The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-27

AN AMUSING SToRy-Hooper, the editor of an
Alabama journal, whose name we just now forget,
but which has almost always something in IL TO
make as laugh, tells the following capital yarn;
''Shall tell you bit of a story, having no con
nexion with politics, this hot, dry weather. By
permission
''Old Col D., Of the Mobile district, was one
of the most singular characters ever known in Ala
bama. lie was testy and eccentric but possessed
many fine qualities, which were fully appreciated
by the people of the district. Many of his freaks
are airesh IN the memory OF the 'old uns' OF Mo-
bile-and all of them will tell you that the Colonel,
though hard to beat, once terribly taken in by
u couple Of legal tyros. IT Is George Woodward, 4
believe, tells the story but however that may be,
il is in keeping with others related of the old gen
teman.
at seems that Col D. had a misunderstood
ing with the two gentlemen alluded to, and was
not on speaking terms with them, although all of
the three were professionally riding the circuit
pretty much together. The young ones, being
we'll aware Of the Colones irascible nature, de-
termined they left one of the courts for another,
to have sport at his expense by the way.
They accordingly got about half an hours start in
leaving, and presently they arrived at broad,
dark stream, that looked as if it might be dozen
feet deep, but which, in reality, was hardly more
than many inches. Crossing ii, they alighted,
pulling Off their coats and boots, and sat down
quietly to watch for the old Tartar
logging along, at length came up the old fel-
low. lie looked at first AT the youngsters, who
if they had just had a swim-and then he looked at
the broad creek that rolled before him like a
fluent translucent star. The Colonel was awfuly
puzzled
'Is this creek swimming" he growled after a
pause OF some moments
''No reply made--the young men simply
mounted th, ir horses and rode off some little dis
lance, and stopped To watch our hero.
'rhc Colonel slowly Invested himself of boots,
coat, pantaloons, and drawers. These he neatly
tied up in his handkerchief, and hung them the
horn of the saddle, then he re-mouned, and as he
was fat, short man, with paunch of inordinate
size, rather inadequate \ 20, face like withered
apple, and brown wig, there is no doubt he made
interesting picture he bcsuode his steed, with
the breeze holding gentle daance' with the ex-
tremities Of his only garment.
''Slowly and cautiously did the old gentleman
and his horse take the creek. Half length-and
the water not fclock deep. Here the horse
stopped to drink. A length and !. half-and the
stream no deeper! Thirty feet farther, and de-
''Here Colonel D. refined up. There must,
said he, .be H. of swift deep channel between
this and the bank. See how the water runs! We
viii dash through
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'uns announced their
appreciation of the sport as they galloped away.
"'ril catch you, you - rascas,' was ground
between Colonel D--'s teeth; and away he gal
lopod in hot pursuit, muttering vengeance on his
foes.
"On-on-they sped, pursuer and pursued. The
youngsters laughed, yelled, and screamed-thc
Colonel damned with mighty emphasis. while his
shirt uttered and cracked in the wind like loose
flying jib.
"On-on-and the pur5uer reached the farm
house the road side. Their passing startled a
flock Of geese from a fence corner, which, as the
Colonel dashed up, met him with outspread wings,
elongated necks, and Misses dire His horse ed
A ,h.
the ground, in most unromantic heap, with his
brown wig by his side, and his bundle of clothes
scattered around.
1.-The white headed children of the house came
out first, took distant view of the monster-as il
seemed To them-and then returned to report pro-
greas. After little the father of the family came
and the affair being explained assisted the Colonel
in making his toilette; Colonel swearing. and the
countryman laughing all the while.
dressed and mounted, our hero started of with
woful phiz, and was soon out of sight"