Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-04-07
Colonel Criokley's Horse.

hve years and from their first acqualn-
tance there had been mutual feeling Of
dislike between the two families,
One evening Mr.. Drake, the elder was
returning home, with his pocket full of
rocks" from Chicoga, wither he had been
to dispose of a load of grain. Sam Bar
ston was with him on the wagon, and as
they approached the grove which inter.
yened between them and Mr.. brakes
house. he observed to his companions
What beautiful shot Col. Crickley's
oldssroa is over yonder ?"
Hang t" muttered old Drake $50 it
is"
The horse was standing under some
trees about twelve rods from the road.
lnvoluntarily, Drake stopped his team.
He glanced furtively around, then with a
queer smile the old hunter took up his ri
tle from the bottom of the wagon, and
raising it to his shoulder, drew sight on
the Colonel's horse.
Beautiful ~ muttered Drake, lowering
his rifle with the air of a man resisting a
/ powerful temptation. II could drop old
Roam So easy"
shoot" suggested Sam Barston, who
loved fun in any shape.
"No no 'twouldn't do" said the old
hunter, glancing cautiously around him a.
gain.
Il won't tell, said Sam
well, won't shoot this time, any way,
tel. or no tell. The horse is too nigh. If
he was fifty rods off instead of twelve so
that there'd be bare possibility of mis-
/ taking him for a deer, I'd let fly. As it is,
I Il Il i G.,
At that moment the Colonel himself
stepped from big oak, not half dozen
PAGES distant, and stood before Mr.. Drake
well, why don't shoot?"
The old man stamered out some words
in confusion.
That's you, Colonel? II was TENT
ed to, ! declare! And as said; III give
you w for one pull"
"Say an * and it's bargin :"
Drake felt of his rifle, and looked at the
old horse.
How much is the horse worth ?" he
muttered in Sans ear.
rAbout fifty dollars"
2"Gad, Colonel, I'll do it. So here's
your X ~
The Colonel took and pocketed the
money, muttering, hanged il | thought
you'd take me up"
With high glee the old hunter put a
fresh cap on his rife, stood up in his wag-
Sam Bars ton chuckled. The Colonel put
his hands before his face and chuckled
too.
Crack !" went the rife The hunter
tore out horrid oath, which | will not
repeat. Sam was astonished. The Colonel
laughed. Old Roam never stirred.
Drake stared at his rifle with face as
black as Othello's
whats the matter with YOU, hey p
Fust time you ever sarved mesuch a trick,
| swan"
And Drake loaded the piece with great
indignation and wrath.
People said you'd lost your knack O.
shooting" observed the Colonel, in cut
ting tone of satire.
"Who said so? It's lie!" thundsred
Drake. II can shoot"
"A horse at ten rods ha hap
Drake was livid.
Look here, Colonel, l can't stand
that r' he began.
Never mind the horse can" sneered
the Colonel. "Ill risk you"
Grinding his teeth, Drake produced an
other ten dollar bill.
Here" he grow!ed, I'm bound to have
another shot, any way"
Crack away" said the Colonel, pock
citing the note.
Drake did crack away--with deadly
aim, too-but the horse did not mind the
bullet in the least. To the rage and un-
utterable astonisbment of the hunter, old
Roam looked him right in the face as if he
rather liked the fun.
Drake" cried Sam, you're drunk =
horse at dozen rods-oh, my eyew
"Just shut your mouth, or I'll shoot
you !" thundered the excited Drake.
"The bullet was hollow, I'll swear
The man lies that says ! can't shoot
Last week cut off a goose's head at fifty
rods, and | can do il again. Colonel, you
can laugh, but I'll bet now, thirty dollaLs,
! can bring down old Roam at one shot"
The wager was readily accepted. The
stakes were placed in Sans hands. Ella
ted with the idea of winning back his two
tens, and making ten into the bargin,
Drake carefully selected a perfect ball, G.
ven buckskin patch, and loaded the rifle
1t was now nearly dark, but the old
hunter boasted Of being able to shoot bat
on the wing by starlight and without hes.
itation he drew clear sight on old Roan's
head.
A minute later Drake was driving
through the grove, the most enraged, the
most desperate OF men. His rife, inno-
cent of ire, lay with broken stock in the
bottom Of the wagon. Sam Barston was
( too much frightened to laugh. Mean.
while the gratifed Colonel was rolling on
the gronnd convulsed with mirth, old
Roam was standing undisturbed under the
/ trees.
When Drake reached home, his two
sons. discovering his ill.humor, and the
w1'il''ed condition of hi- r.i. stock hast.
C.r'ta -du-s Die spirits vithn news, winch
they w.H sasa would make him dance
w.luIaY