Pranky Frankie

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: The following article was found on page 1 of the April 7, 1905 issue of The Weekly Commoner, a newspaper in Colfax, Washington: A NOVEL PARTY Colfax Ladies Turned an April Fool Joke "One of the most novel and amusing parties in the history of Colfax was held last week at the residence of Mrs. Leon Kuhn, and thereby hangs a tale. Mrs. Kuhn had issued instructions to a number of her most intimate friends for a party Saturday afternoon. All unsuspecting they arrayed themselves in their best gowns, and repaired to the Kuhn residence. When they arrived they found the house deserted, the door locked and on it a card bearing the hateful inscription 'April Fool.' At first their chagrin was too deep for utterance and they were turning away disconsolate, while Mrs. Kuhn was enjoying their discomfiture from the window of a neighbor's house. But one of the more daring among them refused to be sold and going around to the back of the house, found an unfastened window and climbed in. It was the work of a moment to open the door and admit the crestfallen guests, and then a sudden change came over the spirit of their dreams. In a moment a dozen merry women were decking the tables with snowy linen and shining silver. Others were searching the larder, while the telephone was kept busy with orders for ice cream, cakes and confections, all to be charged to Mrs. Kuhn. One lady had brought flowers to present to the hostess, and these were quickly arranged in vases to grace the table. In a short time an elaborate repast had been prepared and the guests surrounded the festive board, having first taken the precaution to bar all the windows and doors." "It was a merry party, despite the absence of the hostess, and when the eatables had disappeared they played progressive five hundred, selecting prizes from the pretty china in the closet. Mrs. Kuhn came home but was denied admittance. The home was turned topsy turvey and a momento was left for the absent hostess in the form of a card bearing the inscription: 'He laughs best who laughs last.'"