National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-09-06

cubes with black spots, in leatbern box
while Others placed various pieces of none,
on the figures on the cloth. The maj
shaking the cubes threw them on tn,
table and counted the spots. Some OF III,
men tooh up their money, and another
with small pile OF change passed then
more but the greater portion OF tb,
money they laid down he raked over to hi,
own pile,
Curious to investigate this mystery
with deal of hesitation, | placed dime
on one ol the ii,uros. The man gave me
sharp look, md ! was pleased when ht
vii th the money showed over another dime
to me. Grnn'ng, put it in my pocket
placing my dime on another figure, getting
for The second venture another dime from
the insn.
! was very innocent gambler, very
" lucky mangre the i'll omen of my birth
My winnings continued till put several
dollars in my pocket. The man kept
telling me to double,' but shook my
head as though understood my business,
though what "doublen meant ! didn't
know. At last the man with the cubes
otft red me a half dollar to clear out"
1t wa' not bad operation on his part
tor all al, customers had drawn of TO
observe me.
| accepted the offer and went away.
The crowd followed and inquired the
amount ! had won, but was cautious and
volchsaie1 them no information. | shed
away to 4 distant pomt in the field and
got down b.hlnG stone heap ant counted
1t up ! dare not tell the amonnt. Enough,
tuat never saw so much together before.
| forgot every thing ainers and all
in its contemplation.
was started from my position by the
rapid approach of Captain Glne's horse
company. Their evolutions interested me
exceedingly. Their red coats, dangling
Scabbards, aud drawn swords, fox skin
caps and shakos filled me with admiration
" lla-aIt " Ana the company drew
twenty feet hom mt.
R.r-rlght about ia ACE n'
There were spurrngs, and rearlngs, and
pitchng> and jerking OF relns, and the
company faced about. the captain in the
rear.
" o.-rard-ma-archI !" And away
went the troop rearward like a crab.
I" Tro' ~
I" Gallop ~
Just then the artillery came out and
discharged their field piece. l sprang
forward as il it had been an electric
battery. II was rather the loudest gun
| had ever heard Then there was an
outcry. The horses of the troop were
rearing and pitching, and snorting with
fright. Peleg Chandler, who belonged
to the company, rode his high spirited
handsome colt" and soon | saw the
clarified animal dash from the line and
fling his rider headlong to the ground.
Peleg leaped to his feet, shook the 1irt
from his uniform, but the scott was off.
Hundreds of people pursued him, waving
hats and arms heading him off one way
to have him dash another; shooiDg and
hallooing, while the colt" head and tail
erect, pranced over the ground as though
he had awoke to some capital sport.
The circle about him, however, grew
smaller by degrees" and at last he was
captured; and Peleg reseated himself in
the saddle and reioined his comrades.
1t would have been tedious to describe
all | saw that day. stopped and saw
he review. and at a safe distance viewed |
the sham fight; saw company after com
pany march up and fire volley on volley
saw officers gallop swiftly over the field,
'rging the men forward with voice and
,esture saw the artillery run up and
discharge their gun, and quickly shifting
he drag-ropes, jerk it back to secure
position saw Captain Kyar's company,
with fixed bayonets march up to take it,
md saw Captain Glines and his troop
lash down upon them to prevent it.
)aptain Kyar faced his men about, they
iropped on one knee, and placing the
,utts of their muskets to the ground.
resented line of bristling bayonet to
,ar the horses progress. The artillery
an out again and fred the report scat
ering the troop like so many sheep.
Iaptain Kvar again came down With
harged bayonets, but the artillery took
efuge in the rear of several companies.
rho received the gallant captain with
olies of musketry, and drove him back
III this was grand, exciting, sublime.
)ne company, in their excitement, had
brown off their boots and took it bare
Doted, acting as skirmisher. There was
n one corner of the field a large brier- {
atch, and the advantage to be taken of
was not lost sight of bv those whom the
kirmishers annoyed. Under the com I
land of the lieutenant colonel, line of
ltantry was formed, with right and left l
.ings fanking the "sharp shooters" and
hen with charged bayonets the line bore c
own on the "double quick" q
The doomed barefoots took to their '
eels, but the only avenue of escape was '
trough the briers. Into them they went I
ell nell. Then there arose hoarse yell, !
nd the valiant skirmishers went down to d
man. This ended the fight, and when it !
as over there was one company at least !
nat came out pretty thoroughly " scratch Il
L." Ever after it was known as the II
Barefoot Rangers of Brer HILL"
Not till darkness began to settle down !, !,
D nature did think TO return home and !
zen | left the field with sigh that the u
,oit was over
/ recnunted to my parents the scenes that 81
had witnessed, not forgetting the money u
had obtained. ! was surprised to observe II
EN-, when l came to that, look, grave, v
ID more to have them tell me that had cI
EN- engaged IN very bad act-gambline. o.
ing. but kindly. did my mother speak 81
me OF the Genousness OF that vice. She u
armed me to shun it in the future, as / Z
1uld every other.
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