Litchfield enquirer., 1847-01-21
A MILITARY RIDE:
OR, THE OFFICERS SUMMONS.


During the Revolutionary war, when
corps ofthe American army were encam-
ped near the borough of Eliza bethtown,
N. J. an officer who was more of de-
voice of Venus than Of Mars, paid his ad-
dresses to lady Of distinction, whom he
was in the habit Of visiting nightly, In
the cultivation of the kindly feelings
which love SO cordially inspires. On q
discovery of the repeated absence of the
officer, and of the place where interviews
with his dulcna were had, some waggish
friends resolved 10 play off handsome
trick at his expense, which should deter
him from repetition of his amorous
visits.
The officer, 1t appears, rode q very
small horse of the poney kind, which
he always left united with the bride
reins over his neck near the door, in order
to mount and ride off without delay,
when the business of counting and kiss
ing was over; and the horse always re-
manned until backed by the owner, with
out attempting 10 change his position.
On certain very dark night, when the
officer had, as usual, gone to pay his de-,
volions to the object of his affections,
and was enjoying the approving smiles
of he lovely fair one, his waggish COM,
panions went privately to the door ofthe
house where the officer was, took his bri-
die and saddle from the horse which they
sent away, placed the bride on the tail,
the saddle on the back, and the crupper
over the horns of 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 loud cry OF
alarm, that the enemy had landed and
were MAJ ching into the village.
Our hero, on hearing this, took council
from his fears, and sna.ching hasty kiss
he shot out of doors with the velocity of IL
cannon ball, and mounted into the sad
die, with his back towards the head Of
the COW, and plunging his sharp spurs
keenly into her sides, causing her to
bawl out with excessive pain, and she
dartcsl off in her best gallop towards the
camp. The officer, still plying his spurs
with all his wine and love on board, find
ing himself hurried backwards, maugre
all his efforts TO advance; and hearing
the repeated Rawlings of the tormen,ed
beast, imagined that he was carried off
by magic, and roared out most Justify
that the devil had got him-and was
thus carried into the very center of tho
camp.
The scntinols hearing the noise, dis.
charged their pieces and fled and alarm
guns were fired, the drums beat to arms
the officers left their quarters and cried
turn out turn out! with all the strength
Of their lungs. The soldiers started
from their sleep as if ghost had crossed
their dreams-and the whole body, run
ming half naked, formed as quick as pos
sible in gallant dishabilIe, prepared to
repel the terrible invader. When, 10
the ludicrous sight soon pesented itself
TO their eyes, of their gallant officer.
mounted on a COW, with his face towards
her tail-her tongue hanging out, her
sides CORY with the gougng of the spurs.
and he himself almost deprived of treason,
and half petritied with horror A lour]
roar Of slaughter broke from the asseu, J.
bled band, at their;der and his s,eed, and
! 1.-The whole corps gave him three times