The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-26
An Am using story.


Hooper, the editor Of an Alabama jour
nal, whose name We just now forget, but
which has always something in it to make US
laugh, tells the following capital yarn:
| Shall tell yos bit Of 4 story having no
connection With politics, this hot dry wealth
erl BY permission
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 quantities,
which were fully appreciated by the people
Of the district. Many Of his freaks are fresh,
in the memory Of the "o!d uns' Of Mobile
and all Of them will tell you that the Colo
mel, though hard to beat, was once terribly
taken in BY couple Of legal tyros, 1t is
George Wood dward, l believe, tells the story;
but however that may be, it is in keeping
with Others related Of the old gentleman.
4. seems that Col. D--had misun-
derstanding with the two gentlemen alluded
to, and was not on speaking terms with
them, although oil three Of them were pro-
fsssiouAlly riding the circuit pretty much to-
g-ther. The young ones being we'll aware
Of the Colo nel's rrssc,bls nature, determined,
~ they left one Of tho courts to 60 to anoth-
or. to have % me sport at his expense by the
wav.
They accordingly got about half an hours
start ia leaving, and presently they arrived
at broad, dark suearn, that looked az if it
might be dozen feet deep. but which, in
reality, was hardly more than as many inch
e~.-Crossing it, they sIighted and pulling
of their coats and boots, sat down quietly TO
watch for the old Farther
Jogging along, at length came up the old
fellow. lie looked 6r t at the youngsters
WHO we're graveiy drawing on their boots
and coats, as if they had just had swim,
and then he looked at the broad creek that
rolled before him like . fluent translucent
star. The Col. wa awfully puzzled.
is this creek swimmingr he growled, after
. pause Of u few moments.
No reply was made-ths young men
simply mounted their horses and rode off
some little distance, aud then stopped to
watch our hero
The Colonel slowly divested himself Of
boots, pantaloons aud drawer..--These ho
neatly tied up in his handkerchief, and hung
them on the horn Of his saddle, and then
he remounted, and rs he was fat, short
men, with paunch ofinordnate size, rather
inadequate legs, face like a withered APP
pie, and brown wig, there is no doubt that
he made an interesting picture as he be-
strobe his steed, with tho breeze holding
gentle dalliancs with the extremity rof his
only garment.
Slowly and cautiously did the old gentle
IAN taka fha crnaL Hale 1ao~tb al I.~
water was not fetlock deep. Here the horse
stopped to drink. A length and half, and
he stream no deeper! Thirty feet farther,
and decided shoalingl
Here Col D--reined up. There
must said he, be HI of swift deep
channel between this and the bank. See
low it runs. We will dash through here
A sharp lash made the horse spring tho
Sstery waste, and another carried the horse
'nJ rider safely to the opposite bank. Tie
'reek was nowhere more than foot deep.
A wild yell from the young uns announc-
ID their appreciation Of the sport as they
,allorped away.
'l'll catch you, you id rascals,' was
round between Col. DIS teeth; AVID
way he galoped in hot pursuit, muttering
engenco on his foes.
On, on, they sped, pursuer and pursued.
The youngsters laughed, yelled and screamed,
he Colonel damned with mighty emphasis,
While his shirt fluttered and cracked in tho
lind like loose f!yingjib.
On, on, aud the pursued reached farm
ouso on the road side. Their passing star
led a flock of geese from fence corner,
'hich, AS the Colonel dashed up, met him
nth outspread wings, elongated necks, and
isses dire His horse swerved suddenly,
nd in moment the Colonel wss upon tho
round, in most unromantic heap, with
is brown wig lying by his side, and his
undIe of clothes scattered all around.
The white-headed children, came out first,
,ok distan. view OF tho monster, as he
'ened to them, and then returned to re-
ort progress. After little, the father Of
he family came, and the affair being ex-
aimed, assisted the Colonel in making his
le,,e; the Colonel swearing, and the couu-
lyman laughing all the while.
Dressed and mounted. our hero started off
iih woeful phz, and was very soon ou.
sight.
ET Said old Mrs. Philanthropy the 9th.