The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-05-04
ALABAMA RIPLEMEN.- Eewberu

| ALABAMA RIPLEMES-The Eewberu
IN. CO. Progress, publishes an extract from
one Of Mr.. Goose's letters, detailing tho
proficiency of Alabama rihemen, who will
now have an opportunity to "thread the
needle" of any Yankee that may come be-
fore their fire
Another feat is "thfeading the needle"
An auger hole is pierced through the CEN
ter of an upright board the orifce is Just
large enough to allow ball to pass with
out touching; and it is expected to pass
without touching A third is still more
exciting-snutiing the candle. IL is per
formed in the night, and the darkness of
the scene adds wiIdness to the amuse-
ment that greatly enhances its interest
A calm night is chosen half dozen ends
of tallOw candles and box Of matches are
taken out into the field, whittier the up
roarious party ofstalwart youths repair.
One of them takes his station by the mark;
a stick is thrust perpendicularly into the
ground, on the top of which piece of can
die is fixed, either in socket or by means
OF few drops of grease. A plank is set
up behind the candle to receive the balls,
which are all carefully picked out after the
sport is over, being much too valuable TO
be wasted. The marker now lights the
candle, which glimmers like n feeble star,
but Just visible at the spot where the ex-
pectant party are standing. Each one
carefully loads his rife; some mark the
barrel with line of chalk TO aid the sight
IN the darkness; others neglect this and
seem to know the position of the pea by
instinct. There is a sharp short crack
and line of fire little cloud of smoke
rises perpcndicularly upwards an unmer-
citul shout of derision halls the unluckv
marksman, for the candle is still twinkling
dimly and readily as before. Another
confidently succeeds the light is suddenly
eXthguished; his BAH has cut it off lust
below the flame. This won't do, the test
Is to snuff the candle without putting it
out. a third now steps up; it j. my friend
Jones, the oversccrOn the plantation where
am residing; he is a crack shot, and we
all expect something superb now. The
marker has replaced the lighted candle; it
Is allowed to burn few minutes until the
wick has become long. The dimIicss of
the light at length announces It's readiness,
and the marker cries fire = 4 moments
GREATNESS silence follows the fash and re-
port, change was seen TO pass upon the
distant CLEAN, and the dull, red light had
suddenly become white and sparkling.
Right good ! cries the marker; the ball
has passed through the centre of the flame,
and snuifed the candle, and whoops and
shouts = applause ring through the field
and echo from the surrounding forest.
This extraordinary feat is usually perform
ell two or three times in every contest of
skill
a common exploit is barking off, a
squirrel. My worthy friend, Maj. Vanncr,
the other day, at my request, performed
this. y couple Of fox squirrels were play
ing. far up on towering beech IN the yard,
ltile sNspectiDg what vas coming "for the
benefit of science" Dly friend went in
and broaght ont his TRASHY rifle; waited n
moment for one of the little hiskv gentle
men TO be rightly placed, for it is needfuB
to,the feat that the squirrel should be cling
ing to the bark of the tree The first Shot
WOO '''u', NV niuilcl IL" ucad indeed
bnt 1t WAS pierced with the hall, which was
not the ob}sct- Perhaps she crcsture had
moved little at the instant, or perhaps
the planter had been I;;tle too carcesslv
confident; however, his :rrttlr was up, and
he took care that the second Shot sh0a!H
be all riShj. The ball struck the trunk oG
the tree III beneath the belly OF the ami
mai, driving off piece Of the bark rs largo
"A. ones hand, and with it the squirrel,
without wound or ruilled lair, but killed
by the conclusion.