The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-03-24
THE CoLoNEL's HORSE.

have never been able to ascertain the
cause of the quarrel between the Crickeys
and the brakes. They have lived within
mile of each other in Illinois for five
years. and from their first acquaintance
there has been mutual feeling of dis
like between the two families.
One evening Mr.. Drake, the elder, was
returning home with his pocket full of
rocks from Chicago. whittier he had been
to dispose of load of grain. Sam Bars
ton was on the wagon with him, aud as
they approached the grove which inter
vened between them and Mr.. brakes
house. he observed to his companion.
What beautiful shot old Crickley's
roam is, over yonder.' o.. p.
Hang it, so it is muttered old Drake.
The horse was standing under some
trees about twelve rods from the road
Involuntarily Drake stopped his team.
He glanced furtively around, then with q
queer smile the old hunter took up his
rife from the bottom Of the wagon, and
raising it to his shoulder, drew q sight
upon the Colonel's horse.
Beautiful muttered Drake, lowering
his rife with the air of man resisting a
powerful temptation. i could drop old
roam so handsome
Shoot! suggested Sam Barston, who
loved fun in any shape.
No, 'twon't do,' said the old hunter,
glancing cautiously around. 'i'
| n r,on,t foll co;d Con, st- o. ~
wall, l won't shoot this time, tell or
no tell. The horse is too nigh-if he
was fifty rods off instead of twelve, so
there would be bare possibility of mis-
taking him for deer, I'd let ny. AS it
is, I'd give old Crickley Eve dollars for a
shot,
= At this moment the Colonel himself
stepped out from behind big oak, not
half, dozen PAGES distant, and stood be-
fore Mr.. Drake.
We'll, why don't you shoot!' .'' .
The old man stammered out some
words in confusion: -"@<s 2
That you, Colonell IL was tempt
ed to, l declare. But as said, I'll give
you V for a pull. 49, '''''@
Say au X, and it's bargain t#}
| Drake felt for his rife and looked ut
old roam. f-4aol 1''s'-
How much is the hoss wuth?' he NUT.
tered in Sans ear. -.e
About $5O.' 2.sl
well FIJI do it. Here's an x rs
The Colonel pockcted the money, NUT
tering, hanged if thought you'd take me
up s-.i5 if'@
/ With high g!es the old hunter put q
fresh cap on his rifle, stood up in his wag-
ON and drew close sight at old roam
] Sam Barston chuckled. The Colonel put
his hand before his face and chuckled
i too. "''4-
Crack went the rifle. The hunter tore
out horrid oath, which l will not repeat.
Sam was astonished; the Col. started; old
roam never stirred.
! Drake stared at his rife with face as
black as Othello's. s '-s' -
/ What's the matter with you, hey?-
First time you ever served me such q trick,
l swami
And Drake reloaded his piece with
great wrath and indignation.
People say that you've lost your knacl
of shooting said the Col. in cutting
tone of satire.
'Who said so? It's lie" thunderet
old Drake. i can shoot
A horse at ten rods? ha! ha! -
Drake was livid.
Look here, Col, can't stand that!
he began. ,.
Never mind, the horse can,' sneeret
the Colonel.
Grinding his teeth, Drake produced
another X.
Here be growled, 'I'm bound to have
one more shot,
Crack away said the Col, pocketine
the note.
Drake did crack away-with deadl,
aim, too--but the horse did not minl
the bullet in the least. 2
To the rage and disgust of the, hunter
old roam stared him right in the face, as il
he rather liked the fun.
Drake cried Sam, you're drunk! A
horse at a dozen rods; oh Lord!
Shut your mouth, or I'll shoot you'll
: thundered Drake.
The man lies who says / can't shoot
Last week cut goose's head at fifty
|, rods, and l can do it again. Crickley yor
can laagh now, but IN bet you thirty dol
lars eau bring down ola Roam the mex
: shot,
The wager was readily accepted. Thi
stakes were placed in Sans hands
Elated with the idea of winning back hi
two tens, and making an x in the bar
gain, Drake carefully selected q perfec
ball and with q buckskin patch CAREFUL,
loaded his rife
1t was now nearly night, but the ole
hunter boasted of being able to shoot F.
bat on The wing by starlight, and withou
hesitating he drew q bead on old roan'
head.
| A moment more Drake was driving
through the grove, the most enrsged anG
. desperate of men. His rife, innocent viz
, Tin, Of ;ro Low NTH hrokap ctook an IL,