Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-06-23
SWIMMING A CREEK.

SWIMMING A CREEK.
Hooper, the editor of an Alabama journal,
the name of which we now forget, but which
has always something in it to make us laugh,
tells the following yarn:
Shall tell you bit of story, having no
connection with politics, this hot, dry wealth
err? BY permission
Old Col. D., of the Mobile District was
one of the most singular characters ever known
in Alabama. He was testy and eccentric, but
had many fine qualities, which were fully APP
preciated by the people of the district. Many
of his freaks are still fresh in the memory of
the sold uns'' of Mobile, and all will tell that
the Col, though hard to beat, was once terri
bly, taken IN by couple of legal tyros. Gen.
Woodward, believe, tells the story, but how
ever that may be, it is in keeping with others
related of the old gentleman.
1t seems that Col. d. had misunderstand-
ing with the two gentlemen alluded to, and
was not on speaking terms with them, although
all three of them were professionally riding
the same circuit together. The young ones,
being well aware of the Coils irascibe ma
ture, determined, when they left one of the
courts for another, to have some fun by the
way at his expense. They accordingly got a
bout half an hours start in leaving, and pres
emily they arrived at dark, broad stream that
looked as if it might be a dozen feet deep, but
in reality not more than that many inches.
Crossing it, they alighted, and pulling off their
old ssTMtar.''
Jogging along, at length came up the old
fellow. He looked first at the youngsters, who
were grayely drawing on their coats and boots,
as if they had just had a swim, and then look
ed at the broad creek that rolled before him
like translucent star. The Col. was awfully
puzzled
sIs this creek swimming deep? ?'' he growl-
ed after pause of some moments.
No reply was made-the young men simply
mounted their horses, and rode off some little
distance, and stopped to watch our hero.
The Col. slowly divested himself of coat,
boots, pantaloons and drawers. These he nice
ly tied up in his handkerchief and hurg them
on the horn of his saddle, then remounted,
and as he was short, fat man, with paunch
OF rather inordinate size, rather inadequate
legs, face like a withered apple, and 4 brown
wig, there is no doubt that he made an inter.
esting appearance as he bestrode his steed,
with the breeze holding gentle dailiance with
the extremity of his only garment.
Slowly and cautiously the old gentleman
took the creek. Half length and the water
was not a foot deep. Here the horse stopped
to drink. A length and 4 half, and the creek
was no deeper. Thirty feet farther, and a de-
cided shoaling. Here Col. d. refined up.
stThere must" said he, s'be an awfully deep
channel between this and the bank-see how it
runs. Well dash through here.''
A sharp lash made the horse spring the wat
cry 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 announced
their appreciation of the sport as they galloped
away.
ssIll catch you, you - rascals,' - was ground
between Col. DPS teeth, and away he galloped
in hot pursuit, muttering vengeance on his
foes.
On they sped. The youngsters laughed, and
the Col. cursed with mighty emphasis, while
his shirt fluttered and cracked in the breeze
like loose flying jib.
On, on. and the pursued reached n farm
house on the road side. Their passing started
a flock of geese from fence corner, which,
as the Col. rushed up, met him with out
stretched wings, elongated necks, and Kisses
dire. His horse swerved suddenly, and the
Col. was on the ground in a most unromantic
heap, with his brown wig lying by his side,
and the bundle of clothes scattered around.
The white headed children of the house
came out first, took a distant view of the mon-
ster, as it seemed to them, and then returned
to report progress. After little the father of
the family came and the affair being explain
ed, assisted the Col. to make his toilatte-the
Col. swearing, and the countryman laughing
all the while.
Dressed and mounted, our hero started off
with woeful phiz, and was soon out of sight.
WAKE MoNEY.-A good looking Irishman