Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-04-23
An Amusing story.
Hooper, of the Montgomery Mat, tells the
following warn:

Hooper. of the Montgomery Mat, tells the
following yarn:
"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 the district. Many of his freaks are yet
fresh in the memory of the old uns' of Mo-
bile-and all will t1lls you that the Colonoel,
though hard to beat, was once terribly taken
in hy couple of legal tyros. 1t is George
Woodward, believe tell the story. but, how
ever that may be- it is in keeping with others
related of the old gentleman.
IL seems that Col. D-had a misuuder
standing with the two gentlemen alluded TO,
and was not on speaking terms with them,
although all three of them were professional
" riding the circuit pretty much together.
The young oles being well aware of the
Colonel's iraScible nature. determ inod, as
they left one of the courts for another, TO have
some sport at his expense 10y the way. They
accordingly got about half AN hours start in
leaving, aud presently they arrived ut
broad, dark stream. that Looked rs if ii might
be a dozen feet deep, but which in reality was
hardly more than as many inches. Crossing
it, they alighted and, pulIing of their coats
aud boots, sat quietly down TO watch for the
old Tartar
jogging along. at length came up the old
fellow. He looked first ut the youngsters,
who were gravely drawing on their boots and
coats as if they had just had II swim, and
then he looked ut the broad creek that rolled
before him like fluent, translucent star.
The Colonel was awiully puzzl d..
Is this creek swimming he growled at
ter pause OF some moments.
No reply was made-the young men
simply mounted their horses, aud rode OF
some little distance, and stopp d to watch
our hero.
1.-The Colonel slowly divetsed Himself Of
boots, coat, plntaloOns and drawers: These
e neatly u,d up in his handkerchief, aud
hung them on tn horn of the saddle, then he
rrmounted, and, as he was short, tat man,
with "A paunch of inOrdlnate size, rather ia
ADEQUATE legs. face Ike a withered apple,
aud brown Wig, there Is no doubt he made
an interesting picture as he bestrode his ste,d d,
with the brc, ze holding gentle dalliance with
the extremity of his only garment.
"SIowly and cautiously the old gentleman
took the creek. Halt a length and the water
WAS not fetluck dc, p. Here the horse stopped
TO drink A leagih and half and the stream
was no deeper Thirty feet farther, and de-
cid d sealing
.-Here Col. D. reigned up. There must,
said he he h-ll OF u swift deep channel be-
| tween this and the bank. See how it runs
| Wen dash thruugh here.'
A sharp lash made the horse spring the
| wutery waste. and another carried tue horse
! and rider safely to the opposite baak. 1ne
| creek was nowhere more IhaH foot dep.
A wild yell from the yoang'uns announced
their appreciation OF the sport As they gallop~ d
away.
I'm catch YOU, you raseais. was ground
between Col. BE- teeth and away he gal
] loped In hot pursuit, matterlng vengeance on
| has foes.
Ga, on, they sped, pursacr and pursued
| The youngsters laugh, d. the Colonel sworc
with mighty emphasis, while his shirt battered
aud cracked In .he wind Ike a loose flying Jlb.
Ca. on, and the parsuer reached the iarns
house ou The road side Their passing startled
a flock Of geese from fence corner, which,
as the Colonel dashed up. mt him with out
| spread wings. elongated nee ks and misses dire.
| liis horse swcrved suddenly, and she Colonel
m moment was on the ground, ia most ro-
| mantle -hcap." with his brown wig lying by
| his side, and the bundle OF clothes scattered
| all aroaud. sfr
The white headed children Of the house
came on first took = distant view Of the mons
| TT, a. Il sevmed 10 them, and then retarned
/ 10 report progress. Amer little while. The
father OF the FAMILY came. and the alalr be-
| Ing explained ASSISTED The Colon, | IN max n !:
his toll ttr I: Colonel swearing aad the coaa-
tryman laughing ali ihe walk. = sfa
Dressed and mounted, cur hero started Oh
with woefal paiz, and MAS sooa Out q sigh .