The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-04-02

COLONEL CRlcKLEY'S HORSE.

, t,fai feeling OF dislike between the two fam
lilies.
One evening Mr.. Drake, the elder, was re
turning home, With his pocket full Of rocks
from Chicago, whittier he bad bern to dispos
OF load OF grain. Sam Barston was with hin
on The wagon, and as they approached thu grove
which ntervened between thrmand Mr. D. AXE
house, be observed 10 bis companion:
sWhat beautiful shot Col Crckley's old
roam Is, over yondrr2
Hang it" muttered old Drake, so il is
The horse was standing under some trees
about twelve rods from the road.
lagoluntarily, Drake stopped bis team. H.
glanced furtively around, then with a queer
smile the old hnnter took up his rifle from the
bottom of the wagon, and raising it to his shou!-
der, drew sight on the Coonels horse.
'Reautlol muttered Drake, lowering his
rifle with the air Of man resisting powerful
temptation. Il could dropold Roam so easyH
Shoot suggested Sam Barston, who loved
fun in any shape.
No, no, 'twoudn't do said The old hunter,
glancng cautiously around him again.
+ i won'ttell,' sail Sam.
+ sWall. l won't shoot this time, anv way, tell
or no tell. The horse is too nigh If he was
fifty rods OF instead of twelve, so there'd be a
bare possibility Of mstaking him for deer, I'd
let fly. As il is, I'd give the Colonel FIVE dol
lars for shot
At that moment the Colonel himself stepped
from behind bic oak, not half dozen PAGES
distant, and stood before Mr. Drake.
'We!I, why don't you sioot z
lhe.old man stammered out some words in
confusion.
That's you, Colon-l' II was astempted to,
| declare And as | said, I'll give you "
for one pull
Say an X and lis a bargain
Drake felt ofhis rifle, and looked al old Roam
'How much is the horse wuth 2 he muttered
in Sans ear.
'About fifty dollars
'Gad, Colonel, III do IT, Here's your 'X!''
The Colonel took and pocketpd the money,
n1ntterlng, 'hanged if | thought you'd take NE
up
"a E5hf1r III MS Il rffute, sd5r r'5 S ,ruo st,ii
drew close sight al old Roam. Sam Barton
chucked The Colonel put his hands before
bis face and chuckled too.
Crack went the rife TIE hunter lore oui
hofrid OATH, which will not repeat. sam
was asjonshed. The Colonel laughed. Old
Roam never stirred
Drake stared at bis rifle with a face as backI
as O,hello's.
.What's the matter with you, hey? Fusi
time Won ever sarved me such a trick, swan.
And Drake Loaded the piece with great in
dignation and wrath.
sPeopIe said you'd lost yoJr knack O. shootng,'
observed the Colonel in cutting tone Of sat-
ire.
VINO said so It's le' thundered Drake.
j can shoot
a horse al len rods la ha y
Drake was hvd.
Look here, Colonel, can't stand that" he
began.
Never n,iod, The horse can,' sneered the
Colonrl. IN risk you
Grinding his teeth, Drake produced another
ten dollar bill.
Here he growled, I'm bound 10 have an
other shot, any way
Crack away said the CoIonel, Pocketing 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 unntterable aston
ishment of the hunter, old Roam looked him
right in the face, as if he raj her liked the fun.
'Drake,' cried Sam, you're drunk A horse
at a dozen lods-oh, my ey""
sJust shut your mouth, or I'll shoot you ?
thundered the excited Drake.
| sTfe bullet was hollow, I'll swear. The man
! lies that saysI can't shoot. Last week cut of
! a goose's head at fifty rods, and can do it a
gain. Colonel, you can laugh, bot I'll bet now,
! thirty dollars, can bring down old Roam at
one shot,
The wager was readily accepted. The stakes
| were placed in SANS hands Eated with the
idea of winning back his two tens, and making
ten into the bargain, Drake carefully selected
perfect ball, and even buckskin patch, and
loaded the rife.
1t was now nearly dark, but the old hunter
boasted of being able TO shoot hat on the wing
bv starlight, and without hesitation he drew
a clear sight on old Roan's head.
A minute later Drake was driving through
the grove, the most enFagrd, the most desperate
of men. His rifle, innocent victim OF ire, lay
with broken stock in the bottom Of the wagon
Sam Barston was too much frightened 10 laugh
Meanwhile the graified Colonel was rolling or
the ground conyused with mirth, and old Roar
was standing undisturbed under the trees.
When Drake reached home, his two sons
discovering his ill-humor, and the muillatet
condition Of bis rifle stock, FASTENED TO arouse
his spirits with news, which they were sur'
would make him dance with joy.
Clear out 2 growled the old man. dom
want to hear any news get away or I'll anocl
one of you down.
Bot, father, It's such trick played of OF
the Colonel
.On the Colonelp cried the old man, begin
ming TO be interested. Cad, if you've Playe'