Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-03-17
A Backward Cow Ride.

During the Revolutionary War when Q
corps OF the American army was en-
camped near the DO, rough Of Elizabeth
town, New Jersey, an officer. who by the
way. was more Of a devotee of Venus than
of Mars. paid his addresses to ails'ly oil
distinction. whom he was IL the habit oil
visiting nightly. On discovery Of the
repeated absence Of the officer, and OF the
place where interviews. with bis dulcina
were had. some wsggish friends resolved
to play off a handsome trick at his EXP ense,
which should deter him from o repetition
OF his visits. ,o~s sssn ssmsesa
The officer it appears, rode very small
horse of the pony hind. which he left I'M
tied with the bride reins over his neck.
near the door, in order to mount and fide
of without delay. when the business OF
counting and kissing was over, and the
horse always remained till backed BY the
owner. without attempting to change his
position. On q certain dark and gloomy
night, when the officer had, as usual. gone
to pay bis devotions to the object OF bis
dearest affections, AMI was enjoying the
approving smiles Of the lovely fair one.
his waggish companions went privately to
the door Of the house where the officer was,
took his saddle and bride from the horse,
which they sent away, placed the bride on
the tail and the saddle on the back. and
the crupper over the horn of q quiet old
COW, who stood peacaebly chewing her cud
near the spot. immediately thereafter they
retired some distance from the house, aud
separating, raised the cry Of alarm, that
the enemy had landed and were marching
into the village. tar.r psf~ct
Our hero, on hearing this, took counsel
from MS fears. and snaching hasty kiss,
he shot ont Of the door with, the velocity
OF musket ball, and mounted in to the
saddle. with his back toward the head OF
the cow, and plunginS his SHARP, spurs
keeAly into her sides caused her to bawl
ont with excessive pain, and she daIted
in her best gallop towards the camp. The
officer still plying bis spurs with all his
wine on board-fnding himself hurried
rapidly backwards. maugrs all his Ell
orts to advance, and hearing the repeated
Rawlings OF the tortured beast, imagined
that he was carried off by magic, and roar
ing out most Justify that the devil had
got him-was TINS carried into the very
center of the camp.
The sentinels hearing the noise, dis
charged their pieces and fed. and alarm
guns were fred-the drums beat to arms,
the officers left their quarters and cried
'tur0 OUT" with all the strength Of their
lungs. The soldiers started from their
sleep as If ghost had disturbed their
dreams. and the whole body running half
naked as quick as possible in gallant dis
haJule, prepared to repel the terrible in
vader. When, 10! the ludicrous sight
presented itself to their eyes, ofths 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 petrifed with horror. -
A loud roar of laughter burst from the
assembled band, at the rider and his steed:
the whole corps gave him three times
three cheers as he bolted into camp.
He was carried to quarters in triumph
there to dream of lovers, metamorphoses,
backward rides, stesnway advances, alarm
Of invasion. and thereby garnish his mind,
with material for writing splendid treat
Use on the novel sdventure Of cow1ide.