Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-03-28

IDENTIFY never been reused to a knowledg 2
OF himself, and others felt Just as uneei
tain of what that knowledge might bFin
forth as he did, and were not special
Eealous Of having it tested upon thei
own persons. So that Jack Long Nigh
have bean left many day in quiet, eve
in this formidable neighbOrhood, TO GU
tivate his passion for Workmanship a
the expense of the dumb wild thing
around him, but for an unfortunate dis
display he was accidensly induced +
make of it.
Happening to fall short of ammunition
he went one day to the store for a fresl
supply. The cabin store, togethe
with the blacksmith shop, and one or tw,
other huts, constituted the county town
and as powder and liquor were only to b,
obtained there, it was the central resor
OF the regulators. Jack found them al
collected for shooting match, in prepa
ration for which they were getting drunk
as fast-as possible, to steady their nerves
Hineh, the Regulator captain, had al
ways been the hero of such occasions, fol-
IN addition TO his being frstrste shot, il
was known that il would be a dangerous
exhibition of skill for any man to beai
him-for he was furious and vindictiye
bully. and would not fail to make a per
sonal affair of it with any one who would
mortify his vanity by carrying the prize
of from him. In addition, the band ol
scoundrels he commanded were entirely
at his service in any extreme, so that
they made fearful odds for a single man
to contend with.
Everybody else in the country was
aware of this state of things but Jack
Long. and he either did not know or did
not care. After they had fred several
rounds, he went lounging listlessly into
the group which had gathered around
the target, exclaiming over the last bril-
liant shot of Hinch, who was triumph
antly the best. The bully was, as usual,
clustering Vehemently. taunting everyone.
and when he saw Jack looking very
cody at the famous shot, with no grin of
that admiration in his expression which
was demanded, he snatched up the
board and thrusting it insultingly close
to his face, rosred out .'.'-... -.
Here, you Jack Long Shanks-look
at that Take a good look! Can you
beat itI"
Jack drew back with quiet laugh and
said good humoredly- ....
"Psnawl you don't brag on such shoot
in as that, do your"
Brag on it Pd like to see such
moon-eyed chap as you beat it %
Il don't know as I'd be very proud to
beat such bungling work as that %
"You don't, don't you?" yelled the
fellow, now fairly in q rage at Jacks
coolness. you'll try it, by God! Well
see what sort of swell you are !"
"Oh, WELL" said Jack, interrupting
him as he was about to rave for quantity,
just set up your board, if you want to
see me put ball through every hole you
can make !"
Perfectly sstonished at this rash beard
ing of the lion-for it was difficult to tell
whether contempt or simplicity dictated
Jacks manner-the men set up the
board while he walked back TO the stand,
and carelessly swinging his heavy rifle
from his shoulder, firing seemingly as
quick as thought, "It's trick of mine"
said he, moving toward the mark as he
lowered his gun 81 caught it from
shootin' vsrmints in the eyes; al
ways take 'em there. It's q notion I've
sot-it's my fun" They all ran eagerly
10 the target, and sure enough his ball,
which was larger than Hinch's, had
passed through the same hole, widening
IL
" He's a humbug It's all aceidentl-i
He can't do it again !" shouted the ruff |
ian. turning pale till his lips looked blue,
IS the board was held up.
"Pn bet the ears of Buffalo calf
against his that he can't do it again
:" If you mean by that, to bet your ears
against mine, 1 take you up !" said Jack,
laughing, while the rest could not help
dining him. Hinch glanced around him |
With fierce, chafed look, before which
hose who knew him best quailed, and
With compressed lips silently loaded his
gun. A new target was put up, at which |
liter long and careful aim, he fired. The
'hot was fine one, the edge of the ball
having just broken the center. Jack, af- |
,er looking at it. quietly remarked:
Pumping the centre is my fashion,
I'll show you trick or two Captain |
Hinch, about the clear thing in shooting. |
live us a new board there, boys"
Another board was set up, and after |
ihrowiDg his gun on the level, in the
anne raIid, careless style as before, he
ired; and when the eager crowd around |
he target announced that he had driven |
he centre cross clear out, he turned up-l
IN his heel, and with pleasant nod to
dinch, started to walk off. The rufian |
,alled hoarsely after him:
81 thought you were id coward
You have made two good shots by acci-
lent, and now you sneak off to brag that
Vou've beat me. Come back, sir You
amt shoot before muzzle as true p
Jack walked on without noticing this
Mortal insult and challenge, while Hinch
aughed tauntingly, long and loui-jeer-
ng him with exulting bitterness as long
Is he could make himself heard, as "a
lash in the pan"-"a dunghill cock who
lad shown the white feather" while the
nen who had been surprised into a re-
pect for Long, and who were still more
stonished at what they considered his
'acking out, Joined clsmorously in hoot-
ng his retreat. ...
The fools They made fatal mistake
q supposing he left the insult uDresent-
ID from any fear of himself. Jack Long
lad young and pretty wife at home,
nd his love for her was stronger than
lis resentment for his own Indignity.-
His passions were slow, and had never
'een fully roused-none of them at least
'ut this great love, and that presented
Ter instantly forlorn and detracted, with
Ier little ones in this wild country,
hould he throw away his life with such
esperate odds; and seeing the turn the
fairs was likely to take, he had prudent
? determined to get away before it had
one too far. But had any of those men
cen that spasm of agony which shivered
cross his massive features as these jibing
oices rang upon his ear in insult, which
% proud free hunter might endure, they
Tould have taken the hint to beware Of
hafng the silent foaming bear any
,nger. {
This was an ill-starred day for Jack, &
hough; from this day troubles began to 7
aicken around him. The very tenor of I
is simple happy life was destroyed, and
,dignity and outrage followed each 9TH &
: fast. Hinch never forgsve the un- |
icky skill which robbed him of his {
roudest boast, that of being the best c
larksman on the frontier; and he swore t
, base, vindiotiVe hate to dog him to t
cath, or make him lesYe the country a
oon after this. a valuable horse. belong e