THE APRIL FOOL. 105

 

kept himself free from enemies by his good
temper and ability to soothe the parties he
sometimes irritated beyond the point of en-
durance.

The First of April was never permitted
to come and go without being well im-
proved by the joke-loving Thomas. Ifa
customer sent for a pint of brandy on that
day, he would be very apt to get four gills
of vinegar; or, if for a pound of sugar, half
a pound of New Orleans mixed with an
equal weight of silver sand. That was
a smart child who could come into his store
on the occasion, and leave it without being
the victim of some trick. So, from morn-
ing till night of the First day of April,
the face of Mr. Thomas Bunting was one
broad grin. Full of invention as to the
ways and means of playing off tricks upon
others, our merry friend was wide awake
to any attempt at retaliation; and it gene-
rally happened that most of those who
sought to catch him, got the laugh turned

upon themselves.
XxI.—T |