Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-02-04
THE CoLoNELs HORSE.

"l" 'N' 'ldhcHs lucy nave ilVeu WITHIN n
mile or two Of each other in Illinois for five
years, and from their first acquaintance there
had been a mutual feeling of dislike between
the two families
One day Mr.. Drake the elder was return
ing home with a pocket full Of rocks from
Chicago where he had been to dispose Of a
load Of grain. and Sam Barton was on the
wagon with him. As they approached the
grove which intervened between them and
Mr.. brakes house, he observed to his COM
pauion
"What beautiful shot old Crckley's roam
is, over yondor"
Hang it, so it is, muttered old Drake.
The horse was standing under some trees
twelve rods from the road.
Involunlarily Drake stopped his team. He
glanced furtively around. then with a queer
smile the old hunter took up his rifle from the
wagon, and raising it to his shoulder, drew
sight on the colonel's horse.
Beautiful, muttered Drake. lowering his
rifle with the air Of a man who had resisted
powerful temptation. 81 could drop the
old roam so handsome
"Shootw suggested Sam Barton, who low
ed fun in any shape
mo, twon't do, said the old hunter,
glancing cautiously around
81 won't tell, said Sam.
"Well, / won't shoot this time tell or no
tell. The horse is two night he was fifty
rods off, instead Of twelve so there would be
bare possibility Of mistaking him for a deer
I'd let fy As it is, I'd give old Crckey
five dollars for a shot"
At this moment the colonel himself stepped
from, h0kfvJ d, l..
distant, and stood before Mr.. Drake.
"Well, why don't you shoot;'
The old man stammcred out some words in
confusion
"That you, colonel, II was tempted to,
declare. But, as said, I'll give you a V for
a pull
"Say an Y, and it's bargain"
Drake felt for his rife, and looked at the
old horse
"How much is the old roam worth" :" he
whispered in Sans car.
About fifty dollars
"Weu, I'll do it, Here's an Y 80
"Ill be hanged if thought you'd do it"
muttered the colonel, pocketing the money.
With high gleo the old hunter put fresh
cap on his rife, stood up in his Wagon and
drew a close sight on old roam. Crack went
the rife. The hunter let out a horrid oath,
which | will not repeat Sam was astonished :
the colonel stared old roam never stirred
Drake stared at his rifle with a face black as
Othellos.
whats the matter with you, hey; Fust
time you ever served me such a trick, swan. "
And Drake reloaded his piece with great
wrath and indignation.
people say you've lost your knack of
shooting said the colonel, in tone of cut
ting sarcasm.
"Who said so; It's lie !'' thundered the
enraged old hunter II can shoot
"a horse at ten rods. Ha ha p
Drake was livid
"Look here colonel, | cant stand that, he
began
Never mind, the horse can, sneered the
colonel
Here, I'm bond to have my shot" growl-
ed Drake grinding his teeth, and producing
another bank-note.
"Crack away said the colonel, pocketing
the money
Drake did crack away; with deadly aim,
too, but the horse did not mind it in the least
To the rage and disgust of the old hunter
roam stared him right in the face, as if he
liked the fun.
drake" cried Sam, you're drunk A
horse at ten rods O, Lord %
"Shut your mouth, or I'll shoot you" said
old Drake "The man lies that says can't
shoot Last week | shot goose's head at
fifty rods. and | can do it again. Crickley.
you can laugh now, but I'll bet you fifty dol
lars that | can bring down old roam at the
very next shot"
The wager was readily accepted. The
stakes were placed in Sans hands. Elated
with the idea of winning back his two tens,
and making an y in the bargain, Drake care
fully selected perfect ball, and with buck
skin patch, carefully loaded his rife.
1t was now nearly night, but the hunter
was in the habit Of boasting that he could
shoot bat on the wing by starlight, and
without hesitation he drew bead on roans
head.
A moment later. and Drake was driving
through the grove, tho most enraged and des-
perate of men. His rifle, innocent victim of
his ire, lay with broken stock in the bottom
Of the wagon. Sam Barton was too frighten-
ed to laugh.
In the meantime, the gratifed colonel was
rolling on the ground, convulsed with mirth.
NhN WV NAA AbHi was oAahilhP uluti lnt
trees.
When old Drake reached home, his two
sons, discovering his ill-humor hastened to
arouse his spirits with the news which they
were sure would make him dance with joy.
"Clear out growled the angry old man.
81 don't want to hear any news get away,
or I'll knock you down.
But, father, it is such trick played on
old Crickley"
"Old Crickley;' said the old man, getting
interested. "Glad if you have played the
colonel a trick let's have it,"
"Well, father, Jed and this evening went
out for deer"
Hang the deer let's hear about the trick.
Couldn't find the deer, but thought we
must kill something, SO Jed banged away at
the colonels old roan-shot him dead
"Shot old roam - Numbered the old hun
ter. "Jed, did you shoot the coonel's hoss p
didn't do anything else Then" said
Jed, confident that the joke must be agreeable
to his father, Jim and propped him up,
and tied his head back with string, and left
him standing under the tree just as if he was
alive. Ha! ha, isn't it joke p
Old brakes head fell upon his breast. lie
felt his empty pocket-b book, and looked at his
rife. Then, in rueiul tone, he whispered
to the boys.