The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-10-31
An Amusing Story.

! The following story is from an Alabama
paper:
/ Old Col d. of the Mobile district, was
one of the most singular characters ever
known in Alabama Ii seems that he hati
a misunderstanding with two gentleman,
and they were not on speaking terms al
though all three were professionally riding
The circuit together. The two young men,
being well aware Of the Colonei's rascible
nature, determined, as they left one of the
course for another, to have some sport at
his expense by the way. They accordingly
got about half an hour the start IN leaving.
and presently they arrived at broad dark
stream, that looked as if it might be doz-
feet deep, but which in reality, was hardly
,saoge than as many inches. Crossfak it,
they alighted, pulling off their coats, arf,
boots, and sat down quietly to watch for the
old "rartar."
jogging along, at length the old fellow
came up. He looked first at the youngsters
who were gravey drawing on their boots
and coats, as if they had just had swim
and then he looked at the broad creek that
rolled before him. The Colonel was aw-
fully puzzled.
as this creek swimming?" he growled,
after q pause of some moments.
"No reply was made--the young men
simply mounted their horses and rode off
little distance, and stopped to watch our
hero.
The Colonel slowly divested himself of
coat, hat, lantaloons and drawers. These
he neatly tied up in his handkerchief, and
hung them on the horn Of the saddle, then
he remounted, and as he was a short, fat
man, with rather inadequate legs, face
t,to xuifhoraI an,Ie nn1 braun ,yin
there is no doubt ne made all interesting APP
pearance.
Slowly and cautiously did the old gentle
man take the creek Half length-and
the water was not fetlock deep. Here the
horse stopped to drink. y length and n
half-and the stream no deeper! Thirty
feet farther, and decided shoaiing!
Here Col. ID. reined up. "There must
be swift deep channel between tins and
the bank. See how the water runs, We
will pash Though.
ga sharp lash made the horse spring the
watery waste, and another carried the horse
and rider safely to the opposite bank
The creek was nowhere more than foot
deep.
GA wild yell from the young ones an
nounced their appreciation Of the sport, as
they galloped away"
''I'lI catch you, you rascals," was ground
between Col. DPS teeth; and away he gal-
,oped in hot pursuit, muttcring vengeance
on his foes.
On--on-they sped, pursuer and pursued.
The youngsters laughed, yelled and scream
ed-the Colonel vociferated with mighty
emphasis, while his shirt futtered in the
wind, like loose flying jib.
On--on-and the pursuer reached the
farm house on the roadside. Their pass
ing startled flock of geese from the fence
corner, which, as the Colonel dashed up,
met him with outspread wings, elongated
necks, and Kisses dire. His horse swerved
suddenly, and the Colonel, in a moment.
was upon the ground, in most unromantic
heap, with brown wig by his side, and his
bundle of clothes scattered around.
The white-headed childen of the house
came out first, took distant view of the
monster, as it appeared to them-and then
returned to report progress. After little,
the father Of the family came, the affair be-
ing explained, the Colonel was assisted in
making his toilette, and muttering curses,
passed on.