Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-11-09
Shooting for Popularity.

Mr.. Mallorys Life Of Mr.. Clay has this
anecdoe Of his early appearance in the poliu-
cal arena.
while engaged in stump speaking. as i, is
termed, IN Kentucky, an incident occurred
which i, may not be amiss 10 relate. Ii illus
iraies his tact and ingenuity in seizing aud
turning 10 good account trivial circumstances,
for which he is SO celebrated, and 10 which he
is indebted for the enyiable lille Of being great
in little things. He had been engaged III
speaking some lime, when company of rifle
men, who had been performing military exer-
else. attracted by his attitude, concluded 10 90
see what that fellow had TO say, as they term
ed it, and accordingly drew near. They list
ened with respectful attention and evidently
with deep interest, until lie closed, when one
Of their number, man Of about fifty years OF
age, who had evidently seen much back-woods
service, stood leaning on bis rife, regarding
the young speaker with fixed and most saga
cious look. He was apparently the Nmrod Of
the company for he exhibited every character
islic of mighty hunter r,--buckskIn breeche.
and huning-shirt, coon-skin cap, black bushy
beard and vlsage which, had ii been in luxia-
position with his leathern bulleI-pouch, might
have been taken for part and parcel of Ihe
same. Al his belt hung the knife and ha:che.
and the huge Indispensable powder-horn across
breast bare and brown as The bleak hills he
often ,raversed, yet which concealed as brave
and noble heart as ever beat beneath a fairer
covering. he beckoned with his hand io Mr.
Clay TO approach bin, who immediately com.
plied Young man. SAID he. YOU want tn 90
10 the legislature see Why. yes replied
Mr.. Clay, yes, | should like IU go. >iuce my
friends have seen proper 10 put me Up a
candidate before The people, do nat wish 10
be defeated Are you 4 good shot 'fh~
best in The county, Then YOU shall 90 b,s
YOU musI give Tvs a specimen ot your skliI
must sec YOU shoot never shoot any rih.
but nv own, and that is at home. No mailer,
here is old Bess, she never fails in ihe hanl-
Of a mark,rnan she has often sent death
through a squirrels heau one hundred yards.
and day Iigh' through many red skin twice
shat distance; If you can shoot any gun ynu
can shoe, old Bess' Well, put up yont
mark, put up your mark replied Mr.. Clay.
The target was placed al the distance Of about
eighty rods, when, with all the GOODNESS and
steadlness Of an old experienced marksman.
bullet pierced The target near The centre.-'Oh.
d chance shot a chance shot y exclaimed
several Of his political oPponents.--A chane"
shot He NIGH shoot all day and not hIt the
mark again let him ny i, over, lei him Try It
over No: beat that, beat that, and then
will, reloned Mr.. Clay.-Bu, as no one seem
ed disposed 10 make the anempi, it was con
sidered lha, h. had gwen satisfactory proof OF
being the best shot in the country; and this
unimpurranl incident gained him the vote OF
every hunter and marksman in The assembly
which was composed principally of that class
Of persons, as well as The supper. Of the same
throughout the county. The mos, remarkable
feature respecting the whole transaction is yet
to be lold Said Mr.. Clay, | had never before
fired rife, and have not since The result
of the election proved Mr.. Clay much more
popular than il had been supposed he was he
was elected almost by acciamaiion.'