Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-10-18

Hooper, the editor of an Alabama journal, whose
name we just now forget, but which has almost al
ways something in it to make US laugh tells the fol-
lowing capital yarn:
Shall tell YOU bit of story, having no connex-
ion with politics, this hot dry weather. By permits
sion:
Old Col. D, of the Mobile district, was one of
the most singular characters ever known in Ala
bama he was testy and eccentric, but possessed
many fine qualities which were fully appreciated by
the people of the district Many of his freaks are
afresh in the memory of the cold uns" of Mobile
and all of them will tell you that the Colonel though
hard to beat, terribly taken in by couple
of legal tyres. It is George Woodward, believe,
tells the story; but however that may be, it is in
keeping with others related of the old gentleman.
It seems that Col d. had misunderstanding with
the two gentlemen alluded to- and was not speak
ing terms with them, although all of the three were
professionally riding the circuit pretty much togeth-
er. The young Ones being well aware of the Colo
ners rascble nature determined as they left one of
the courts for another to have some sport at his
pense by the way, They accordingly got about half
hours start in leaving and presently they arrived
at broad dark stream, that looked if it might be
a dozen feet deep, but which, in reality was hardly
more than as many inches. Crossing it, they alght-
ed, pulling off their coats and boots and sat down
quietly to watch for the old 6 Tartar
Jogging along, at length came up the old fellow
He looked at first at the youngsters, who were grave
drawing their boots and coats, as if they had
just had SWIM and then he looked at the broad
creek that rolled before him like fluent translucent
star The colonel was awfully puzzled. : -.
SIS this creek swimming2" he growied, after a
pause of some moments. ....s .
No reply was made-the young men simply noun
ted their horses and rode off little distance, and
stopped to watch our hero
The colonel slowly Invested himself of coat boots
pantaloons and drawers. These he neatly tied up
in his handkerchief and hung them on the horn of
the saddle, then he remounted, and he was fat,
short man, with paunch of inordinate size, rather
inordinate legs a face like withered apple, and
brown wig, there is doubt he made interesting
picture as he bestrode his steed with the breeze
holding gentle dalliance with the extremtes of his
only garment
Slowly and cautiously did the old gentleman and
his horse take the creek. Half length-and the
water was not fetlock deep Here the horse stopped
to drink. A length and a half-and the stream no
deeper! Thirty feet further--and decided shoal-
ing!
Here Col. D. refined up. "There must' said he,
abe a laundering swift deep channel between this
and the bank. See how the water runs! We will
dash through"
A sharp lash made the horse spring the watery
waste and another carried the horse and rider safe
ly to the opposite bank. The creek was nowhere
more than foot deep.
A wild yell from the younguns announced their
appreciation of the sport as they galloped away.
"ill catch you you grand rascals," was ground
between Col. DIS teeth; and away he galloped in
hot pursuit. muttering vengeance on his foes:
On-on-they sped, pursuer andpursued. The
youngsters laughed, yelled and screamed-the colo
mel cursed with mighty emphasis, while isshirt fut-
tered and cracked in the wind like loose flying ib
On-on-and the pursuer reached the farmhouse
on the road side Their passing startled a flock OF
geese from fence corner, which, as the colonel
dashed up met him with outspread wings, elongated
necks, and misses dire His horse swerved suddenly
and the colonel in a moment was upon the ground,
in most unromantic cheap" with his brown wig
by his side, and his bundle of clothes scattered
around.
The white headed children of the house came out
first, took distant view of the monster-as it
ed to them-and then returned to report progress.
After little the father of the family came and the
affair being explained, assisted the colonel in making
his tolette-the colonel swearing and the country
man laughing all the while.
Dressed and mounted, our hero started off with a
woeful phiz, and was soon out of sight.