A ‘RACKET' THAT FAILED.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2471, 8 March 1882, Page 3

A ‘RACKET' THAT FAILED.

* Back again,’ said a very dilapidated-look-ing individual, sauntering up to the cashier’s desk in the business department of the ‘ Eagle ’ and assuming a classic pose, evidently intending to impress the cashier favorably. * Back again, I say, old man,’ repeated the seedy chap. The cashier looked up from a roll of hundred dollar notes he was in the act of counting, took a furtive glance at the apparent tramp, and said, ‘We haven’t anything for you to day.’ ‘ Well, that’s good,’ said the tramp, I So you take me for a beggar, do you ? I see. I have remained away too long. Well, well ; out of sight out of mind. You really do not remember me ? Come, now, take a long look and brush up your dormant faculties,’ and the tramp struck another attitude more im posing than the first. The cashier inspected the face of the tramp with a searching gaze that would have done credit to a full-blooded story-paper detective, but without recognising the features. ‘la it possible that you, my old schoolfellow, could have become so enamoured of the vanities of this world as to cut an old friend simply because his back is not covered with broadcloth and fine linen ? Sir, this wrecks my faith in the honesty of man. Hereafter I am a believer in total depravity and universal oussedness. There was one time when you were— ’ ‘ Come, see here, you have gone far enough,’ said the cashier, ‘I am very busy, and if you haven’t any business with me you had better leave.’

‘ Then I have gone entirely out of your life,’ said the tramp, heaving a deep sigh, bu': showing no signs of leaving. 1 Henceforth, I suppose wo are to consider ourselves strangers to each other. And I have lived all these years to see a noble nature hurled from its pedestal of purity by the glitter and tinsel of riches. Ah, my friend, it is indeed too true that few people can stand the corroding influences of prosperity.' ‘lf you do not leave at once, I shall be obliged to have you removed by force,’ said the cashier, entirely losing patience. ‘ Some are born great, and some have greatness thrust upon them,’ quoted the tramp.

‘ When I was a youth I felt that I was born to greatness, as our lamented friend well puts it. Then I attempted to achieve greatness, and after a time lived in hopes that greatness would be thrust upon me, but it wasn’t worth a cent.’

‘ Will you, or will you not go ? ’ said the cashier, thoroughly exasperated. ‘ Young man, this is cruel. If your memory was not blinded by the pride which comoth with success, I am sure you would help an old friend down the hill of lifeComo now, for old times sake, let mo have a couple of dollars. I’ll— ’ The tramp never finished the sentence, and as ho pulled himself together on the sidewalk outside the office he muttered, — * That lay is dead beat.’

At Carlisle, Pennsylvania, they toll innumerable stories about that grim old patriot and anti-slavery agitator, Thad. Stevens. One day the old man was practising in the Carlisle Courts, and he didn’t like the ruling of the presiding judge. A second time the Judge ruled against “ Old Thad., when the old man got up with scarlet face and quivering lips, and commenced tying up his papers as if to quit tho Court-room. “Do I understand, Mr Stevens,” asked the Judge, eyeing “ old Thad.” indignantly, “do I understand that you wish to show your contempt of this Court?” “No sir; no sir,” replied “old Thad.” “I don’t want to show my contempt, sir ; I’m trying to conceal it 1"