The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-06-21
WooDsFIELD, SATURDAY, JUNE II, is45.

Sam upon his mule, with torch in
one hand, while walked by his side.
1t was only necessary for US to 60 a
short distance before we were at the
designated spot.
"Thar," said Sam, as he dismounted,
"here's as good place as any--so III
jest hitch Blaze here, and light our
pan."
Accordingly Blaze was made fast to
a stout sapling, and Sam proceeded to
kindle fire in his pan, at the same time
explaining to me, in low voice, the
mo dus operandi of the fre-hunt, which
he accompanied with sundry precau-
tionarv hints and directions for my own
especial observance on the present oc-
casion.
"Now, major" said he, "you must
keep close to me, and you mustn't make
no racket in the bushes. You see, the
way we does to shine the deer's eyes
is this-we holds the pan so, on the
left shoulder, and carries the gun at a
trail in the right hand. Well, when |
wants 10 look for eyes, turns round
slow, and looks right at the edge of my
shadder, what's made by the light be-
hind me in the pan, and if theirs deer
in gun-shot Of his eyes'll shine 'zact-
ly like too balls Of fire."
This explanation was as clear as Sam
could make it, short of demonstration,
for which purpose we now moved on
through the woods. After proceeding
a few hundred yards, Sam took a sur
vey as described, but saw no eyes.
"Never mind, major" said he, swell
find 'em-you see."
We moved on cautiously, and Sam
made his observation as before. but with
no better success-Thus we travelled
on in silence from place to place, until
| began to get weary of the sport.
swell, Mr.. Sikes," | remarked, 81
don't see that your bad beginning to-
night is likely to insure any better end
ing"
"Oh. don't gi, out Of patience, major
you'll see."
We moved on again, | had become
quite weary, and fell some distance be-
hind. Sam stopped, and when | came
up, he said in low voice-"you bet
ter keep pretty close up, major, ease if
| should happen to shine your eyes,
you see, moughtn't know 'em from a
deer, and old i'etsey here toats fifteen
buckshot and a ball, and slings 'em to
kill"
fell behind no more.
We had wandered about for several
hours and the sky which had not been
the clearest in the commemorative
began to assume the appearance ofraln.
| had more than once suggested the pro-
priety of going home but Sam was
eager to show me how to shine the
eyes of buck, and no argument or
persuasion could win him from his pur-
pose. We searched on as before, for
another half hour, and was about to
express my determination to go home,
when Sam suddenly paused.
"Stop, stop said he, "thar's eyes,
and Wrappers they is, too-now hold
still, major"
| raised on tiptoe with eager antici-
pation--I heard the click of the lock-
there was moment of portentous ST.
Ience--then the old musket blazed forth
with laundering report, and in the
same instant was heard a loud squeal,
and noise like the swapping Of bride
reins.
"Fhunder and lightnin p exclaimed
Sam,as he dropped gun, pan and all and
stood fixed TO the spot-'l've shot old
Blaze!'
So soon as he had recovered from
the shock, we FASTENED to the spot,and
sure enough, there lay the luckIess
mule, still floundering in the agonies of
death. The aim had been too good, /,
and poor Blaze was hurt "past all sur
gery' Sam stood over him in silent
agony, and, Notwithstanding the bitter
maledictions he had so recently heaped
upon him, now that he saw the poor
animal stretched upon the ground in
de ath, and knew his "infernal picter"
would greet HIM no more forever, a
flood Of tender recolections Of past
services poured over his repentant
heart. He uttered not word until af-
ter the last signs of life were extinct
then, with heavy sigh he uttered
"Poor old cretur! well, well, | reck-
on rs done. the business now, sure
enough. That's what calls pretty
nights work any how!'
"A bad beginning dosen't always
make good ending, Mr.. Sikes," | re-
marked.
Sous the luck, it will run so, some
times" said he in sullen tone, as he