Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1852-07-03
Gnn1or0ns.
COLONEL CRICKLEY;S HORSE.

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COLONEL CRICKLEY:S HORSE.
We have never bccn able to ascer-
tain the origin of tho quarrel between
tho Crickley's and the brakes. They
had lived within mile Of each other
in illinois, for five years, and from the
first of their acquaintance, there had
bccn a mutual feeling Of dislike be-
tween the two families. Then some
misunderstanding about the bounda.
ry Of their respective farms, revealed
the latent hame, and Col. Crickey
once followed fat buck all one alter
noon, and wounded him, at last came
up to him and found old Drake and
his sons cutting him up! This Incl.
dent added fuel to the fire, and from
that time there was nothing that the
two families did not do to annoy each
other. They shot each others ducks
in the river, purposely mistaking them
for wild ones, and then, by way Of re-
taliation, commenced killing off each
others pigs and calves.
One evening, Mr.. Drake the elder,
was returning homie with his "pockct
full of rocks" from Chicago, whittier
he had been to dispose of a load Of
grain. Sam Barston was with him on
the wagon, and as they approached
tho grove that interviewed between
them and Mr.. brakes house, he OBJ
served to his companion
"What n beautiful mark Col. Crick
ley's old Roan'is over yonder!"
"Hang it," muttered old Drake
$50 it is.
The horse was standing under some
trees about twelve rods from the road
Involuntarily, Drake stopped his
team. He glanced furtively around
then with aqucer smile the oldhuntel
took up his rifle from the bottom of the
wagon, and raising it to his shoulder
drew sight on the Coloncl's horse
Beautiful !" muttered Drake, low
ering his rifle with an air of a man
resisting powerful temptation. al
could drop old Roam so easy!''
"Shoot," suggested Sam Barston,
who loved fun in any shape.
mo, no, -twouldn'nt do,'A said the
old hunter,glancing cautiously around
him again. .
"I won't tcll," said Sam.
"Wal, I wont shoot this time, any
way, tell or no tell. The horse is toe
nigh. If he was fifty rods off, instead
Of twelve, so there'd be a bare posi-
hili,y of mistaking him for deer, II
let fly. AS it is, I would willingl,
give the Colonel five dollars for
Shot"
At that moment the Colonel him
self stepped from behind big oak
not half dozen pacos distant, ant
stood before Mr.. Drake.
"Well, why don't you shoot!"
The old man stammcred, in som,
confusion
"That you, Colonel? II wa
trmpted To- | declared And as SAID
III give u W for one pull"
"say an X and lisa bargain"
Drake felt of his rifle, and locke
, at old Roam.
"How much is the hoss worth 7" h
) muttcred in Sans ear.
, "About fifty"
! "Gad, Colonel, III do it! Here
your 'N'"
) The Colonel pocketcd tho none,
: muttering-
!, Hanged if I thought you'd tax
= : me up"
! With high glee, the old hunter p,
, a fresh cap on bis rifle, stood up il
his wagon, and drew a close sight o.
> > old Roam. Sam Barston chuckled.-
. The Colonel put his hand before hi
/ face and chuckled too.
Crack went the rifle. The hunto
tore out q, horrid oath, which we wi
not repeat. Sam was astonishcd.-
The Colonel laughed. Old Roam di
mot stir!