Litchfield enquirer., 1857-10-22
Col. Crickley's Horse.

ehSu uio1 dSuudIutdHCc, LucFe udu Uccu d uu tual feeling of dislike between the two fami lies.
 One evening Mr. Drake the elder, was re turning home with his "pocket full of rocks, from Chicago, whther he had b. en to dispose of load of grain. Sam Bars1on was witl him on the wagon, and as they approached the grove which intervened between them aud Mr Drake's house, he observed to his companion "What a beautiful shot Col CrckIey's old Koan IS over wonder !'
 Hang it !' muttcred old Drake, 50 it is"
 The horse was standing under some trees about twelve rods from the road.
 lnvountary Drake stopped hs team. H. glanced lurtive!y around, then with a queer smile the old hunter took up his rifle from the bottom of the wagon, and raising it to his shoulder, drew sight on the Colonel's horse.
 Beautiful p muttered Drake, lowering his rifle with the air of a man resisting powerful temptation. "I could drop old Rsan so easy"'
 Shcot," suggested Sam Barston, who lov- ed fun in any shape
 No, no, 'twoullnt do" said the old hunt CT gIancing cautiously around him again.
 won't tell" said Sam. Wal, l won't shoot this time, any how tell or no tell The horse is too nigh If he was fifty rods off instead of twelve, SO thcred be bare possibility of mistaking him for a deer, I'd let fly. AS it is, I'd give the Colo e five dollars for shot"
 At that moment the Colonel himself stepped from bth"d a big oak, not half dozen paces distant, and stood before Mr. Drake
 Well, why don't you shoot 2" The old man stamnered in some words in confusion:
 That you, Colonel IT was tempted declare And as l said, I'll give you a " for one pull"
 Say an K and it's bargain
 Drake felt of his rifle, and looked at old 1 Roan.
 How much is the hoss wuth ," he nut tered in Sam's ear
 About $50"
 "Gad, Colonel, I'll do it. Here's your 'Xv"
 The Colonel took and pocketed the money muttering-
 Hanged if thought you'd take me up" 1 With high glee, the old hunter put a fresh cap on his rife, stood up in his wagon, and drew close sight at old Roan. Sam Bars ton chucked. The Colonel put his band be- fore his face and chucked too.
 "Crack p went the Ar The hunter tore out a horrid oath, which l will net rep, at Sam was rstoniShed. The Colonel laughed 0 k 1an never stirred.
 Dr.kt stared at his rifle with face as black as Othello's.
 "Whats the matter with you, hey? Fust 1 time you ever surved me quite such a trick, swaDy
 And Drake loaded the piece with great wrath and indignation.
 People said you'd lost your knack O shooting" observed the Colonel in cutting tone of satire. "Who said SO? It's lie v thundered Drake. I can Sloet'-
 "A horse at ten rods Ina ha 2"
 "Look here, Colonel, can't stand that v he began
 Never mind, the horse can,' sneered the Colonel "PIl risk you.'
 Grinding his teeth, Drake produced anoth, er ten dollar bill.
 "Kcrc," he grow'ed, Il am bound to have a1other shot any way"
 Crack away" cried the Colonel pocket ing the note.
 Drake did crack away-with deadly aim too-but the horse did not miud the bullet i the least To the rage and unutterable aston iShmen, of the hut ter, old Roan looked hin right in the face, as if he rather liked the fun
 Drake,' cried Sam, "youre druak A horse at a dozen rods ?-oh, my eye .' "Ju>t shut your mouth, or I'll swear. Tho man lies that says l can't shoot /! Last wetl : cut off goose's head at fifty rods, aud : can do 1t again. Colonel, you can laugh, bu I'll bet now, thirty dollars, can bring dowl old Roan at one shot. The wager was readily accepted Tn stakes were placed in Sans hands. Ela:e, with the idea of winning back his two tchS and making K into the bargain, Drak carefully selected perfect ball. aud evel buckskin butch, and headed the rifle. It was now nearly dark, but the old huhte boasted of being able to shoot bat on th wing by starlight and without hesitation h. drew clear sight on old Roan's head.
 X minute later, Drake was driving througl r the grove the most euraged, the most despe 0 rate of men. His rifle, innocent victim of hi F. ire, lay with broken stock on the bottom c ), the wagon. Sam Barston Was too much frigh, d ened to laugh. Meanwhile the gratifcd Colo 1T nel was rolling on the ground convulSed wit $ mlrth, and old Roan was standing undsturbe
 under the trces.
 When Drake reached home, his two sor d discovered his i'll humor, and mutilatcd cond v tion of his rife stock, hastcred to arouse h n spirits with news@which they were sure woul e make him dance for joy. rs "Clear out r grew!ed the angry old man ,r 1" don't want to hear any news get ava,
 or shall knock one of you down v
 But, father, it's such 8 trick played of C z the Colonel p ;, "Ou the Colonel :'' cried the old man,