A PRACTICAL JOKER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 782, 13 April 1877, Page 4

A PRACTICAL JOKER.

Recently some wags, seeking to amuse Uiemselves at the expense of other people, constructed a “ dummy” man and after placing it at the corner of Pollen and Sealey streets, in the attitude of an inebriated individual who had resolved to make his lodging on the cold, cold ground,” disposed of themselves at a distance to see the fun, After waiting some minutes an elderly gentleman was observed coming a'ong, and when he was within a dozen yards of the spot the confederates appeared, filled with pity for the supposed drunken man, while one of them, converting his hat into a basin, rushed frantically to the standpipe and copiously deluged the unfortunate dummy, saying at the same time, “ Give him water ! Give him water, quick ! he’ll soon come round." The elderly gentleman above referred to (as would anybody else) rushed on the scene shouting “ Give him ait,” but scooping down to raise the poor fellow’s head discovered his mistake and walked quickly away followed by the peals of laughter of the ways. After several others had been taketi in to a greater or less degree, an official personage irreverently called by the practical jokers “ Old Mall,” part of whose duty it is to take charge of inebriates, came up, probably with the intention of arresting the personage lying on the footpath. After gazing for a second or two he laid his hands on the <diimrav, and discovering that he was the victim of a joke eased Lis injured feelings by adraistering a kick to the pseudo drunkard. When he tamed round the wags had vanished.