Georgetown weekly news., 1855-04-26
The Res Gestae.
Il. A. DAVENPORT
A POOR JOKE.

Old Col. D., of the Mobile District, was
| one of the most singular characters ever
known in Alabama. He was testy and &C.
centric, but possessed many fine qualities,
which were fully appreciated by the people
OF his district. Many of his freaks are still
fresh in the memory of the "old 'uns" of
Mobile; and all Of them will tell you, that
the Colonel, though hard to beat, was once
terribly taken in by couple of legal tyros.
1t Is George Woodward, l believe, that tells
the story; but, however that may be, it is
in keeping with others related Of the old
gentleman.
1t seems that Col D. had a misunder-
standing with the two gentlemen alluded to
and was not on speaking terms with them,
although all of the three were riding the
circuit together The young ones, being
well aware of the ColoneI's irascible nature.
determined, as they left one of the courts
for another, to have some sport at his ex-
pense by the way. They accordingly got
about half an hours start in leaving, and
presently they arrived at a broad, dark
stream that looked as if it might be a dozen
feet deep, but which, in reality, was hardly
more than as many inches Crossing it,
they alighted, pulled off their coats and
boots, and sat down quietly to wait for the
'old Tartar
jogging along, at length, up came the old
fellow. He looked first at the Youngsters
who were gravely drawing on their boots
and coats, as If they lad had a swim and
then be looked at the broad creek that rolled
before him like fluent translucent tar. The
Colonel was awtully puzzled
''1s this plaguy creek swimming?" he
growled, after pause Of some moments.
No reply was made. The young men
simply mounted their horses, and riding
OF some little distance, stopped to watch our
hero.
The Colonel slowly divested himself of
boots, coat, pantalOons and drawers. These
he neatly tied up in his silk handkerchief.
and hung them on the horn of the saddle.
Then he remounted, and as he was a fat,
short man, with a paunch of inordinate size,
rather inadequate legs, a face like wither-
ed apple, and brown wig, there is no
doubt that he made an interesting picture
as then bestrode his steed with the "breezes
ties of his only garment.
Slowly ond cautiously did the old gentle
man and his horse take the creek. Half a
length-the water was not foot-lock deep
Here the horse stopped to drink. A length
and half-and the stream no deeper I.
Thirty feet further, and a decided s4oallng! !
Here Col. d. reined up. "There must, y
he said, "be laundering swift, deep chan
mel between this and the bank-see how the
water runs Well dash through!
A sharp lash made the horse spring half
oyer the remainder Of the "watery waste:'
and another carried the horse and rider
safely to the opposite bank The creek was
nowhere more than foot deep.
A wild yell from the ''young 'uns," an
nounced their appreciation of tie sport, as
they galloped away
III catch you, you young rascalsp' was
ground out between Col, DIS teeth; and
away he galloped in hot pursuit, muttering
dreadful vengeance on his fugitive foes.
On-on-they sped "pursuer and pur-
Sued-" The youngsters laughed yelled
screamed-the Colouel swore with mighty
emphasis, while his shirt futtered and crack
cd IN the wind like loose ffying-jib.
On ON land the pursued reached a
farmhouse on the road side. Their passing
startled flock of geese in a fence corner,
wnlch, as the Colonel dashed up, met him
win out-spread wings. elongated necks, and
alSses dne. His horse swerved suddenly.
ana In a moment the Colonel wac unon tho