Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1866-02-21
-~-.-.fSYNS ABOUT"

ehc" "Sio So'S y"N"S
upper tendon of those dsys-sensible
looking creatures, happy as larks, and al
ways full Of fun and mischief. 1t hap
pened that among fifteen or twenty young
men residing in that section there was
one BY the name of Miller, surly- faced,
grizzly haired, chuHy and moon-eyed
chapswho became wofully smitten with
the most charming Of the aforesaid young
ladies-who, of all the buckskins in the
wilds of Texas, was most unlikely TO be a
successful diplomatist in matters where
the gentle sex were to be CONSULTED, won
apd wed.
His visits became less like those Of an
gels-frst once a month, then doubling
to twice a month, and once a week-"and
soon" said the old man, ''this amber spit
ting, deer killing fellow was almost every
day forcing his company on poor Betty"
Many jokes at her expense followed, of
course, and she resolved, after suffering
under them tor some time, to get clear OF
her admirer or quit the rancho herself.
An opportunity offered on the following
Sabbath. 1t being watermelon season
and Betty's father having fine supply,
all the youngsters for miles around assem-
blsd there on the holiday to feast on
melons. NJ. was prominent in the circle
until afternoon. Betty had private in
terview with :he young men and arranged
that NJ. should be decoyed from the house
and fris htened by the cry of Indians"
from some Of his comrades, which would
wound his pride aud drive him away. \
swim in the river, some three hundred
yards distant, was proposed by one and
seconded BY several. OF course poor NJ.
was in.
They wect to the ford near the melon
patch, and began undressing. In the
meantime eight or ten others, with guns,
had gone down under cover of the bank,
and secfetcd themselves along the path
from the bathing place to the house. The
with Miller were in fne glee,
aud in going down spoke of The recent
outrages of the Inuians, their increased
boldness, &c, thus exciting the anti-com-
bative bumps of Miller to the highest
pitch.
"Now, boys" said one, ''who'n jump
into the river first 2"
"I'Il bet I'm first in" said Miller, "by
Josh I'm first with the gals-in course
I'm first here"
Off went coats, pants, shoes, socks, sc
Just as Miller had dofFed everything but
his short red flannel shirt-bang bang
lang! why-o-wo-ya. bang. went two,
three and four more guns-loud aud more
'hrill rose the terrible warhoop in the
iense brrsl, under the bank.
"Good gracious I'm dead man."
5roaned James Simpson.
My leg is broken. Oh, save NE :"
George Williams.
"lsun for life men run for mercy's
iake, run y cried Jack Parson, zone of !
ny eyes are out, and both legs broken !"
All was said in an instant--do you see !
hat red blaze along the path? Look !
moment what velocity. That jagged hair
Ill straight out behind-that is Miller !
treaking for the house shirt and all-see
lin turn the corner of the field, by the
corner of the thicket-bang! bang went
lalf dozen pieces, and louder than ever
ose the hidoous war cry.
"Oh, my" grunted Miller, redoubling
lis speed, the red blaze getting larger,
md punches of his bushy hair dropping
ut as he spread himself-see him leap
ne yard fence, high in air, red shirt and
II.
The porch was full of ladies-ofT went
wo or three more guns-M. glanced at
he ladies and then at his short flannel
hirt
"Run for your life, M" screamed
Betty, "the house is full of Indians
sther is dead and brother Sam is wounded.
iun speed ~
In the :winklinS of an eye NJ. was out
# the yard, and supposing the premise
urrounded, off he shot-the red blaze
more brilliant than ever-and striking
lirectly for the thick. thorny bottom, he
cached and swan the river, and although
was nearly sunset, NJ. got into settle
nent fifty miles distaut to breakfast next
morning, still retaining the sleeves aud
'ollar Of his red shirt, and reported all