This Was One On Fred

The íollowing," taken froni Saturday's Times, easily explaius itself : "No one in this city loves a hot joke better than F red Huntoon, and no one knows Letter how to appreciate the point of humor when it is 'a liorse on himself,' but he was the victím of a practical joke yesterday afternoon wbich sorely tried liis almost inexhaustible fund of good nature. Several enterprising firms of tlie city have been giving away various articles to school childreii this week for adyertising purposes. Some unknown wag, evidently for the purpose of evenninf? up with .Mr. Huntoon, caused the following item to appear in Thursday's Times: 'Fred Huutoon, of the United States Express compauy's oflice, did not have brass rulers enough to accommodate all of his young friends Monday, but he bas recived a new stock and will be readv at 3 :30 p. m. tomorrow to supply those who did not get in before.' "As soon as school was distnissed yesterday several hundred boys of all sizes, ages and descriptions flocked to the office of the United States Express company. The office and the street in front was packed with eager youngsters, and wbile Huntoon was trying to explain that it was all a joke, Dean Seabolt was telling the kids that the rulers were there but the agent was saving thein for the big boys. Then trouble, for which a coal strike riot would be no comparison, broke loose. Finally to clear the office and open it for the business of the express company agaiu. Huntoon brought out a hose and turned it ou his troubles. The troubles melted away just in time for a baby, which its fond mother was wheeling up Huron street in a cab, to catch the full force of the stream. And theu there was more trouble. The lady laid her complaint against Marshall Sweet who, after the use of much diplomacy, suoceeded in effecting a peaceful settlement of the difficulty. The next time Huntoon is advertised as the star performer in a gift enterprise he will place a long walk between himself and the Beat of war."