Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-06-28
THE DEACON,S BULL.

which was his ability to raise the finest stock
In the whole of New England. In his young
er days the deacon had command Of com
pany of State troops, which had done service
during the last war with Great Britain, and
though he had failed, in the technical ap-
pllcatlon of the term, Ito smell gunpow-
der, yet he he had received the infusion of
warlike spirit, and earned the title of cap
tain, which, on the principle of ''once a
captain always captain, stuck to him,
and mingled with the more peaceful cogno-
men of the deacon.
The warlike spiri. inbibed in his youth
the deacon could never conquer, even though
he had been frequently rebuked by the good
dominic for showing so much of the church
militant III his daily bearing and ne could
find no greater delight, when he could OBJ
tain an audience, than In recalling the days
OF his captalncy and telling the bl0odless
tales of when | was out in I3 and IA" p"
Among the deacon S fine stock was bull
a splendid animal, which for strength, size,
and beauty, excited the envy and admiration
of the whole country. So much was the
deacon bull priced, that very soon its own
er began to think that he possessed the most
wonderful animal that ever existed, and to
boast accordingly. From morning to night
nothing could be heard in the neighborhood
OF Lltchfield but the praises of the deacon 5
bull, aud estimations of its value. At last
to such pitch did this estimation reach,
that the deacon, not content with bearing
the palm from every cattle raiser in the coun-
try, sought, like Alexander, fresh worlds to
conquer, and offered his bull to the compe-
tltIon OF the whole country. To do this
properly, deacon Jones issued handbill,
setting forth in glowing lines the qualities of
his bull, its, size, weight, and color, leading
off with a challenge to any one possessing
an animal of like size and age, to vanquish
the deacon in fair fight for one hundred
dollars Here it was that the old warlike
spirit pecped forth, and the deacon, Instead
OF Offering to match his bull for any of those
qualities that go toward making good beef
protfered the challenge for its fighting quail
lty.
These handbills were scattered far and
wide by the aid OF a peripatetic peddler, and
one of them found its way to the hands of
a noted breeder of stock in the western part
of the State, who determined on accepting
the challenge on behalf of a fine young ami
NAL of his own, and making an attempt to
cordingly he started with his bull for the
deacon $, but by some DELAYS on the road he
did not reach his destination until late on
Saturday afternoon. Upon his stating his
errand he was warmly welcomed by the dea-
con and honest praise bestowed upon the
splendid animal he had brought with him
1t was too late that evening for the trial,
and the bull was accordingly driven into the
rich pastures to recruit after the journey,
and his owner made free to the deacon 5
home.
The next day being Sabbath, the family
all set forth to church, the deacon surrend-
ering his place in the family pew to the
stranger and staying at home under plea Of
not feeling well. After they were all gone,
the deacon, to aid in dismissing the thought
of the two bulls, and Of the coming fight
tomorrow, got down the family bible and
read chapter but still the bulls would
mix themselves with the texts, and wander
away with his thoughts At last the dea-
con could stand it no longer, and putting on
his hat, out he went to take one look at the
fierce monster that was Oh the MORROW to
carry the laurels from his bull, and the
hundred dollars from him, or leave him the
happy victor.
There be stood in the centre Of the field,
coal black, and shaking his fierce shaggy
head in defiance The deacon gazed in ad-
miration and the thought crept into his
brain that to- morrow was a long time to wait
and that there was no body to see and no
one to tell tales, he might as well give the
bulls Just one little turn at each other that
he might be the better able TO Judge, and if
the contest waxed too warm he could drive
off his own animal without trouble. No
sooner thought than done, and the deacon
steathily let down the bars that led into the
field and proceeded to drive his bull, but the
strange bull in an instant saw the entrance
open, and without delay, rushed through
and in less time than it takes tell to it, tack
led the deacon's bull
The fight was terrible and the deacon de-
lighted For while he forgot his Sabbath
breaking in the keen enjoyment Of the fight,
and the belief that his bull would be the
victor, but at length the stranger began 20
have the best of it, and the deacon, fearing
the defeat of his tavorite, took hand in
the fight himself He tore rail from the
fence and rushed at the black bull, punch
ing him in the rear, and striving to drive
him back to his pasture. The attack IN
stead of attaining its object only increased
the animal S rage, until with one fierce lunge
he laid his antagonist on the ground, pierre
ed him through the chest with one thrust of
his sharp horns, and laid him dead in an in
slant.
No sooner had he finished his work in
front than. like good soldier, he made for
the enemy in the rear and the deacon made
for the opening in the fence with the bel
lowing monster close at his heels.
Away they went, deacon and bull, straight
for the house, the first putting and blowing
under his fearful speed, the last paving and
believing In a manner to strike terror into
frmer hearts than that of the deacon. 1t
was terrible race but the deacon won 1t
by few yards, just slamming the door OF
the house in the face of the bull, and rush
ing to the kitchen for safety In moment
he heard with terror the blow Of the mon