Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1870 — Too Much “Petre.” [ARTICLE]

Too Much “Petre.”

A practical Joke of a serious nature, which, however, ended Inla providential manner, was perpetrated in a small town in the western portion of this State, a few weeks since. It appears that a man named James Linkinwater wished to purchase a small quantity of and for that purpose visited a grocery store kept by Thomas Alexander, who had in his employ a boy named John Peterson. Linkin water has been a frequent visitor at Alexander’s store, and has taken pleasure in nicknaming the boy John, by calling him “ Peter," much to the annoyance and confusion of the lad, when the store was filled with customers. The bov could not prevail upon Linkinwater to discontinue calling him “Peter," and so warned him that if he did not stop he would play some jokes upon him which he would not like. This had no effect on Linkinwater for when he entered the store to purchase his salt, he called out to the hoy: “ I want a pound of salt, Peter.’’ The boy got genuine saltpetre and gave it to his customer, who took'it home. The mind of Peterson was not altogether easy after the departure of his customer, and as soon as his employer came into the store (for he was absent at. the time Linkinwater was there), the boy went to Linkinwater’s house only to find that the saltpetre had been, used, and that Mr. and Mrs. Linkinwater were complaining of feeling ill. But he arrived in time to prevent a fatal termination to his practical joke, for a physician was called, who succeeded in averting death, which wonld undoubtedly have occurred had it not been for his timely arrival. As fkr as Peterson is concerned, he has determined never to perpetrate another practical joke; and Linkinwater has learned a lesson he will not soon forget. —Boston Times.

There is astory going the “ founds ’’ of the press, detailing how a young lady, in the excess of love for her father, who had been unfortunate in business, donned male clothing, stained her hands and face, and cut off the locks, “ which had been the pride and admiration of numerous beaux," and meandered to the oil country. Her success was most astonishing. In a short time she had amassed a considerable sum, and retired to Cleveland, provided a home for«her aged sire, resumed the habiliments of her sex, and, as the author of this most interesting sketch says, “with hands and feet enlarged by toil, she passes in her nnenade the worthless butterflies of ion, with a proud- consciousness of her superior worth.” Curious are the means of self-defence witbwhich animals and insects are provided. A butteifly never, when apprehending danger, lights on a green tree or shrub, but flies Into a clump of dead leaves, and so adjusts its wings oh a twig as to look exactly like a shriveled leaf, and defy discovery by its foe,