Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-06-30

tate, until. when it came to the hero of
this tale. there was little left of the an
cestral acres. But Dick Poole cared
naught for this As long as he had
the privilege Of fishing and shooting
over the old place land the newcomers
never refused him) and could procure
enough Of money from his agent to get
drunk as often as he liked, he let the
world wag, and saw the property slide
from him with the equanimity of an
impecunious philosopher. lie had
been weaned. so to speak, upon the
bottle. When boy. his worthy sire
used to encourage him to SIP stitfpunch
from tumbler specially reduced in
dimensions TO suit his tender years. A
gun was made ior him with similar
view to the fitnes of things. When he
grew up he was presented with larg
er tumbler and q bigger gun. On one
occasion he rode 4 steeple-chase, and
when he came in 4 winner. his father
delightedly exclaimed dick, I'm
prouder Of YOU this moment than if YOU
wrote the Bible" His education was
supposed to have been amply provided
for when he could h Id his own with
the hounds, and distinguish himself
with gun in the bogs or the stubbe.
The consequence of this hereditary
course OF training was, that Dick be-
came dead shot, and possessed of n
wonderful head for whskcy. He dis
posed of farm after farm of his estate,
until at length nothing was left him
but the old house, which he stuck to,
and an old retainer, Dan. Doherty,
tv which might be described ~ melo
dramic. Poole, Of course from his
habits, was not welcome guest among
the country families, though they uni
vcrsally admitted his right to consider
himsclfof their caste. lie Kept up,
however, custom OF visiting the ofh-
GERS who were stationed at u small gar
rlson town III the ncighDorhood and
il was mt their mess, to which he wa,
invited. that the circumstances arose,
the sequel Of which rendered his name
IA household word throughout the
province.
During dinner, Poole conducted him
self we'll enough. He was fortunately
Y placed next a quiet. sucking ensign
Y but when the claret was disposed OF.
when the Major left the room, and
strong waters were called on. Poole
laid himself out. as was usual with INN,
for hard night. 4 few of the men.
- +. 4,
lated on putting him under the table
but before Dick had shown the slight
est token Of undue eNhilaratlon, sever
al or Ills cnt ertainerS were talking
thickly ard laughing lOndiN. hunting
and shooting stories We're exchanged
with a crc-endo of mcndaclty on the
part OF the narrators n the night all
vauccd. Dick had set them all IN II
roar by describing how lie nad shot
down every bird in a covev save one I;
land left him." shouted Dick. TO
breed At length the conversation
turned upon swimming.
Talking Of swimming put in PooIc
do YOU know the ellis ut the seaside
of poolgara' III bet any man III
Jump oh' the highest part OF those cliffs,
and carry another fellow on my back. 7.
4 universal burst Of laughter, and
cries of Take you up, old boy. How
much can YOU book for greeted this
insane challenge.
When the noise had somewhat sub
sided, Lieutenant Browne. the senior
Lieutenant of the regiment. produced q
betting book, and said 10 Dick III
YOU are serious, Poole. for IA hundred
you don't do it"
Done !" replied Dick at once and
it was fixed there and then that the per
tormance was to take place on the fol-
lowing Saturday.
For wonder Poole walked oil
steadier than many Of his host could
on that night. Lieutenant Brown ex-
pressed himself well in to win; ''ior
if the fool would be mad enough TO
attempt such a thing hims elf. there is
no one living who would be idiot
enough to 60 on his back" thought
he. Next morning Poole told Dan
Doherty how he had enjoyed himself
at the ba. racks, and then quietly men
toned the bet, as if he made nothing
Of it. Dan for few seconds could
not speak a word for horror and sur
prise; at last he managed to stammer
out 80, Master Dick, Master Dick
whatever dye name be it? Is it out av
yer sinses ye are, intirely"
"No, you old goose, I'm not out
Of my Senses" replied Poole. 4 want
. to win hundred pounds and what 1
more, Dan," he went on coaxingly,
''you must help me to win it.
..Begorra, thin, l won't" burs,
out Dan with rebellious energy. I've
, sarved you, man an boy, this many
year but hand or part or fut, SC
help me-"
"Look here, Dan. don't intenc
r to do it at all, and still intend tC
gain the wager. We want it, as yot
.. know, badly"
/, God help us, tbs thrue for you
sir, we do" said Dan emphatically.
'.Well, here's my plan. Wen b'
!. on the ground. You'll get on my
n back" Dan made forcible gesture
| of dis.ent), and just as we seem abou
5 to start the police will be on the spo
h to stop us. do you take?)
II You name that we're to put then
; up to it? Is that it, sir?
!, Yes, Of course
q But, thin, won't the bet be dhraw