The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-12-24
COL. CRICKLEY,s HORSE.

| have never been able to ascertain
the origin of the quarrel between the
Grickley's and the brakes. They have
lived within a mile of each other for
FIVE years, and from the first of their
acquaintance there has been a mutual
feeling of dislike between the two fam
lilies. Then some misunderstanding
about the boundary of their farms re-
vived the latent flame, and Colonel
Crickley having followed q fat buck
all the afternoon, aud wounded him,
came up to him and found old Drake
and his sons cutting him up.
The incident added fuel to the flame,
and from that time there was nothing
that the two families did not do to aH-
noy each other.
One evening, Mr.. Drake, the elder,
was returning home with his packet
full of "rocks" from Chicago, whittier
ne had been to dispose Of load of
grain. Sam Barstuw was with him on
the wagon, aud as they approached the
grove which intervened between them
and Mr.. brakes house, he observed
to his companion, "what beautiful
mark Crickley's old roam is over yon.
uer ?"
Hang it," muttered Drake, $50 it
is" ..r.. efaF go
The horse was standing under some
trees about twelve rods from the road.
Involuntarily Drake stopped his
team. He glanced furitively round,
then with a queer smile, the old hun.
ter took up his rife from the bottom of
his wagon, and raising it to his shoul-
der, drew sight ON the Colonel's
horse. etgr. ... .....
Beautiful he muttered, with the
air of man resisting n powerful
TEN ptation. 81 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.
81 won't tell" said Sam.
"Wal, | don't shoot this anyway,
tell or no tell. The horse is too nigh.
If he was fifty rods off instead of
twelve, su there'd be bare possibility
of nistaking him for deer, I'd let
fly. AS it is, I'd give the Colonel fl Je
dollars for shot"
At that moment the Colonel himsel
stepped from behind large oak, moi
half dozen PAGES distant, and before
Drake.
"Well, why don't you shoot? 7"
The old hunter stammered, in some
confusion: That you Colonel? II
was tempted to; aud as l said, II
give you ~ for one pull"
Say an * and it's bargain"
"How much is the horse worth ?" III
muttered in Sans ear.
about fifty"
Cad, Colonel, I'll do it. Here
your *"
The Colonel pocketed the money
muttering; "Hange1 if | thought yo'
would take me up!"
With high glee the old hunter put |
fresh cap on his rifle, and then stand
ing up in the wagon took a close Sigh
at old ran.
Sam Barstow chnckled. The Colo
mel put his hand before his face AM
chuckled too. Crack went the rifle
The hunter tore out terrible oatl
which | will not repeat. The Colone
laughed. Old roam never stirred
Drake stared at his rife, with loo
as black as Othello's.
Whats the matter with you, boy
Fus' time you ever served me quit
; such trick, l swar!'
And Drake loaded the piece wit
great warmth and indignation.
, "People said you'd lost your kDac
! of shooting," observed the Colonel, i
a cutting tone of satire"
"Who said sol les lie !" muttere
e Drake. 81 can shoot"
= "a hoss at ten rods ha ha
Drake was livid.
7 "Look here, Colonel, / can't star
= that" he began.
"Never mind, the horse can, sneere
the Colonel.
"I'll risk you"
: Grinding his teeth, Drake produce
) another ten dollar bill.
! Here" he growled. "I'm bound
! heve another shot, anyway"
"Crack away" cried the Colone
pocketing the note.
Drake did crack away-with dead
aim too-but the horse did not min
" the bullet in the least. TO the unu
! terable astonishment of the hunte
u old roam looked him in the face as
e he rather liked the fun.
!, Drake" cried Sam, "you al
d drunk A horse at dozen rods-o
y my eyes"
D "Just shut your mouth, or I'll sho'