Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-01
!. ONE OF JONCE HOOPER,s BEST.

p Old Col. D. OF the Mobile District was one
of the most singular characters ever known In Ala
hama He was testy and eccentric, but possessed
many fine qualities, which were fully appreciated
by the people Of the district Many of his freaks
are fresh in the memory of the "old 'uns" of Mo-
bile, and ell of theInwll tell you that the Colonel
couple Of legal tyros Il IS George Wyss s%.,1, ~
believe, that tells te story but however that may
be, It is in keeping with Others related Of the old
gentleman -s- rc1I i1says-a1s 2sia.f3 az
|. Il seems that Col, Dr. had MISUNDERSTANDING
with the gentlemen alluded To- and was not on
speaking terms with them although all Of the three
were professedy riding the circuit together. The
Young ones beiHg well aware Of the Colonels
irrascibe nature determined, as they left pfthe
courts for another, to have some sport at his eX-
pense BY the way. They accordingly got abont
half hours start IN leaving and presently arrived
at dark, broad stream, that looked as If it might
be dozen feet deep but which in reality was
hardly more than ns many inches. Crossing il, they
lighted, pulling of their coats and boots, and sat
down quietly to watch for the sold Tartar sl''
Joggng along at length, up came the old fellow.
lie looked first at the youngsters, who were gravey
drawing on their boots and coats, as IT they had
| lust had a swn--and then he looked nj the broad
creek that ruled before him like fluent translucent
star. The Colonel was awfuly puzzled i. g. lFE
"ls this creek syipppting? be growled, after. q
pause OF some moments.
NO Icpl1 WIS 1DuHR simPy
mounted their horses md rode of some little dis
tance and stopped to watch our hero.o: 100 y
! The Colonel slowly divested himself Of boots,
coats pantaloons and drawers. These he neatly
tied up In his handkerchief and hung them on the
horn of his saddle. Then he remounted; and as he
was q fat short man, with a pannch Of inordinate
size rather inadequate legs, face like withered
apple, and brown wig, there is no doubt be mado
an Interesting picture as he besro1e his steed with
the "breeEe holding gentle dalliance' with the ex
tremites of his only garment s'lmil Dc 1,- =
Slowlr and cautiously did the old gentleman and
his horse take the creek Half length and the
water was not fetlock deep. Here the horse
stopped TO drink. A length and half--and then
the stream no deeper Thirty feet further and.A
decided shoaling --
| Here Col. D. refined up.
"There must" hesaid, a6c swim, deep channel
between this and athe bank. See how the water
runs b., We will,dash threugbl"ha79,lsj u n Toe
A sharp Lash made the horse spring tho IYatery
waste aud another carried The horse and rider safe
TO the opposite bank The creek was nowhere
more than foot deep, E tlgfl aoi o. nlYI8 0''1
A wild yell from the young 'uns announced their
lapprecation,of the sport as they galloped away
""rll catch you, you rascals," was groaned be-
tween Col. D. teeth and away he galioped 10
hot pursuit muttering vengeance on his foes. Gipos
On, on they sped, pursuer and pursued, The
youngsters laughed yelled and screamedi the Color
mel damned with mighty emphasis, while bis shirt
futtered and cracked In the wind, like loose ay-
, ing lib. aT 20 Esrih@llolg s ia-saai a1 VI
} On, on, and the pursusr reached the farmhouse
: on the roadside. Their passing startled hock q
geese from the fence corner which, as the Colonel
! dashed up met him with outstretched wings,
elongated necks and hises dire His horse swerved
suddenly aud the Colonel was upon the ground In
i In most unromaniic 'heap," With bis brown wig oy
his side ana hls bundle of clothes scattered around
: The whine headed children OF the house came
ont frs tooka distant view Of tile monster, as u
seemed olhem, aud thea returned 20 report pro-
. grrss After little the father Of the family came,
Snd,he affair being explained assisted the Colonel
I in making his toilet the Colonel swearing aad the
E countryman laughing allsahs while. -,
u Dressed and remounted, our hero started oa with
l. a woful phiz, and was soou out Of sight .,.,.i,
4 Eea. A wedding wes Interrupted lately in Col
6 chester Enslhnd ny the lcvity Of the groom Al
went we'll until ihn Clergyman required the bride
groom 10 repeat after him the words, N -------