citizsp, chuckled to-himself and quickened his steps to overtake him. The inoffensive citizen was thinking of a story he had read about footpads, and wondering whebker anyone wonld ever try to hold him dip. The practical joker suddenly tipped the iuoffenfive citizen's hut over hi 9 eyes. The inoffensive citizeu wheeled inaUn&ly, and United a flue large Ij'o.y. between fie practical joker'u eyea. The practical joker weiib down. The inoffensive citizen promptly Bat on him and hit him again. The practical joksr yelled s— "For Heaven's sake don't hit ma again, John I Don't you kaow me ? "

The inoffensive citizen said : " Great Scot ! " ' The practical joker said, in an injured tone : " Hang it all, John, it's only a joke," The inoffensive citizon looked at tha practical jokeii nho now bad one eyo. doped* and

laughed. The practical joker angrily asserted .that it was no ltughing matter. 1 " Bub you Said it was" a joke," returned the inoffensive cit'zen, •• and I think you are right." And he laughed again. But the practical joker hasn't bosn able: to seethe point of it to thiis day. SuiJJ, ifc was unquestionably^* good i joke.