Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-06-09

From he .Veo Fo's Constellalioa.


During the Revolutionary War, when a
corps OF tie american Army we're eDcamped
scar See borough Of Elizabsthiswn ia New
Jersey officer who was rather more oil
rcvofce Of Venus, than eli Mars, paid his al
dresses TO a lady of distinction, whom he was
in the habit Of visiting nightly, IN the culti-
vation of those kindly feeling which love so
cordially inspires Ga a discovery Of Che
cause oil the repeated absence Of the officer,
and Of the p',lce where his interviews WITH
his dulcinea were had, some waggsh friends
resolved to play off handsome trick a his
expense, which should deter him a repetition
of his amorous visits The officer il Appeals
rode very small horse Of The penney iHad,
which he always left united, with the hrIdle
rens over his neck nc al the door, in order %
mount ADD ride Of without delay, when the
business Of couTiing aad kissing were ever,
and the horse always remained until backed
by the owner, without attempting TO change
his position. On certain very dark night,
when the officer bad, as UEoa}, g1Bs TO pay
his devoirs to the object of his affections, and
was enjoying the approving smIlas Of the fair
one, his waggish companions went privately
to the door Of the house where the officer
was took the bride aad saddle from the
horse, which they seat quietly away, 9lacsd
the former on the tail, and the latter Oh the
back of very sober rqninatiye old COW,
with the crupper ever the horn:,) who stood
peaceably chewing her cud, near the spot -
Immediately thereafter, they retired some
distance from the house, aud separating, raj
scd ihc Ieud cry Of alarm, that the eremy
had landed, aud were marching in fult force
into the village. On hearing the voice Of a.
larn, the people ran out greatly excl cd; and
CONSERVATION entering every dwelling, louna
ITS unweceme way speedily IN the household
temple where our official hero was worship
ping. Taking counsel from his fears, and
snatching hasty kiss, he started from the
lady's chamber, and rushing rapidly down
stairs, shot out of doors with the velocity Of
fhusket ball, and owing to the darkness,
not seeing the interesting change in The con
formation of his nag, mounted hastily on The
saddle, With his back towards the head oil
the cow and pIungIng bis sharp spurs deep
~ INTO her side, caused her to baNl out with
excessive pam, and she darted off in gallant
style, and IN her best gallon made tow ards
the camp The officer still plying his trusty
spurs and whip to the skin and bones Of the
sn4erisg old animal, and with all his wine
and love on BOARD finding hlnself hurried
rapniiy backwards, maugre all bis efforts TO
advance, and hearing the repeated baW lings
OF the tortured and frightened beast, imagin
ed that he was carried off by magic and
roaring out most Justify that the devil had got
hn, was carried in this state of perturba
ton into the very alignment of Che came
The courageous sentinels, hearing the noise,
and imagining no doubt, that Hannibal and
his oxen we're coming, discharged their pie
ces and fled az if the devil had chased them.
the alarm guns were fred-the drums beat
to arms; the officers left their qna rteFs and
cred, tura out! turn out! with the strength
of their lungs. The soldiers started from,
their sleep as Il ghost bad crossed III
streams and the whole body running, half
naked, together, formed IN gallant dishabile.
prepared 20 repel the terrible invader. When
10. the ludcrous sight spea presented itself
TO thcir eyes OF the gall ,ut officer, mounted
on an old COW. with his face towards her tail,
and this aPpendage sticking straight out 10
bind; her tongue hanging out-her sides
CORY with the grievous g;gging OF the spurs,
and tnnself, owing TO his excessive .ear. II
most Gerri7Gd Of reason, and half petlilicd
with horror, A loud and general roar of
laughter from the assembled band, at the H.
der and his steed the whole corps gt> 6 hin
three times three hearty cheers, and be holt
ga into fhs camp, and he was seized and car
RED to isqaarters in triumph, there to dream
OF loves metamorphoses, backward rides.
steFhway advances, and alarms OF INVASION.
asd thereby 10 garnsh his mind with mate
rails Tor writing a splendid treatise on the no.
vel adventure Of COW ology.