Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-06-15

Hooper, the editor of an Alabama journal
whose name we forget, but which has always
something in it to make us laugh, tells the fol-
Shall tell you bit of story, having no con
nection with politics, this hot, dry weather p
BY permission
Cd Col. D, of the Mobile District, was
one of the most singular characters ever known
in Alabama. He was testy and eccentric, 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
"olG uns" of Mobile. And all will tell that the
Colonel, though hard to beat, was once terribly
taken in by couple of legal tyros. Geo. Wood
word, believe, tells the story, but however that
may be, it is in keeping with the others related
of the old gentleman.
1t seems that Col. D. had misunder-
standing 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 pretty much together. The young
ones being we'll aware of the Colonel's irascible
nature, determined when they left one of the
courts for another, to have some fun by the way
at his expense. They accordingly got about half
an hours start in leaving, and presently they ar
rived at dark, broad stream that looked as
though it might be dozen feet deep, but in re-
alty, not more than that many inches. Cross
ing it, they alighted, and pulling off their coats
and boots, sat quietly down to watch for old
Tartar
jogging along at length came the old fellow.
| He looked first at the youngsters, who were
gravely drawing on their boots and coats, as II
they had Just had swim, and then looked at the
broad creek that rolled before him like trans
lucent star. The Col. was awfully puzzled.
us this creek swimmingY" he growled, after
pause of some moments.
| No reply was lnade--the young men simply
mounted their horses and rode off some little dis
tance and stopped to watch our hero.
The Col. slowly divested himself of coat, boots,
pantaloons and drawers. These he nicely tied
no in his handkerchief and hung them on the
horn of his saddle, then he remounted, and as
he was a short, fat man, with apaunch ofrather
| inordinate size rather inadequate legs, face
like withered apple, and brown wig, there is
| no doubt he made an interesting picture as ne be-
strobe his steed, with the breeze holding gentle
dalliance with the extremity OF his only gar
ment.
Slowly and cautiously the old gentleman took
the creek Halt length and the water was
not fetlock deep. Here the horse stopped tc
drink. A length and half and the stream wa:
no deeper. Thirty feet, and a decided shaling
Here Col. D reined up.
"There must,n said he, ''be ID of q deeI
channel between this and the bank-see how il
runs. Wen dash through here"
A sharp lash made the horse spring the wa
terry waste, and another carried the horse and
rider to the opposite bank.
The creek was nowhere more than foo
deep.
A wild yell from the young 'uns announced
their appreciation of the sport as they gallopeC
away.
"i'll catch you, you - rascals," was grount
between Col. DIS teeth, and away he gal
loped in hot pursuit, muttering vengeance OF
his foes.
! On they sped, pursper and pursued. The
Youngsters laughed and the Col. abused will
mighty emphasis, while his shirt fluttered ant
cracked in the breeze like loose flying jib.
On, on, and the pursued reached a farm-hous
) on the roadside. Their passing started hocl
of geese from fence corner, which as the Col
? rushed up met him with out-spread wings, elon
gated recks and Kisses dire. His horse swerve'
> suddenly, ard the COL was on the ground in
most unromantic heap, with his brown wig ly
ing by his side and the bundle of clothes scat
: tered ell around.
The white headed children of the house cam
! out first, took distant view of the monster, a
it seemed to them, and then returned to repor
progress. After little the father OF the famil
came and the affair being explained, assisted th
i Col. in making his toilette--the Col. swearin
and the countryman laughing all the while.
Dressed and mounted, our hero started ot
with woful phiz and was very soon out Q
Z sight.