Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-02-05
agricultural
A srNnAY nrLI. ElanI.

1uhleheu ntufll luitN eNAlH "hNs
We insist that all games ct chance have a
tendency to moral corruption, and when en-
onged in,win depraye the most yiriuous mind.
To illustrate this truth, we will relate long
anecdote, direct to the point We shall not,
like the writer's Of modern fiction, state that
our tale is founded on facts, but shall relate
the facts themselves, substantially as received
from a worthy descendant of the prominent
party, long since deceased He grandfather,
the hero Of our story, was no less personage
than the Hon. Timothy RugRlos, counsellor
at law. Of iaceiiQu US memory, who emigrated
from the sterile sands Of Cape Cod, to the fer
tile hills Of Hardwick, in the county Of Wor-
cester. about the year 1850. As an advocai,
he was respectable and successful, but that
was not his hobby. In agriculture he was
proficient, and the sports OF the fields were
his favorite amusemente, and his oyerweoning
attachment to dogs, is an unalienable inherl-
lance OF the family. He was general Of a
brigade in his Maiesty's colonial militia, and
the little Of Brgader is still connected with
his name.
During his residence in Hardwick, he was in
habits Of intimacy with the feigning family in
the county, the ChandleFs, and in token Of
friendship, presented Col. Gardner Chandler,
sheriff Of the country, with fac bIooded colt
Col, Chandler, no less courteous and liberal,
reciprocated the compliment, and made the
Brigadier a present Of bull calf, the fruit of
very large imported COW, he bad purchased
with the calf by her side, having been drop
ped on the passage. Time and good keeping
rpened this calf 10 a bull Of great tize and
beauty. He was the pride OF The herd, and
almost idoized by his owner, who YVES SO con-
fdent OF his bulls inyincbllty that he chal-
lenged the whole country to produce a match
for him In the field Of battle, and would pledge
any sum that should be required upon the is
sue Of the contest. Weeks and months pas-
sed before any sntagonist appeared. a length
the challenge reached the ears Of a man in
Connecticut (Pomiret, uejeye) who owned
bull, whose pedigree was as noble and his
prowess as renowned IN bis neighborhood, as
was the Brigadier's in Hsrdwiok. Fired with
emulation, and knowing that his bull would
not take a stump, he started with his cham
pion for Hardwick, and arrived on a Saturday
evening. and took up the Birgadiers gage.
The battle was appointed for the Monday fol-
lowing, and $50 staked upon the issue. Az
ter the prelimnaries were settled, and the
General had time for reflection he had some
Quslms of regret Tor his unprecedented def
ance OF all competitors with his bull. He had
given the challenge in exultaiion at the victor
les his bull had gaiued over all domestic enc
mics but had not calculated that one of "the
bulls of Bashan" would appear to accept il,
for the size and figure Of his new enemy was
evidence in his mind that he must have pro-
ceeded from that stock
Notwithstanding his humorous ecoentricties
Gen. Ruggles possessed fair and honest mind,
and disdained every dishonorable subteGfuge
that was not professionally required. But the
bull bet had reduced him to the level of the
gamester, and his dignity and pride Of charac-
ter fell with him, and low and dishonorable
evasion was summoned to his aid, in the pres
sing dilems. Under the influence of such i'm
preston, he laid his plan and retired to rest
The ensuing day, the Sabbath, the General
was more rigid in observing than was custom
airy, even in those puritanical days. for not
one of his family was permitted to stay from
meeting the Connecticut bull owner (whom,
for want of another name, we shall call Bull
lum) want of course. But at noon the Briga-
der pretended ill-healtb, and excused himself
from attending afternoon services But no
sooner was the coast clear of witnesses, than
he prepared to execute his esign--which was
to assist his bull in defeating his enemy that
day, that he might more certainly prove VIC
torious the next. He accordingly armed him
self with pitchiork, and repaired to his barn
yard, surrounded by huge stone wall, which
he had selected for the bloody arena, and in
troduced the combatants. Now, readers, had
we the pen of Virgil, we could paint you a
scene that would strain your eye balls to look
at, but we shall not cover fiction nor fancy,
but 90 right on and tell our story, only stop
ping to remind the Roman farmer, that his
libidinous heroes were mere COW babies to
ours, and the prize but tickle Mistress
Whoever has witnessed the fierce and undaun-
ted fronts of these noble animals when first
cycling a foe, well knows that no time will be
lost in sine qua non, nor manijestoes, but when
"bull meets bull, then comes the tug of war
The below OF defiance, which re-echoed from
the surrounding hills, was the dreadful 'note
OF preparation" and the paw of make ready"
was instantly followed by the push of head,
and the gore of horn. So nearly matched in
courage were our champions that for time
the scale of victory seemed equally balanced,
But at this eyentful crisis, the imprudence OF
Ruggles turned them Blinded by Ignorance
to the natural effects Of his measures, he at
tackled Blue Law in his rear with his fork,
which so chafed and irritated him that he re-
doubled his exertions against his more honor
able foe, who was unable to resist 80 violent
an assault, and gave ground his annoyed en-
envy lost no time in following his advantage,
while his antagonist disputed every inch, and
fought valantly on the retreat. The General
saw his discontinue with rage aud despair,
and repeated his vengeful goads upon the con-
quoror, which but new nerved MIN for victory,
and he pursued his exhausted and unfortunate
enemy to the corner Of the fatal wall, where
still head to head, he exerted his last desper.
ate effort for life and victory, but in vain -
Alas poor fellow, his fate was sealed. hi;
neck was broken and he fell lifeless at the
feet Of the heroic victor who viewed with
dignifed pride his fallen foe, but disdaned &c
mutilate his gallant remains. He had a living
enemy who was worthy Of his revenge, who
with rage and modification, was still goatd
ing his launches with his fork. With retr
butiye fury be turned upon the Brgader
who realized his danger, dropped his useles,
weapon, "and took to his heels" The inoen
sed bull followed, with glaring eye balls anC
Infatuated bellow-the gate was opened, bu
no time for closing pulled for hii
life, and the bull at hs neels--the door YARD
was crossed in a twnkhng--the front door
was luckily open-Ruggles entered half dead
with afright-ihe bull within a fathom, burn
ing with revenge Ruggles took to the patlo
a L III 4