Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-05-21

there had Deen Ieeil0g utStlke De-
tween the two families. Then some misunderstand- I
ing about the boundary of their respective farms
yealed the latent flame, and Col. Crckley having
followed fat buck all one afternoon and wounded
him, came up to him, and found old Drake and his
sons cutting him up. This incident added fuel to
the FIRE. and from that time there was nothing the
two families did not do to annoy each other They
sho, each others ducks in the river. purposey mista
king them for wild and then by way of retala
tion commenced killing each others pigs and calves
One evening, Mr. Drake. the elder, was returning
home with his pocket full of rocks" from Chica-
60 where be had been 10 dispose of load of grain
Sam Barston was with him on the wagon. and as
they approached the grove which interviewed between
them and MIR. brakes house, he observed to bis
companion
What beautiful mark Colonel Crickley's old
roam is yonder 70
Hang ill., muttered old Drake. +" so it is
The horse was standing under some trees, about
| twelve rods from the road.
! Involuntarily, Drake stopped bis team. He CLAN
ced furtively around. then with queer smile the
old hunter took up his rife from the bottom of the
wagon. and raising it to his shoulder, drew sight
on the Colenels horse.
Beautiful! ' muttered Drake, lowering his rife
with the air of man resisting powerful tempta-
ton. :: / could drop old roam so easy"
"Shoot," suggested Sam Barston who loved fun
in any shape.
No, no, It wouldn't, do said the old hunter,
glancing cautiously around him again.
IL won't tell" said Sam
| :Wal. won't shoot this time any way. tell or no
tell. The horse is too nigh. If he was fifty rods
off instead Of twelve thered be bare possibility
of mstaking him for deer I'd let hy As it is, I'd
give the Colonel FIVE dollars for shot, s
At that moment, the Colonel himself stepped from
behind big oak, not half dozen PAGES distant; and
stood before MIR. Drake.
We'll, why don't you shoot"
The old man stammered in some confusion-'that
you, Colonel! II was tempted to, declare And,
as said. I'll give q for one pull"
" Say an x, and it's bargain !"
Drake felt of his rife. and looked at old Roam.
&c How much is the boss with o. he muttered in
Sans ear.
"About fifty"
"Gad, Colonel, I'll do it! Here's your X.''
The Colonel pocketed the money muttering-
& Hanged if thought you'd take up'
With high glee. the old hunter put fresh cap on
sight old Roam Sam Barston chuckled The
Colonel put his hand before his face and chuckled
too.
"Crack ~ went the rife. The hunter tore out 81
horrid oath. which will not repeat Sam was as
tonished. The Colonel laughed. Old Roam never
stirred. Drake stared at his rife with face black
as Othellos.
whats the matter with you, hey? Fuss time
you ever served me quite such trick, | swan ~
And Drake loaded the piece with great wrath and
ndignation
People said you'd lost your mack O. shooting
observed the Coloue, in a cutting tone of satire.
/ ':Who said so! It's a lie Numbered Drake.
q can shoot
"a horse at ten rods! ha ha!
Drake was liyid
'Look yere Colonel l can't stand that !" be
began.
'.Nerer mind. the horse can," sneercd the Colonel
''Fll risk YOU
Grinding his teeth. Drake produced another ten
dollar bill.
''Here!" he growled, 81 am bound to have another
shot any way
':Crack away" cried the Colonel, pocketing the
note.
Drake did crack away-wth deadly aim, too
but the horse did not mind the bullets in the least
To the rage and unutterable establishment of the
hunter. old roam looked him right in the face as il
he rather liked the fun.
' Drake cried Sam YOU re drunk A horse at
dozen rods-oh my eyes ~
Just you shut your mouth or I'll shoot you =
; thundered the excited Drake. The bullet bol
low. I'll swear The man lies that says can't shoot
Last week cut off gooses head at fifty rods, and
kin dew it again. By the Lord Harry, Colonel you
kin laugh but I'll bet now thirty dollars bring
old Roam at one shot"
The wager was readily accepted the stakes
placed in Sans hands. Elated with the idea Of
winning back his two tens and making an X into
the bargain Drake carefully selected perfect ball
and even buckskn patch. and beaded his rifle.
1t nearly dark, but the old hunter boast
ed of being able to shoot bat on the wing by
. starlight, and without hesitation he drew clear
A minute later, Drake driving through the
grove. the most enraged the most desperate Of men
His rifle, innocent victim of his ire, lay with broker
stock or the bottom of the wagon. Sam Barstor
. was too much frightened to laugh. Meanwhile, the
! gratifed Colonel was rolling the ground, convus
ed with mirth and old Roam was standing unds
turbed under the trees
;. When Drake reached home. his two sons, discov
ering his i'll humor and the muilated condition o
the rife stock, fastened to his spirits with
piece of news which they were sure would make hin
O dance for joy.
3" Clear out" growled the angry old man, don
want to hear any news; get away, or I'll knock on
of you down.
" But, father it's such nice trick !"
o Is Blast you and your tricks'
e Played off on the Colonel''
re 'On the Colonel o. cried the old man, beginnn,
to be interested. " Cad. if you've played the Colo
!, mel trick, lets hear it.'
WELL father, Jed and I, this afternoon, wen
out for deer r.
n " Hang the deer--come to the trick"
e couldn't find any deer, but thought we mus
tt shoot something Jed banged away at the Colo
nel's old Roan-shot him dead y
''Shot old Roam g.: thundered the hunter. :'B
- the Lord Harry, Jed did you shoot the Colonel
;" boss g
81 81 didn't do anything else"
Devil devil !" groaned the hunter.
n "And them" pursued Jed confident the joke par
r of she story must please his father, Jim and prop
e ped the boss up and tied bis head back with cord
and left him standing under the trees exactly as
it he was alive. Ha! ha fancy the Colonel going t
N catch him ! no! by no! no! ho!-wont it be
y joke o.
E. Old brakes head fell upon his breast. He felt