The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-12-19
IARLoTTE, n. g., DECEMBER 10, 1899.
A RIDE.


During the Revolutionary War, when
corps OF the American army were encamped
near the borough OF Ezabethton, IN New
Jersey, an officer, who was rather more o
deyotee of Venus than Of Mars, paid hi
addresses 10 lady Of distinction whom he
was in the habit of visiting nightly, in the
cultivation OF those kind feelings which love
cordially inspires On discovery Of the
cause Of the repeated absence of the officer
and of the place where his interviews with
his Dulcinea were had, some waggish friends
resolved 10 play of a handsome trick a, his
expense, which should deter him from
repetition Of his amorous visits. The officer,
II appears, rode very small horse, of the
pony kind, which he always left united, with
tho bride relns over his neck, in order 10
mount aud ride of without delay when the
business Of courticg and kissing we're over;
aud the horse always remained until back.
ed by the owner without attempting TO
change his position. On certain very
dark night when the officer had as usual
gone 10 pay his deyoirs to The object Of his
affections, and vas enjoying the approving
smiles OF his far one, his waggish compa
mons went privately 10 the door Of the house
where the officer was took the birdie and
saddle from The horse, which they sent qui.
city away, placed the former on The tail,
and the latter on the back Of very sober
rumlnlliye old COW, with the crupper over
the horns who stood peaceably chewing
her cud near tho spot Immediately there.
after, they retired some distance from the
house end separating they raised a large
cry Of alarm, that The enemy had landed, aud
we're marching with full force into the VII
age. Ga hearing the voice Of alarm, the
people ran out, greatly excited, and con
slernalion entering every dwelling found It's
unwelc0me way speedily into the household
temple where our official hero vas worship.
png. Taking counsel from his fears and
snalching hasty kiss, he started from the
lady'5 chamber, and rushed down stairs,
shot out Of doors sith the velocity OF a mus.
ket ball, and owing 10 the darkness, not see.
ing the Interesting change 10 the contor.
nation Of his u4g, mouuicd hastily on the
saddle with has back towards the head Of
the COW, aud plunged his spurs deeply IN
her sides, caused her 10 ha~ out with ex.
ccssye pain, aud started % 10 gallant style,
and IN her best gaIlop, made towards the
camp. The officer stu pIy ing his spurs
and whip 10 the skim and bones of the sui.
ieriug old animal and with all his vine and
love on board-fuuug himself hurried rap.
IDLY backwards; maugre oil his Efforts to
advance and hearing the repeated bawl. !
Jugs Of the tortured and frightened beast, I
imagined that lie was carried Oft rs magic,
and roaring out most lustdy that the devil
had got hln--was carried N tins state Of
perturbation into the very alignment Of the
camp. The courageous sentluels hearing
the noise, and imagining that Hannibal aud
his oxen we're coming, discharged their pie 1
ccs aud led as II the devil chased them, the !
alarm guns were tired--the officers left /
their quarters, aud cted, turn out turn /,
out with all the strength of their lungs. (
The soldiers started from their sleep as # 7
ghost had crossed their dreams-and the /
whole body running half naked, together
formed a gallant dlshable, prepared to re.
pei the invader. When 10 the Iudlcrous
sight soon presented itself to tbceyes, Of the
gallant officer, mounted on an old COW, with .
his face towards her tail, and this appeudagc .
sticking straight out behind; her tongue
hanging out-her SIDES CORY with the grew
Gus gigglng Of the spurs-aud himself ow
ing TO his excessive fear, almost deprived
of reason, aud half petrfed with horror.
\ loud aud general roar OF laughter broke
from the baud at the rider and his steed-
the whole corps gave him three times three
hearty cheers, as he buited into the camp,
and he was seized and carried to his quar-.
tiers IN triumph, there to dream Of loves
mctamorphoses backward rides, slcrnway
advances, and farm o! INVASION, aud there,
by to garnsh his mind with materials for
writing a splendid treatise on the novel I'D
reuiurc Of cowooay, Constellation,