Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-07-13
Mtsrellaleolis
COL. CRICKLEY's HORSE.

l have never been able to ascertain the
cause OF the quarrel between the Crickley's
and The brakes. They had lived within a mile
OF each other in Illinois for FIVE years, and
from their FIRST acquaintance, there had been
mutual feeling Of dislike between the two
families. Then some misunderstanding about
the boundary OF their respective farms, reveal
ed the latent flame, and Col. Crickley having
followed lame buck all one afternoon and
wounded him, came up TO him and found old
Drake anl his sons cutting him up! Tfis in
cident added fuel TO the fire, and from that
time there was nothing the two families did
not do to annoy each other They shot each
others ducks in the river, purpose!y mst'king
them for wild ones, and then by way OF retail
iation, commenced killing OF each others pigs
and calves.
One evening Mr.. Drake the elder, was re-
turning home with his "poeket full Of rocks"
from Chicago, whittier he had been TO dispose
OF a load of grain. Sam Barton was with him
on the wagon, and as they approached the
grove which interviewed between them and
Mr.. Droke's house, lie observed to his compan-
ion:
"What beautiful mark Col. Crickleys's old
Roam is over yonder 7"
"Hang it p muttered old Drake, $50 it is"
The horse was standing under some trees,
about twelve rods from the road.
Invouutarily, Drake stopped his team. He
glanced furtiyely around, then with queer
smile the old hunter took up his rife from the
bottom of the wagon, and raising 1t TO his
shoulder, drew sight on the ColonePs horse
beautiful |" mutLered Drake lowering his
rifle with the air of a man resisting power
ful temptation. 81 could drop old Roam sc
easyp
''Shoot," suggested Sam Barton, who love(
fun in any shape.
"No, no, 'twouldn't do" said the old hun.
ter, glancing cautiously around him again.
v"l won't tel," said Sam.
''Wal, won't shoot this time, any way
tell or no tell. The horse is too nigh. If ht
was,fif.y rods of instead of twelve, so there't
be bare possibility Of miStaking him for I
deer, I'd let fly. AS it is, I'd give the Colo
mel five dollars for shot"
At that moment the Colonel himself step
ped from behind big oak, not half dozeI
PAGES distant. and stood before Mr.. Drake.
"Well, why don't you shoot I"
The old man slammered in some words II
confusion:
"That you Colonel. IL was tempted to
declare! And as said, I'll give you a'V' 70
one pull"
'Say an * and IFS bargainw
Drake felt OF his rife, and looked at. oil
Roam:
"How much is the hoss wuth'" he muttere
in Sans ear.
"About $780,"
''Gad, Col, I'll do it. Here's your * p"
The Colonel, took and pocketed the money
muttering-
"EIanged if | thought you'd take me up"
With high glee, the old hunter put fres
cap on his rife, stood up in his wagon, an
drew close sight at old Roam. Sam Barto
chuckled. The Col. PIT his hanG before hi
face and chdckled too.
.'CrackW went the rife. The hunter tol
out horid oath, which will not repeat,-
Sam was astonished. Pie Colonel laughe,
Old Roam never stirred.
Drake starred at his rifle with face
black as 0thello's.
whats the matter with you, hey! Flu
time you ever sayed me quite such trick,
swan ~ lsi s.itl5
And Drake loaded the piece with gre
wrath and Indignation. gt -
"People said you'd lost your mack o. shoe
ing, observed the Colonel in, cutting toI
Of satire.
"Who saidFsoi It's lie ~ thunder
Drske. 81 can shoot
ba "a horse al ten rods ha | hap
Drake was livid. sEs5f
e "Lookyere Colonel, | ean'tstand thatp
began,
HNevef mind, the horse cam sneered I
Col, "I'll risk you.n
Grinding his teeth, Drake produced anotl
ten dollar bill.