The hydraulic press., 1860-12-15
For the Hydraulic Press.
A DUCK-HUNT.

My wife said to me, one day, "Spangles
why is it you never bring any ducks home
from the market? They are great delcacy
at this season Of the year"
"Becaase they are dear, Mrs. Spangles,"
replied.
''But you have gum" said she; "and
might, like other sportsmen, go out and kill
some."
Egad, that was an ideal hadn't thought
of it before, and | at once determined to act
upon my wifes suggestion "Nly angel, I'll
do it," said I.
This dialogue occurred on Friday after
noon. | at once started down town to find
n companion for the contemplated excursion.
4 solicited quite number of persons to
share the sport; hut they all had business
engagements which preclude3 As good luck
would have it, when | was about to aban-
don the search, and had half concluded
/ would 60 alone, fell in with Flummy,
a friend of mine, a fellow of rare wit, and
whom | knew to be wise in all the accom-
plishments of a complete sportsman. He
had q gun in his hand at the time. | ac-
quainted him with my design, and requested
his companionship. Flummy was on the
point, he said, of arranging for another ex-
pedtion; but purely as a matter Of accom-
mediation to me, he consented to change his
plans, and form the second man OF the party.
felt th1t in gratitude for this display of
self-sacriticing spirit on Flnmmys part,
| could do no less than defray the expenses
This fact | ntimated to him in the most
modest terms possible, and received from
him bow, in acknowledgment Of his pro-
found appreciation.
Eat what time do you think Of starting,
and where do you design going?' asked
FUNNY.
'My dear fellow" said I, in an impulse of
enthusiasm, "those are questions which /
leave it entirely with you to decide. You
know more about such matters than do,
and shall have implicit confidence IN your
Judgment, express it whichever way you
may"
"Well," said he, ~ know where there are
plenty of ducks, bat it is twenty miles dis
tant and to proper enjoyment of the sport,
it will be necessary to consume at least Il
couple of days, and to go with horse and
buggy"
"All right replied.
1--WE must also have a few stores with us"
added Flummy, with a knowing wink of the
left eye.
"Have you bought your ammunition yet ?"
said he.
| replied that had not We then pro-
ceeded to an establishment W here such things
are sold, and laid in an abundant supply.
After this, we sought out livery stable,
where we engaged horse and buggy, to be
in readiness for US by FIVE o'clock OF the fol-
lowing morning.
IL I,
we were about to separate till the appointed
hour
"Ah, had forgotten thatl'
slipped a fre-dollar gold piece into
Flummy's hand having become rapturously
elate at the prospect of pleasure to be enjoy
ed, and which loomed up with inviting fea-
lures before me.
The next morning dawned hazily. The
atmosphere was pleasantly warm, although
it was November weather, and | had little
doubt but we were to have pleasant spell
of it, sailed forth hastily with my traps,
and met Flummy at the stable, where he had
been several minutes waiting for me. After
we got fairly beyond the limits of the
town, the air pinched little, and | noticed,
for the first time, that Flammy had on an
overcoat, a pair of oTershoes, buckskln
gloves, comforter and slouched hat. lie
had also brought with him u change OF
woollen socks. These precautions to com
fort, immediate and prospective, had en-
tirely overlooked. My hat was plug, and
I wore the broadcloth suit which was hab-
ituated to at all times, about my business
The horse was going at round trot, and as
there was probability that the sun might
rise clear, told FUNNY to "drive ahead
for it was bad luck to turn back on jour-
ney." In the meantime, exercised to keep
warm, by thrashing my arms around my
body.
"a friend Of mine said FUNNY, "Dameo
Spikes. resides on Coon Greek; and that's
where I'm going to-"
Between nine and ten o'clock we arrived
at Coon Creek, and drove up to Spikes door
That worthy gentleman was at home, anc
gave US a very gracious reception. Wher
we had alighted, Spikes relieving us of the
care of horse and buggy, Flummy paid hi;
respects to Mrs. Spikes, to whom he intro
duced me in due form, and for vhom-being
of q sanguine temperament--l at once con
ceiyed an idea of prepossesion.
1t was not long till we were accontred anc
in the field. The sky was stlll cloudy, which
Flummy said betokened a successful day;
snort. And to tell the truth, the air wa:
both black and vocal with flying ana scream
mo wild fowl. We struck off for some ponds
mn a line with Coon Creek, and about mile
from Spikes' residence. The ducks were
tsouawkiug' and rising out of the creek al
every few steps as we proceeded, and 1t was
With difficulty could restrain myself from
firing upon them