Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-04-27


 culations accordingly. He knew that pipes and tobacco would be plenty, and that whisky would be lying around loose, and he anticipated lots of fun. The eventful day arrived, and Ike proceeded to the scene.- He was rather coolly received by the com pany, as he was there without invitations. but he didn't care for that, and pulled off his coat and rendered valuable assistance in raising the house. About dinner time the work was completed, and all hands adjourn ed to dinner. Ike had possessed himself of a jug, containing a half gallon of old Bourbon, and in the space of half an hour he was pretty well inebriated, and, more over, very quarrelsome. For some time he had been vaunting his qualifications, which no one appeared to notice, when, casting hls eye over the assembly, he esnied the person who had testified against him a few weeks before. He rose from his seat, roll ed up his sleeves, put on his hat, and took a big chew of tobacco, and exclaimed:
 "Jim Moore, l kin whip you or any other sheep-killing, suck-egg dog, dog-on youn'
 :" Jim Moore" didn't see fit to pay any attention to this moderate assertion, and Ike declared he'd be d-d if he didn't show him, too," and hit him a wipe about the ear which laid him out thorizontallv- Three or four more interlered, but Ike, to use his own words, soon "cleaned them out, and having nothing more to keep him, he departed for home. On his way there he met friend, to whom he related with great glee the glorious fout" in which he had been engaged. His friend listened at- tentlvely, and at the conclusion called his at- tentlon to the fact that the grand jury would soon convene, and there was fine prospect ot hls being presented. Ike had sworn that he would never again be fined, and he again repeated it, with maledictions on all grand Iurles, judges, witnesses, and the whole country generally and promiscuously.
 The grand jury convened, and sure enough Ike was presented and indicted, an] a writ issued to the sheriff of Lawren county, commanding him ito take tha bo lv ol Ike Ferguson, and safely keep" etc. Now the sheriff of the aforesaid county wa, a man fully as large as Ike, and as peacea- ble as Ike was quarrelsome He was green and lazy, but he had withal a high appre- citation of himself, and the dignity of the office he tancied he adorned. He wa, morally afraid of Ike Ferguson, ant when he received the aforesaid writ, his heart sunk within him, and he trembled in his boots. The command must be executed. he thought: but how to do it was the question. At last he concluded to employ stratagem. and in pursuance of this idea he mounted his horse and rode to Ike's residence which he reached about six P. M. Ike was at home. and well knew what brought Tommy there, but put ting the best face upon the matter, he in vlted him in, gave him drink, and asked him to sit by the fire till he went to feed his horse. Now Tommy had no notion of letting Ike out of his sight, so ne pro- posed attending him.
 " But, Tommy" said Ike, " its half a mile and the ungodliest road-Je-e-ruse- lem!''
 Well, I've been riding all day, and it'll do me good to walk awhile" replied Tommy.
 Ike could demur no longer; so off they started. He was uneasy and restless, for he was afraid the writ would be served upon him, and so concluded to try once more to get Tommy to remain at home.
 "'Fore God,' he exclaimed, five got to go three miles for. some corn. That's too far for you to walk, Tommy; you know you've been sick" and Ike's features ex- pressed great commisseration at the pre- carious state of Tommy's health.
 On, mo-" replied Tommy, "I would walk ten miles to enjoy the benefit of your instructive conversation"
 Another failure for Ike, and on they walk ed for another half hour All at once Ike complained of indispostion, and declared his intention of returning to the house. A merry twinkle ill the sheriff $ eye announc- ed his satisfaction at his success thus far. which Ike observing, he mentally swore that he would make him suffer for it.
 Arriving at the house, they sat down by the fire, and several ladies being there, the conversation soon became spirited Ike all at once caught an idea and he rose ab- ruptIy and informed the sheriff that he would go to the lot and feed and water his horse, while he entertained the female women." It wasn't no use. Tommy would go with him, and mentally cursing all the sherltfs in Arkansas, he assented.- The stable was large overgrown log house with door in each end, and but one win dow. In the stable there were but two horses, one of which belonged to the sheriff. Ike entered, while Tommy remained at the dcor, revolving in his mind the feasibility ot then and there making the arrest. No sooner had Ike entered, than Tommy treacherously closed the door upon him, and Tn stentorian terms exclaimed:
 " Isaac Ferguson, you're my prisoner. l arrest you in the name of the common wealth of Arkansas, which have the honor to represent"
 "The devil you dol" said Ike. Look here, Tom Steadman, the commonwealth of Arkansas don't owe me nary red and IH be cussed if owe ha anything You'd better slope from thar, kase I'll get danger ous and hurt you"
 Ike had projected an idea, which was to enter the stable at one door, saddle his horse and leave at the other; but the cussed nlgger had locked it, and he found that he had been caught in his own trap
 " Do you surrender" asked Tommy " here's my authority" and he commenced reading the capias.
 "Hold on, Tommy" said Ike, "let me think awhile. l reckon I'll have it to do, though
 "Ies,' replied Tommy, < Pm an officer of this here great comm onwealth, and I've got the authority to arrest you-to take your body, etc., SC you had better not re- resist" And again-s'To the sheriff of Lawrence county, State of Arkansas, greet ing, etc"
 Ike while the sheriff was pompouslv de- claiming his authority, had slyly crept to the window at the further end of the stable, slipped out of it, provided himself with piece ot plank and noiselessly crept along to the corner where the sheriff was entertain ing two horses with his authority" paused occasionally to descant upon the dignity of the office he filled, and the high source from which his authority emanated He had read portion, and had got along to "Now, therefore" when hearing no noise in the stable he stopped down and put his head in the crack to take items. Now was the time for Ike. With a tremendous wboon he