FRIGHTENED AT A GONG.
{"newspaper_name": "Washington telegraph.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
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We have heard a funny story told of d
young fellow, residing in one Of the tobac.
co-growing counties Of Virginia, who re.
Gently made his first visit 70 Richmond,
the capitol OF the aOld Dominion" for The
purpose of selling his crop, seeing me
sights, and rubbing of some of the rust
which his backwoods fetching had
thrown upon his manners.


He reached Richmond about the md
die of the forenoon, and was fortunate in
selling his crop at an advantageous rate
and almost Immediately. Meeting with an
old school fcllow-one who had lived in
the city long enough to know its ways
he was advised TO take up his lodgings at
Boyden's, the crack house of the place, and
thither he al once went with bag and bag.
gage. Just before dinner his country friend
called upon him, and found him comfortably
located in a room Just at the head Of the
first stairs. II was close upon dinner time.


~SupPosing we take something 10 start
an Appetite" said the chap who had 'just
come down. -


agreed" rejoined his city friend, ga
glass Of wine and biiiers for me"


Lets 20 down to the bar and get it
dinners most ready" continued the tobac-
co grower.


ave might a. vel have i up here"
was the reloinder.


''Good licks but how are we to call for itl'


ring that bell there"


"Whai belll''


'Pull thai rope hanging there.


The young fellow laid hold of the rope
and gave il a jerk, and just at that moment
the gong sounded for dinner. Never had
he heard such sound before, and the rum.
bling crash came upon his ear with re-
port that stunned him. He staggered back
from the rope, raised both hands in horror,
and exclaimed,


"Great Jeru salem, what smash I've
broke every piece Of crockery in the houscl
There aini whole dish lehl You must
stick by me. old fellow" addressing his
friend, don't leave me in this scrape, for
my whole crop wont half pay the breakage:
What did You tell me 10 touch that cursed
rope forl''


But before his friend who was all but
bursting with laughter, could answer, .
servant entered the room with M


Did you ring the bell, sirl''


"Bell no d-n your bell: l never touch
4 bell in my lie: what belll | never saw
your bell,'


Somebody rung the bell Of this room,
that's certain" continued the servant.


mo, they didn't. There's nobody heri
that ever saw bell''-and then turning TO
his friend he exclaimed, aside, "Let's lie
him out Of it; shan't have cent to get
home if | pay The entire damage. What
do they set such rascally traps for, to take
il folks from the country7"


Afier violent e; Of laughter. the friend
was enabled to explain thai il was only the
gong sounding for dinner-a simple sum.
mons to ''walk down to SOUP got up on
the Chinese plan. They made their way
% the dining room. -bu, It we- some time
before the young tobacco grower could get
over the stunning and awful effect Of that
dreadful gong-'It was God-send," he
said, ''that the crash did not turn his hair
grey on the spot. Pic.