The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-11-25
Thc Backward Cow Ride.

During the Revolutionary War, when a
corps of the American army was cncampcd
near the borough Of Elsobcthtown, Ne'v
Jersey, all officer, who. by the way, was
more of dcvotee to Venus than Of Mars,
paid his addresses to lady of distinction,
whom he was in tue habit of visiting
nightly. On the discovery of the repeated
absence of the officer, and of tho place
where interviews with his Dulcina were
had, some waggish friends resolved to play
off n handsome trick at his expense, which
should deter hlin from a repetition Of his
visits.
The officer. il appears. rode q very small
horse, OF the pony kind, which he left ul-
tied, with the bride reins over his neck,
near the door. in order to mount and ride
OIL without delay, when the business OF
counting and kissing was over and the
horse always remained until backed by tho
owner, without attempting to change his
position. On certain dark and gloomy
night, when the officer had. as usual, gone
TO pay his deVouous to the object Of his
dearest affections and was enjoying the
approving smiles Of the lovely fair one, his
waggish companions went privately 10 the
door of the house where the officer was,
took his bride and saddle from the horse,
which they sent away, placed the bride on
the tail, tho saddle on the back, and tho
Crupper over the horns of quiet old COW
who stood peoceably chewing her cud, near
the spot. Immediately thereafter they re.
tired some distance from the house, and
separating, raised the loud cry of alarm,
| that the enemy had landed and were march
ing into the village.
Our hero, on hearing this, took counsel
from his fears, and snatching hasty kiss
Ia. 81. e al, 4 Al a.
of II muSkct ball, and mounted into the sad
| die, with his back toward the head of the
COW. and plunging his sharp spurs kcenly
into her sides, caused her to bawl out with
excessive pain. and she dartcd, in her best
| gallop, towards the camp. The officer still
! plying his spurs, with all his wine on board
and finding himself hurried rapidly back
ward, maugre all his efforts to advance
| hearing the repeated Rawlings of the tor
| turcd beast--imagined that he was carried
oil by magic, and roaring out most Justify
that the devil had got him, was thus car.
ried into the very center of the camp.
The sentincls hearing the noise, dis.
charged their pieces and fled aud alarm
guns were tircd-thc drums beat to arms.
the officers left their quarters and cried
turn out" with all the strength of their
lungs. The soldiers started from their
sleep as if ghost had disturbed their
dreams, aud tho whole body running halt
naked, as quick as possible, in gallant dis
habille, prepared to repel the terrible inva-
der. When, 10 the ludicrous sight pre-
sentod itself to their eyes of the gallant
officer, mounted On COW, with his face
towards her tail-her tongue hanging out
her sides CORY with the gouging of the
spurs, and he himself almost deprived OF
reason, and half petrihed with horror.
A loud roar of laughter broke from the
assembled band, at the rider aud his stccd
and the whole corps gave him three timos
three cheers, as he bolted into camp.
He was carried to his quarters in tri
umph, there to dream of lovers, metamor
| phoses, backward rides, steruway advances
and alarms of invasion, and thereby garnsl
his mind with materials for writing spcn
did treatise on the novel adventure OF d
COW ride.