"Fell Through a Trap."

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1964, 7 February 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

" Fell Through a Trap."

Jodge William Cuitfu, of Sheboygan, and Judj.'e Caswell Marks, of Selraa, were both natives of .Lexington, Ky. In boyhood they bad jammed the same cat's head into the same milk pitcher, stolen peaches from the same tree, got trounced by the same farmers, werp otherwise enviou?ly intimate friends, afterwards chums at college and then errand boys in tbe same offioe. Later in life they parted and rose to sublime honors in their aeparate places. List January they met for the fir-it time since their parting, in Lexington, and brewed a convivial bowl in honor of the event. About midnight, full of affection and enthusiasm, they retired in the same bed. It was a huge affair, standing in the middle of the room and capable of being drawn up by ropes to the ceiliDg while the room wad being {cleaned. It was a very cold night, and they placed their clothing upon the fort of the bed. Just after they fell asleep, four friends entered softly, drew the bed by the rope 3 nearly to the ceiling, and left them thus suspended about ten feet frrm the floor. Theyjtben locked the door outside and retired. At 3 a.m. Judge Carter woke with that specips of thirst which usually cornea after Kentucky punch and technically known as " hot coppers." Leaping lightly out of bed to get the ice pitcher, he went whirling down ten feet, alighting with a soul-stirring thump on all fours. There was a long and painful pause. Then he peered upward through the darkness and called : — "Cdawell!" • "No reply." " Oh, Caswell ! " [Feeble crieß.j "C<^l" "Eh?— um,?— what?" The Judge was awakening. " I've fallen through a trap," yelled the now affrighted Judge, " get up and light a candle." 11 Where are you ? " queried Judge Carter, sleepily, framing his opinion that his honorable brother was drunk. "Down here. Fell through a trap. Don't get out of ray side of the bed." " All right." And Judge Marks, springing out on his own side, turned three somersaults and landed on tbe small of his back. Both were now convinced that they had fallen into a den of thieves, and were possibly to be murdced. The jokers had closed the heavy wooden shutters, so no light could enter, and removed all the furniture. The judges groped around on hands and knees, nearly frozen to death, and only at daybreak discovered the bed, climbed into it, and got warm enough to talk the thing orer. There were recently two temperance societies started under glorious Huspicea. The headquarters of one m at Selma, fhe other at Shehoygan.