The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-04-02
-. q M. rilla. .nd ~ lookea D old

Drake felt Of his rifle, and then looked at old
Roam. -,
in Sans ear.
"'Bout fifty"
an a. Il. Colonel, heres your, x
The Colonel pocksted the money muttenng-
"HanRed If / thought you'd take me up
With high Rlee, the old hunter put q fresh
can On his rifle, stood up in bis wagon, and drew
: elose siebt on old Roam. Sam Barstou chuck
la. T6e Colonel. put bis hands before bis face
and chuckled too.
aCrack n went the rifle. The hunter tore
out horrid oath, which will not repeat. Sam
was astonished. The Colonel laughed. Oid
Roam never stirred.
Drake ,arted az bis rifle With face as black
as 0thellO'S.
"Whats the matter with you, heyi Fus'
time you ever served me such trick, swan :
Aud Drake loaded his piece with great wrath
and indignation.
People said you'd lost your neck o shoot
ing" observed the Colonel, in cutting tone Of
satire
"WhO said sos its a isl'' thundered Drake 81
can shO0t--"
"a horse ten rods ha / ha | hal"
Drake was livid.
= "LOOk yere; Colonel, ] can't stand that !" he
begsn.
sNsvsr mind, the hOras can" snsesed the
Colonel "I'll risk you.
Grinding bis teath Drake produced another
ten dollar bill.
"!Here' he growled, "I'm bound to have
another shot any way"
Crack away" cried the Colonel, pOcketing
the note.
Drakedid crack away--WIth deadly aim toe
but the horse did not mind the bullet in the
least. To the range and utter astonishment o.
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 eyeP'
"Just you shut your mouth, or I'll shoot you'll
thundered the excited Drake. "The bullet wal
hallow, I'll swear. The man lies who says
can't shoot. Last week cut off Roose's head
at fifteen rods, aud ken do it again. By the old
Harry, Colonel, you can laugh, but I'll bet nov
thirty dollars; can bring down your old Roar
at one shot"
The wager was rapidly accepted. The stake
were placed in Sans hands Elated with thl
idea Of winning back his two tens, aud making
an X in the bargain, Drake carefully selected
q perfect ball and buckskiu patch, and beadet
his rifle.
1t was nearly dark, but he old hunter boast
ed Of being able to shoot bat on the wing b!
starlight, and without any hesitation, he drew
clear sight on old Roam head.
minute later Drake was driving througl
the grove, the most enraged, the most desperat
Of men. His rifle innocent victim Of his ire
lay with broken stock on the bottom Of bis we
gOu. Sam Barston was too much frightened
laugh Meanwhile the Colonel was rolling OF
the ground eonVulsed with mirth, and old ROai
was standing under the tree.
When Drake reached home, his two sons dis
covered his ill-humor, and the mutilated condi
ton Of the rifle stock, they fastened to arOus
} bis spirits with piece Of news which they Wer
} sure would make him dance for Joy.
''Clear out l' groWled the angry old man.
81 don't want to hear the news, get out Of th
: way, or shall knock one Of you down ''
; "But father, its such trick II
"Blsst you and your tricks lP'
: Played on the Colonel"
u. "0n the COlonel7" cried the old man, begiI
5 ing to be interested. Ifyou've played the Co
:, Onel a trick, less hear it."
"Well, father, Jed and this afternoon We
J, out for deer"
n Hang the deer come to the trick"
+ Couldn't find any deer, but thought we mu
d shoot something, 50 Jed banged away at Il
10 COlOnel's old Roan--shOt him dead !"
: "Shot old Roam I" thundered the old huntC
t, 'By the old Harry, Jed did you shoot the CC
e Onel's hoss9"
Il 81 didn't do Onything else"
"Sold BY thunder 70 exclaimed old Drake.
d "And then" pursued Jed, confident that t
t, Joke part Of the story must please his faith
st ''Jim and prOpped the hOss up, and tied
n head back with a cord, and left him standi
y under the trees, exactly as il he was alive. 4
+ ha Fancy the Colonel going to catch him !
e ho want jOkef"
lie Old brakes head fell upon his breast.
ID felt Of his empty POcket-beok, and looked
as his rifle. Then in rHSful tone he whispered
T. the boys
a. ait joke But if you ever tell Of it,
re II you do, Sam BarstOn--I'l II skin you alive
A. By the old Harry boys, I've been shooting
that dead horse half an hour, at ten dollari
shot -
At that moment Sam fell in the gutter. ]
dragged him out insensible. Sam had laugh
himself almost to death