The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-10-08
COLONEL CRlCKlEY'S HORSE.

have never been able to ascertain
the origin of the quarrel between the
Crickleys and the brakes. They had
lived within mile of each other for hive
wears, and from the first of their acquaint.
ance there had been mutual feeling OF
dislike between the two families. Then
some Misunderstanding about the
boundary of the respective farms reveal
ed the latent flame, and Col. Crickley
having followed fat buck all one after
noon, and wounded him, came up 10
him and found old Drake and his sons
cutting him up! This incident added
fuel TO the fire, and from that time there
was nothing the two families did not do
to annoy each other.
One evening Mr.. Drake the older was
returning home with his pocket full OF
rocks" from Chicago, whittier be had
been to dispose OF IA load of grain. Sam
Barstow was with him on the wagon,
and as they approached the grove which
interviewed between them and Mr..
Brakes house, he observed to his COM
panion:
"What a beautiful mark Crickley's
old roam is over yonder"
"Hang it ?" muttered Drake, $50 it is.
The horse was standing under some
trees about twelve rods from the road.
Iuvoluntarily Drake stopped his team
he glanced furtively around, then
with q queer smile the old hunter took
up his rifle from the bottom of his wagon
and raising 1t to his shoulder, drew
sight on the Colonefs horse.
"Beautifulw he muttered lowering his
rifle with the air of a man resisting
powerful temptation. Il could drop
old Roam so easy"
"Shoot," suggested Sam Barstow,who
loved fun in any shape.
mo, no, 'twouldn't do" said the old
hunter, glancing around him again.
al won't tell" said Sam.
oval, won't shoot this, any way,
tell or no tell. The horse is too nigh.
If he was fifty rods off instead of twelve,
so there'd be bare possibility of mis-
taking him for a deer, I'd fly. As it is,
I'd give the Colonel five dollars for a
shot"
At that moment the Colonel himself
stepped from behind big oak, not
halt dozen PAGES distant, and before
Drake.
well, why don't you shoot 7"
The old hunter stammered in some
fuson-"That you, Colonel! II was
tempted to, and l said, I'll give "N"I
for one pull"
"Say an Y and it's n bargain /"
Drake felt of his rifle, and looked at
old Roam.
"Ho v much is the boss worth 7" he
muttered in SAM ear.
"About fifty"
"Gad, Colonel, Pll do it Here's your
*"
The Colonel pocketed the money, NUT
tering-
"Hanged if thought you'd take me
upp
with high glee the old hunter put a
fresh cap on his rifle, and stood up in
his wagon, q close sight on old Roam.
Sam Barslow chuckled. The Colonel
nut his hand before his face and chuck
led too.
Crack, went the rifle. The hunter
tore out horrid oath, which l Will not
repeat. Sam was astOnished. The
Colonel laughed. Old Roam never stir
red
Drake stared at his rifle with a look
black as Othello's. whats the mat
ter with you. heyi Fus time you ever
sarved me quite snch trick, l swar."
And Drake loaded the piece with great
wrath and Indignation.
People said you'd lost you knack of
shooting" observed the Colonel, in q
cutting tone of satire.
no said sol It's liew Numbered
Drake. 81 can shoot"
"A horse at ten rods! ha ha! haI,
Drake was livid.
Look yere, Colonel, can't stand
"Never mind, the horse can" spssred
the Col. "I'll risk you"
Grinding his teeth Drake produced an
other ten dollar bill.
"Herew he growled. "Pm bound to
have another shot, any way"
Crack away" cried the Colonel, pock-
citing the note.
Drake did crack away-with deadly
aim too-but the horse did not mind the
bullet in the least. To the rage and
unutterable establishment of the hunter
old Roam looked him in the face as if ht
rather liked the fun.
Drake, cried Sam, you are drunk 9
morse at dozen rods-oh, my eyesw
just shut your mouth, or Pll shoot
YOU tnuhaered the excited Drake. eth,
oullets was hollow, Pll swear. %Th,
M au iies VINO says can't shoot! Las
week i cut of goose's head at fifty rods