The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-11-16
Paddy's Coon Hunting.

An Irishman of our Acquaintance
named Michael O'Rodger, who settled il
this part of the country some years ago
lately received On unexpected visit from
his brother Pat, who was direct from tht
sod. Mike heartily welcomed his brother
and resolved to do everything in his pow
er to make his visit an agreeable one
Accordingly at the end of the second day
after Pats arrival, which had been spen,
by them in general carousal, Mike arm
ed his brother with shilelah, and i'm
mediately led off in the direction of the
! cornfel6 about half q mile distant, where
he assured Pat that they would enjoy a
rare evenings coon hunting.
The night was too dark to distinguish the
objects of their search at any great dis
tance. but on entering the field and set
ting up yell they soon discovered by the
rustling of the corn stalks in various di-
rections, that they had been successful in
routing several of them from their hiding
places Mikes keen eyes were now fixed
upon large tree, which stood few yards
distant, and he soon had the satisfaction
of detecting an object moving up its trunk
at rapid rate. This he knew to be q
coon, and with shout of joy he rushed
toward the tree calling his brother to fol-
low up. In q moment the two sportsmen
were under the tree. Mike prepared TO
climb, and directed Pat how to act when
the coon reached the ground.
"He'll be aflher maxim great noise to
get away" said Mike, "but for your life
don't let him escape ye."
"Och, he off up the tree wild ye," an
swered Pat, fourishing bis shilelah evil
IDENTITY growing impatien: for the sport,
'niver fear but I'll put an ind to him
when he comes down.
Mike now commenced climbing the
tree with all possible haste aud succeeded
very well in the ascent until he reached
the first branches and became hid from
the wild gaze of the brother. when he
paused moment to ascertain in what
part of the tree the coon had taken lodg-
ing. While matters were in this state,
the coon made sudden move among the
branches which SO startled Mike that he
unfortunately let 60 his hold and fell head
long to the ground.
Pat supposiDg him to be the coon,
rushed furiously upon him with his shlle-
lah, and commenced that delightful oper-
alton of putting an end to him.
"Murther! murther!' cried Mike, at
to raise to his feet, "in the name
of st. Patrick don't be afther batting Inc
to DEATH"
aye needn't be givin me any Nv yer
dirty excuses; .shure me brither tou'd me
ye'd be afther making great noise to git
away, but not fut yell move out o. this
a'ive.'
Mike now supposing his brother to be
crazy, thought it time to make desper-
ate struggle for life; so seizing Pat by the
legs he succeeded in throwing him to the
ground. whereupon rough and tumble
fight commenced which lasted for some
time without either of the brothers utter
ing q word
After violent contest, however, Mike
came off victorious, Pat being SO CON-
pletely subdued as to render him helpless.
But fearing it was not oil over with him,
he began to call wildly for Mike to hasten
down the tree and assist him. or the "ug-
ly baste" would have his life.
By this time Mike fully comprehended
the error into which his brother had fall
en-, and commenced using every means in
his power to bring him to his senses,
which after great deal of persuasion he
In doing.
But the coon was allowed to escape un-
harmed, as neither of the adventurers felt
in humor for continuing the hunt that
night. Indeed it was Pats first hunting
scrape, and he swore by all the saints it
would be the last.