The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-06

that they could find no ground for eth
er disturbing OF quarrelIing with him.
What was more, he was physically
rather an ugly-looking "customer," with
his six feet four inches of Drawn and
bone; though the inclination, just dis
coverable in his figure, to corpulency,
together with a broad, full, good-humor-
ed face, gave an air Of sluggishness to
his energies, and an expression Of easy
simplicity to his temper, which offered
neither invitation to gratuitous insult
nor provo cation 10 dislike. He was
the very impersonation of inofiensive,
loyal honesty, slumbering on its con-
scious strength; and these men, with
out exactly knowing why, felt some
little disinclinatlon 10 waking him. He
had evidently never been reused to
knowledge of himself, and others felt
just as uncertain what that knowledge
might bring forth as he did, and were
not specially Jealous of the honor of
having it first tested upon their own
persons. So that Jack Long might
have been left for many a day in quiet,
even in this formidable neighborhood, to
cultivate his passion for workmanship,
at the expense of the dumb, wild things
around him, but for an unfortunate dis
play he was accidentally induced to
make Of it. .t
Happening to fall short of ammuni-
ton, he went one day to "the store"
for fresh supply. This cabin, togeth-
er with the blacksmith's shop and one
or two other huts, constituted the "coun.
ty town. and as powder and liquor
were only to be obtained there, it was
the central resort of the Regulators.
Jack found them all collected for great
shooting match, in preparation for
which they were getting drunk as fas,
as possible, to steady their nerves.
Hinch, the Regulator captain, had al.
ways been the hero Of such occasions;
for. in addition 10 being a first-rate shot,
it was known that 1t would be dan
gerous exertion of skill for any man to
beat him,--for he was furious and
vlndictive bully, and would not fail to
make a personal affair of it with any
one who should mortify his vanity by
carrying off the prize from him. In ad-
dtion, the band of scoundreis he COM
manded was entirely at his service in
any extreme, so that they made fearful
odds for single man to contend with.
Everybody else in the county was
aware of this state of things but Jack
Long, and he either didn't care. After
they had fired several rounds, he went
lounging listlessly into the crowd which
had gathered around the target, ex-
claiming in admiration over the last
brilliant shot of Hinch, which was tri-
umphantly the best. The bully was as
usual clustering vehemently, taun,ing
every one around him, when he saw,
Jack looking very coolly at the famous
shot, with no grain of that deieren,ial
admiration IN his expression which was
demanded, he snatched up the board,
and thrusting it insultingly close 10 his
face, roared out a
"Here! You Jack Long-Shanks--
look at that!-Take good look! Can
you beat i'll" Jack drew back with
quiet laugh, and said good-humoredly-
"Psha! You don't brag on such
shootin' as that, do you?"
"Brag on it! Id like to see such
moon-eyed chap as you beat it?"
81 don't know as I'D be very proud
to beat such bunglin' work rs that" ."agr
"You don't! don't you!' yelled the
fellow, now fairly in rage at Jacks
GOODNESS. "You'lI try it, won't you9
You must try III! You shall try it, by
Cd. Well see what sort Of a swell
you are!w 0 s5en#
"Oh, WE'LL" said Jack, interrupting
him as he was proceeding to rave for
quantity,-'Just set up your board, if
you wantto see me put ball through
every hole you can make"
Perfectly astounding of the lion--for
it was difficult to tell whether contempt
or simplicity dictated Jacks manner;
the men set up the board, while he walk
ed back to the stand, and carelessly
swinging his heavy rifle from his should
er, fired seemingly as quick as thought.
"It's a trick of mine," said he, moving
towards the mark, as he lowered bis
gun; 81. caught it from shootin' var
ments in the eyes; always takes 'em
there. It's notion I've got,-i,'s my
fun" They all ran eagerly to the tar
get, and sure enough his ball, which
was larger than Hiuch's, had passed
through the same hole, widening it. s.
"He's a humbug! It's all accident!
HeNcan't do that again!" shouted the
rufian, turning pale, till his lips looked
blue, as the board was held up. "l'll