The Republican journal., 1870-06-16
DICK POOLE'S JUMP.

Dick Poole's father came of stock, the Pooles of
foolgara OF hard drinkers, and hard riders, who
were never known to do useful thing or an unkind
act, and who were consequently very popular with
the tenants. 1t need scarce be said that Poogarra
was in Ireland, and that the system of management
pursued by the owners was such as 10 reduce the
dimensions of the estate until when it came to the
nero OF inns tale there was little left of the ancestral
acres. But Dick Poole cared naught for this. As
long as ne had the privilege of fishing and shooting
over the old place (and the new -comers never re,
fused him) and could procure enough of money
from his agent to get drunk often as he liked he
1et the world Wag, and saw the property slide from
MIN with the equanimity of an impecunious philos-
opher. He had been weaned, so to speak, upon the
bottle. When a boy, his worthy sire used to en-
courage him to sip stiff punch from tumbler spec
laiy reduced IN dimensions to suit his tender years.
A gun was made for him with similar view to the
htneSs OF things. When he grew up he was pre-
sented with larger tumber and bigger gun. On
one occasion he rode a steeple-chase and when he
came in winner, his father delightedly exclaimed
"Dick, Pm prouder of you this moment than if YOU
wrote the Bible !" His education was supposed to
have been amply provided for when he could hold
ms own with the hounds and distinguish himself
With gun i'll the bogs or the stubbe.
The consequence of this hereditary course of
tranng lanlng vas that Dick became dead shot, and
possessed Of wonderful head for wliskey. He
disposed OF farm after farm of his estate, until ut
length nothing was left him but the old house,
which he stuck to, and an old retainer Dan Doher-
ty, who clung to his fortunes with fidelity which
might be described as melodramic Poole of course
from his habits, was not welcome guest among
the country families though they universally adj
mltted his right to consider himself of their caste.
tie kept up, however, Il custom Of visiting the Off
GERS who were stationed ut small garrison town
IN the neghborhood; and it was at their mess, to
which he was invited. that the circumstances arose
the sequel of which rendered his name a housed old
word throughout the province.
During dinner, Poole conducted himself well
enough. He was fortunately placed next quiet.
sucking ensign; but when the clarct was dispos ed
of, when the Major left the ROOM and strong wa
called laid snlf ont
usual with him, for a hard night A few of the
men, seeing the rate at which he went calculated
on putting him under the table; but before Dick
had shown the slightest token of undue eXhiiara-
ton, several Of his entertainers We're talking thick
y and laughing loudly. Hunting and shooting
stories We're exchanged with cresceudo of men
dacty on the part of the narrators the night adj
vanced. Dick had set them all i'll aroar BY describ-
ing how he had shot down every bird in a covey
save one; ''and 1 left him." shouted Dick Ito
breed" At length the conversation turned upon
swimming.
''Talkins of swimming" put in Poole do you
know the cliffs at the seaside of Poolgara. I'll bet
any man Iii jump Oft the highest part of those
Cliffs and carry another fellow on my back"
A universal burst of laughter, and cries of "Take
you up, old boy How much can you book for y
greeted this insane challenge.
When the noise had somewhat subsidized, Lieutcn-
ant Browne, the senior Lieutenant Of the regiment
produced betting-book, and said to Dick: If you
are serious, Poole, for hundred you don't do it,"
"Done " replied Dick at once; and it was fixed
place on the following Saturday.
For wonder Poole walked off steader than
many of his hosts could on that night. Lieutenant
Brown expressed himself well in to win; '.for if
the fool would be mad enough to attempt such Il
thing himself, there is no one living who would be
idiot enough to go on his back thought he. Next
morning Poole told Dan Doherty how he had en-
joyed himself at the barracks, and then quietly
mentioned the bet, as if he made nothing of it,
Dan for few seconds could not speak It word for
horror and surprises at last he managed 70 stammer
out, so, Master Dick Master Dick, whatever dye
name be it Is it out av yer sinscs ye are, ntire
ly ,"
No, YOU old goose, I'm not out Of my Senses
replied Poole. Il want to win hundred pouu,ls;
YOU must help me to win it."
1Begorra, thin, | won't y burst out Dan with re-
bellious energy. S'rve sarved you, an hoy,
this many year; but hand or part or fut, so help
'.Look here, Dan. don't intend to dc 1t at all,
and still | intend TO gain the wager, We want it,,
as you know, badly
God help us, It's thrue for you, sir, we do"
said Dan, cmphacally.
"Wcll, here's my plan. Wen be on the ground
You'll get my back dan made forclhe gest-
ure of dissent, and Just seem about to start
The police will be on the spot to stop do you
take y
You name that were to put them up 10 it Is
that it, sir -
"Ies, of course
but, thin, won't the bet be dhr;w, sir =
''No, it won't Do Won think ia make such n
wager without taking that should have an
advantage over these English boobies? Leave it to
me, Dan. Follow my directions, and youl find
everything will BE right I'll go into the town
myself to-day and speak to the Head Constable"
The eventful morning arrived, cold grey morn
ing it was, in July. The officers We're all on the
ground looking over the cliff, which was fully from
ninety to hundred feet above the sea. and wonder
ing whether Dick Poole would have the courage to
carry out his wild enterprise Dick exchanged
greetings with them cordially and brought forward
Dan as his comi'agnon. Dc royoge. That individ-
II had misc tI,a,
OF proceedings; and when Dick peremptorily or
dered him to take oil his clothes he showed decid-
ed symptoms of his courage oozing, like that of
Bob Acres, from his fingers ends. Poole how
ever whispered few rcassuring words in his ear.
"Besdes.' reflected Dan his teeth chartered
with the fright and cold ''Fve toud the poliss
self, for fear iv any mistake. wonder they're not
here already.
Dan prolonged his unrobng as much ;ls possible
but ut length he stood trembling IN cuerpo. and
before he could distinctly realize the situation he
found himself on his masters back. CHANGING over
his shoulder in mortal terror, he saw the glazed
caps Of the police appr0aching
care they coming, Dan?' whispered Dick soft
''Iis, master dear, Wis, only houd on for min
it,
care they very near us DAM
''Onite close, yer honor, responded Dan, now
becoming easy i'll his mind.
At this moment constable ran forward break
ing from the officers who tried to intercept him.
But what was Dams terror, when Dick clutched
"Whaup!' like the war shout OF an Indian brave
gave header literally into space over the cliff.
Dan says he found himself going down under
water almost rs far he had fallen from land
The place was several fathoms deep, and on their
rising to the surface. Dick grabbed his eamrade,
and bore him safely TO boat which was lying un-
der the prccipice prepared for the event. So Dick
Poole won the hundred pounds, and Dan Dohcrty
was none the worse.
Frenchmen of the old school did ut times
tremendously polite things; such as break
ing their necks to pick up Il lady's fam, or run
ming through the body any one who should
dare to say that her foot was large or her
nose red In our days Frenchmen are not
quite such fools, and yet they sometimes do
exceedingly foolish things in the polite line.
This story for example, is related of a Count.
One night a lady of his acquaintance had a
lace dress of considerable value torn by
man treading on it. After an exclamation of
impatience she turned to the Count and said,
''Ilavo you pn?" MADAME" said he, 81
don't carry q pinoushion, but here is one"
and he drew from his breast a valuable
diamond ''Sir," said the lady, nettled prob
ably by his retort about a pincushion, Il can
not accept diamond from YOU" ''Well
then," returned he "here is a pin without q
diamond" And breaking off the jewel, he
tbra,v r. out of tho window and presented the