Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1846-06-17
Gov RIDE BackwardIs.

During the Revolutionary war, when
corps Of the American army was en-
camped near the borough Of Elizabeth
town, in New Jersey, an officer who was
more Of dsvotee Of Venus than Of Mars,
paid his addresses TO a lady of distinction,
whom he was in the habit Of visiting night
u, in cultivation Of those kindly feelings
which love SO cordially inspires. On a
discovery Of the repeated absence Of the
officer, and ofthe place Of his interviews
with his dulcinea were had, some waggish
friends resolved to play off a handsome
trick At his expense, which should force
him from : repetition Of his amorous
visits.
The officer, it appears, rode a very
small horse Of the pony kind; which he
always left united, with the bride riens
over his neck, near the door, in order to
mount and ride of without delay, when
the business Of courtinS and kissing was
over; and the horse alM ass remained until
backed BY the owner, v :thout attempting
70 change his position. On certain very
dark night, when the ofh Ter had, as usual,
gone TO pay his devotions to the object OF
his affections, and was enjoying the ap-
proving smiles Of the lovely fair enc; his
waggish companions went privately 10 the
door Of the house where The officer was,
took his bride and saddle trom the horse,
which they sent away, placed the bride
on the tail, the saddle on the back, and
the ,cupper over the horns Of a quiet old
cow who stood peaceably Chewing her cud
near the spot. Immediately thereafter
they retired some distance from the house,
and separating, raised the lcud cry Of alarm,
that the enemy had landed, and were
marching into the village.
Our hero on hearing this, took counsel
from his fears, and snstching hssty kiss,
he shot ont OF doors with the velocity Of a
musket ball, and mounted into his saddle,
with his back towards the head ofthe COW,
and plunging his sharp spurs deeply into
hsr eide, caused her to bawl out with ex-
cessivs pain, and she dartsd off in her best
gallop towards the camp. The officer still
plying his spurs, and with al his wine aud
love on board, finding himself hurried
rapidly backwards, mauger all his ef
forts to advance; and hearing the repeated
bawliags Of the tortured beast, imagined
that he was carried of by Magic, and
roaring out most Justify that the devil had
got him, was carrisd into the very
ALIGNMENT Of the camp.
=" The sentinels, hearing the noise, dis
charged their pieces and fled; and alarm
guns were fired, the drums beat to arms,
soticeFs left their quarters, and cried, turn
:out! turn out! with all the strength oftheir
lungs. The soldiers started from their
sleep - if ghost had crossed,heir dreams
! --and the whole body running halfnaked,
formed q quick IS possible in gallant dis
, hsbills, prepared TO repel the terrible in.
v1dsr. When 10! the luticrous sight soon
presented itself to their eyes, OF tie gal
liant officer, mounted on an old COW, with
his face towards her tail! Her tongue
! banging out-her sides CORY with the
sgigglmg Of the spurs. and he himself al
ooat deprived Of reason, and half petriiiea
1ieA horror. A loud soar Of laughter
:, broke from, the assembled band, al the
rider and his steed-the whole corps gave
! him TIRES times three hearty cheers, as lie
shsIted into camp. He was ca.ried 10 his
quarters 10 triumph, there 10 dream Of
! loyer's nstamerphoses, backward rides,
! steruway sGvicss, and alarm Of invasion,
!. And theseby to gsrnish his mind with ma
terials Tor writing a splendid treatise on
the novel adventures Of q COW story.