The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-05-05
g9l iGGella 1tRn 1t & !.
Shooting a Horse--a Bad Speculation.

| have never been able to ascertain the cause
of the quarrel between the Crickleys and the
brakes They have lived within mile of each
other, in Illinois, for five years, and from their
first acquaintance there had been mutual feel
ing of dislike between the two families.
One day Mr. Drake, the elder, was returning
home with pocket full of rocks, from Chicago,
where he had been to dispose of load of grain;
and Sam Barton was on the wagon with him
AS they approached the grove which interviewed
beteen them and brakes house, he observed to
his companion
"What beautiful shot old Crickley's roam is
over yondre"
Hang it, so it ISL muttered old Drake
The horse was standing under some trees,
twelve rods from the road.
Involuntarily, Drake stopped his team. He
glanced furtively around then, with queer
smile, the old hunter took his rife from the bot
tom Of the wagon, and raising it to his Shout
der drew sight on the Colonel's horse.
+" Beautiful" muttered Drake, lowering his
rifle with the air of man who had resisted
temptation I could drop the old roam SO
handsome.
'Shoot," suggested Sam Barton, who loved
fun in any shape.
mo, 'twont do" said the old hunter, glanc-
ing cautiously around.
81 won't tell, said Sam
well, [ won't shoot this time, tell or not tell.
The horse is too night he was fifty rods, in
stead of twelve, so that there would be bare
possibility of installing him for deer I'd let
fly. AS it is, I'd give old Crickley five dollars
for shot,
At this moment, the Colonel himself stepped
frombehind big oak, not half dozen PAGES
distant, and stood before Mr.. Drake.
"Well, why don't you shoot 2"
The old man stammered out some words in
confusion
"That you, Colonel? II was tempted to,
1 declare. But, as said, Til give you a Y
for a pud. "
Say an x, and its bargain
Drake felt for his rife, and looked at the old
horse.
How much is the old roam worth ~ he wills
pered in Sans ear.
About fifty"
Well, I'll do it. Here's an K.
The Colonel pockoted the money, muttering
"I'll be hanged, if thought you'd do it,
With high glee the old hunter put fresh cap
upon his rife, stood up his wagon, and drew
close sight on old roam. The Colonel put his
money i'll his pocket and chuck1ed.
Crack went the rifle. The hunter let out a
horrid oath, which shall not here repeat Sam
was astonished; the Colonel stared; old roam
never stirred.
Drake stared at his rife with face black as
Othello's
whats the matter with you, hey? Fust
time that you ever served me such trick |
swan"
And Drake reloaded his piece with great
wrath and indignation.
"People say you have lost your knack of
shooting" said the Colonel, in tone of cutting.
sarcasm
"Who said so it's a lie, )" Numbered the en-
ragged old hunter " can shoot"
:" A horse at ten rods. Ha! hap
Drake was livid.
"Look here, Colonel 1 can't stand that" he
began
"Never mind, the horse CAN" sneered the
Colonel
Grinding his teeth Drake produced another
X. "Here he growIed Pm bound to have
Dly shotn
I" Crack away" said the Colonel, pocketing
the note
Drake did crack away, with deadly aim too,
but the horse did not mind the bullet in the
least. 10 the rage and unutterabie disgust of
the old hunter, roam stared him right in the
face as if he liked the fun A6
Drake" cried Sam, you're drunk. A
horse at dozen rods O lord ~
shut your mouth, or I'll shoot youp said
old Drake
" The man lies that says can't shoot. Last
week cut goose's head at fifty yards, and I
can do it again. Crickley, you can laugh now,