Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-02-15
HOW SMITH SHOT A DUCK.
A Funny Cunning Incident in connee.
ticut.


tFram the Turf. Field and Farm
Some clever wags reside on the coast of |
Connecticut, ib the county of New London, |
and near the little town of Jordanville, !
ard now and then they perpetrale prac-
tical joke. Louuging 10 tie room of an |
old mansion built one hundred and fifty
years ago, and looking through a narrow
window, and a inlet of rain out upon the
turbulent waves Of the sea, we listened, a
few days ago, TO the narration of a story
that had its comlcal side. A young gen
tleman from New York, who, for con-
venience sake, we will call Smith, was on
visit to Jordanyille, the special object of
the visit being sport. Fishing had been
tried, with Indifferent luck, when Il was
proposed to take the guns and 90 afteT
ducks. The proposition was received with
favor, and in a short time the party were
equipped and on their way to neighbor-
ing pond. An old mill stood at the head
Of the pond, and into THE one Of the gen.
tlemen crept with the avowed object of
commanding the water from that point.
The three other gunners were to take sLel
tered positions further down. As they
stealthiy approached the banks they dis
covered what they supposed TO bo fine
teal swimming In the water. Smith was
all excitement now. Lifting his hand as
a signal for silence, and with whispered
tremulous h-u.s h upon his lips, he ad-
vanced cautiously in orderto secure bet
ter position for taking aim. But, fearing
that the duck would hy, he fired more
quickly than he would have done In cooler
moments. The fowl diyed at the flash,
and the shot Whistled harmlessly over the
water. Smith was much put out at this
miss, and fearing that one of the other
gentlemen would get well.directed shot
in, be stood with the cooked gun in hands,
waiting for the duck to rise,
Presently II came to the surface, and
the excited New Yorker let drive at il
with the second barrel. Again the duck
dived, and no crimson trail was left be-
hind to tell that the shot had taken effect.
Smith loaded his gun, and, while doing so,
each of the other gentlemen blazed away
al tae teal. But the bird had a charmed
life. Smith was now determined to do
terrible execution. His nerves had be-
come more steady, and as the duck came
up within range, he took deliberate aim
and pulled the trigger. Imagine his dis
gust as he saw the bird again 20 down
apparently unharmed. AS the duck reap
pearcd he fired rather quickly, but without
effect. He now was mad with disappoint-
ment, and swore roundly at the gun.
Grltting his teeth after the fashion Of a
thoroughly vexed mau, Smith loaded once
more. But both barrels failed to bag the
obstinate teal. The small supply OF am
munition was now exhausted besides IL
was growing dark, aud the hunters were
obliged TO retrace their steps to the house
emply-handed. Smith did not bear his
misfOrtunes very gracefully; in fact, the
chatting of his three friends sorely angered
him. He retired TO bed that night with
confidence somewhat shaken in his shoot
ing prowess.
The n xt morning, while preparing TO
try again his hand at fishing, he was
waited upon by an officer of the law, who
had a warrant for his arrest. II was ex-
planned to him that the gentleman who
owned the pond was crusty eort of
fellow, that he had obtained the names of
the party who had invaded his premises
and made such an infernll racket with
their guns, and that he had brought suit
for trtspass. Smith was much cast down
at this, but then he had the sympathy of
his friends, as they also were under arrest.
A consultation was held, and IL was de
cided to send 10 New London for counsel.
The hearing was to take place that even
ing before the Justice of the Peace, jolly,
good-natured man. The day was spent in
, preparing lbI lIt AOHulllE DUH Hhlhlt1
secured legal advice and each, by a sim
gular coincidence, secured an attorney
more noted for CAB than anything else.
Al o'clock In the evening both parties to
the suit, With their friends, met at the
squire's. The case was promptly called.
, Smith and his friends had to admit that
they had invaded the premises of the
prosecutor, and that they had discharged
their guns at a duck In his pond but they
pleaded that they were not aware that the
grounds were poached, and that they had
no Intention of committing trespass.
! This much admitted. thero was little
! need Of further evidence, and so the case
: resolved itself into u war of words between
the opposing lawyers. For something like
, four hours the attorneys badgered them
: selves, and both sat down But before the
! Squire rendered his decision one of the
defence. arose and asked the privilege oi
, introducing an important witness, a wit
ness that had hitherto been overlooked
. The prosecuting attorney Indignantly pro
tested against this, but the prosecutor yerJ
generously Insisted that the witness should
, be heard. One of the gentlemen ther
) quietly stepped into another room, aud
! returning with something in his hand
graysly addressed the Justice "Youi
Honor, the witness wish to Introduce, i:
. before you. This is the duck that Mr.
Smith fired at SO often, and which he failed
!, to kill" And then he thumped heavily
:. down upon the table a wooden deeoy.
= Smith grew very red in the face, and all
laughed except himself and the two law
yers, who began to see looming up before
them a huge practical joke. The decoy
was well peppered with shot, showing tha
5 Smith had not fired as wildly as he hat
4 imagined.
p, When order had been restored th,
r Squire decided that the costs Of the sui
II shOpld be divided, that tue defendants
y should cook the duck in dispute, and tha
e they should then invite the prosecution Il
?, eat il with them. This decision was emi
d nently satisfactory to all but the attorneys
c who swoTe roundly at being so vlctimized
II but Us each was paid the fee agreed upon
d they wers somewhat Modified. The deeep
IS liOn was then explained TO Smith. b,
a means of a stake, a ring had been fastened
In the centre of the pond under the water
A cord was attached to the deeoy, api
passed through the ring. The operate
was screened BY the mill. Whenever an,
q one would fire, be pulled the cord, aRd, a
l a matter of course, the duck diyed. Tn
n Squire was into the secret, ,aAd he consente
D to assist at the mock trial. The only par
u ties sold were the lawyers and Smith. Tn
p latter has grown older and wiser sine
p then. lie has cut his wisdom teeth, an
now when out shooting ducks he takes
good look before lining the gun to his face
The Effect.
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