Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-01-27
GAME DINNER.

Shortly after the war with Great Britain,
an aristocratic English gentleman built a fine
residence in the vicinity Of Fort George, on
the Niagara frontier, and, in accordance with
the old country idea Of exclusiveness, he en-
closed his ground with a high, tight fence.
Here be lived an old English gentleman-one
Of the olden time-with the exception that
none but the elite of the Province and the Of
| ficers of the neighboring garrison were allow
ed to pass his gate. There was very good
understanding between the American officers
at Fort Niagara and the British at Fort
George, and the men we're permitted occasion
ally to visit back and forth. Among the
American soldiers was a queer chap, who
suffered terribly, was very fond of hunting,
and who was always getting into some sort Of
mischief
/ One day this chap took the small boat that
! lay moored at the foot Of the walls Of the tort
and crossed over to the Canadian shore for
hunt He wandered over several miles in the
rear Of Fort George. but without meeting any
game, and on his return seeing crow on
tree within the enclosure Of the aristocraiic
Engishman. be scaled the high fence, fired,
and brought down his game. Colonel. OF
whatever his title may have BEEHIVE will
call him colonel. .anyhow-wtnessed the tran
saction, and advanced while our soldier was
re-loading. He was very angry, but seeing
the Yankee standing coolly with loaded gun
in his hand, he guped down his passion for
moment, and merely asked him if he had kill
ed the crow The Yankee replied he did. 81
am very sorry" said the Colonel, 'tor he was
pet. BY the by. that is a very pretty gun
I will you be so kind to let me look at 1t
The soldier complied with the request. The
~ 1 A. III L..4 l. lou
PAGES, took deliberate aim, and then broke
in TRADE Of abuse, concluding with an order
to stoop down and take a bite Of the crow. or
he would blow his brains out. The soldier
explained, apologized, and ontreated. All was
of no use.
There was shoot in the Englishman's eye
there was no help for it-and the suffering
solder stopped aud took bite Of the crow,
but swallow it he could not Up came his
breakfast, his dinner the day before. aud it
really appeared as if he would throw up his
toe nails. The Englishman gloated on the
misery OF his victim, and smiled complacently
at every fresh heave When he had got
through vomiting, and had wiped his eyes, the
Colonel handed him his gun, with the remark,
Now, you rascal, that will teach you how to
poach on genteman's enclosure
The Yankee soldier took his gun, and the
Colonel might have seen the devil in his eye
if he had looked close Stepping back he
took aim at the heart Of his host and told him
instantly to finish the crow. Angry expostu-
lation. prayers and entreaties we're useless
things. There was shoot in the American
eye then, as there had been in the English
eye before. There was no help at hand, and
he took one bite Of the dead crow And that
one bite was enough to send all the nice din
ners he had eaten lately on the same journey
with the garrison fare Of the soldier, and while
the Engishmen was in the agony OF sickness
Jonathan escaped to the American shore.
The next morning early, the Commandani
Of Fort Niagara was sitting in his quarters
when Col. - was announced. "Sir.' said
Col. -, IL come to demand the punish
ment Of one Of your men. who yesterday en-
tered my premises and committed great out
rage"
1--WE have three hundred men here and il
would be difficult to know who it is you
mean" said the officer
The Englishman described him as long
dangling, suffering, stoop-shouldered devil
"Ah, know who you mean, said the Of
fcer; hes always getting into mischief
Orderly, call Tom"
In a few moments Tom entered and stood
as straight as his natural build would allow,
while not a trace Of emotion was visible in his
countenance.
Tom said the officer, do you know this
gentleman ?"
"le-ye-ye-es. sir
"Where did you see him before :"
"EEL" said Tom, suffering awfully, but
retaining the grave expression natural to his
face ~ di-di-d,-dined with him yesterday.
We believe Tom was not punished