Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/539

 IIISTOKY OF GOODHUE COUNTS 459 as strangers have ever met me with more cordiality and gentle- manly courtesy than he. The result of these investigations was a determination to remain here. I rented an office in the second story of a wooden building, then nearly completed, standing on the north side of Main street. Red Wing at that time contained a population of perhaps 600. "A few days after. 1 returned to Dubuque and sent A. Y. Pratt forward with our office furniture, following him about July 10. I found the building before referred to completed and occupied. In the west compartment on the lower floor was the United States land office; in the east, the hardware store of Clark & Cooper; and in front, over them, was our office. In front. over the land office, were Messrs. Smith, Towne & Co., and back of them, the law office of Murdock & Bristol. From that office radiated many matters of practical importance to this land district. From well nigh all parts of the state came attorneys to be heard in eases of contest in the land office court. In this block were concocted the thousand and one practical jokes that contributed not a little in those days to save our people from ennui. Those who are familiar with that period in our history need not be told that our friend Pratt w r as the presiding genius in this department, supported by Phelps Everett as his efficient and unfailing aid. While a volume could be filled with their efforts in this field, I will only give a specimen. Messrs. Clark & Cooper had ordered and received the bell for the new Presby- terian church. It stood upon the siclew T alk in front of their store ; its position was such that it could be easily rung. I had just returned from the East with memoranda for numerous business entries upon our books. I was seated at one side of the table in our office and Pratt at the other, making entries at my dictation. It was a hot day in summer and the office windows were wide open. We had progressed with our work but a little time, when clang, clang, in full tone, went the bell; not a single tap or two, but persistently. Of course it disturbed us. An exclamation of annoyance on my part was followed by Pratt's quick movement to the window to discover by whom the bell was rung, and to request its discontinuance. From him came the remark, 'The scamps have run; they must be the same cubs wdio have kept the bell going for the past two nights. They don't let a fellow sleep.' Our work was barely resumed when the boys gave notice of their return by interruption number two, and with increased power. Pratt moved rapidly to the window ; the boys were just disappearing around the eorner. This game was kept up two or three times more. At last Pratt left his seat, saying, 'Confound them, I will catch them anyway!' Going to the closet, he produced a pitcher of water — the best part of a