Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-03-30
SHOT BETWEEN THE EYES.
BY PAUL cREYToS.


It was in a moment of passion that An
kers leveled his rifle at the head of his
Cog and fired. Tiger stood but three
rods off. the bullet struck him between
the eyes, and he fell dead without a
whine.
1t was on the bank Of a river in Illinois.
Ankers had been out hunting, and owing
to wanlon disobeGieuce in Tiger he had
missed shooting three deers. Tiger would
bark, therefore Ankers would get angry.
and hence the tragic fate OF Tiger.
As soon as the dog was dead Dick re-
peuted. Although he dragged the car
cass into the shade of some bushes on the
edge of the stream, and got his knife rea-
DIV to skin him, his heart failed him and
he wouldn't do it.
Dick sat down on a log, looking sor-
rowrulIy at Tiger, and meditated on the
evil consequence of bad passions. About
half an hour afterwards, his thoughts
were interrupted by report of 4 rifle on
the opposite bank of the river. Looking
through the bushes, he saw his neigEbor,
Major NuLter. standing among some will
lows, loading his rifle. He seemed to be
gazing anxiously at some object on the
same bank with Ankers, further up the
stream.
He has shot something" thought
Dick.
Now the stream was not deep, nor was
it very broad but it had a miry bed
like all the streams which flow through
the rich lake soil of the bottom lands of
the West. Dick knew it was impossible
for the Major to cross without going to
the bridge about half II mile up the river;
and when he saw him depart rapidly in
that direction, heemerged from the bush
ts where he had lain concealed, and mo-
we'd forward to see what the Major had
killed.
1t was n prairie wolf He laid on the
edge of a thicket 1t struck Dick as a
rather singular coincidence, that lie WAS
shot in the head, directly between the
eyes. Ill e poor Tiger. 1t also appeared
to Dick that the wolf looked very much
like the dog. and he wondered ii the Ma
Ior could have distinguished them from
each other across the river.
Whilst ponderinT these matters in his
philosophic mind, Dick-without rehec-
tion upon what he was about, suppose,
dragged Tiger to the spot, and In him
down by the side of his wild brother
Dick looked at them together. At length
Dicks mind became confused, and on
leaving the spot he somehow committed
an unaccountable blunder. In short,
Dick left Tiger where he had found the
wolf and dragged the wolf away. 1t
was singular mistake, and can't eX-
plain it.
With great care Dick concealed the
wolf in some bushes, and, taking circuit
through the woods, came up with MAJOR
Nutter shortly after the latter had crossed
the river.
g Halo, Major! where are you goins
SO fast 2"
'Ha! is that you. Dick?'' cried the
Major. looking around.
WHATS your hurry? Pm going
down the river, but L can't run to keep up
with you
"Oh! I'm in no great hurry; only I've
shot wolf down here"
"Ah! the d you have y
Dicks memory failed him.
Fired across the river" said the Ma
ior. He dropped like log"
"Just so! glad to hear it. But wait
minute and I'll go with YOU"
And Dick began to whistle.
I'm calling my dog. The cur is al
way y luuuluS OA' NC'CL NoA nv '
near me-"
The Major expressed his sympathy
then Dick whistled again. and called at
the top of his voice; but Tiger, although
he was within hearing, did not see tit to
come, and in minute, his master ac-
companied the Major along the bank of
the river.
That cussed dog!" complained Dick;
II wouldn't take twenty dollars for him if
he wouldn't ramble So"
81 had the incest shot in the world at
the VOLT" said the Major. hid in the
opposite bank among the willows, and
the minute he showed his muzzle-pop
down he went"
"Just So" assented Ankers.
As they approached the spot where the
wolf had been shot, Dick fell behind.
"Hurra!" clied the Major, gaily. "there
he lies! 1 swear he hasn't stirred from
the spot where he stood. 1t was good
shot. 1 say. It's at least fifteen rods
across to where 1 stood; and l aimed
right between his eyes. By Jonas"
The Major had approached nearenough
to recognize Tiger. His countenance now
suddenly changed from an expression of
triumph and gayety to one of disappoint-
ment, modification and surprlse-most ri
diculous!
Dick. as we have seen, was very alb
sent minded. Although he glanced at the
Major from beneath his eyebrows, he did