Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-03-27
,rCol. Cricktey's HORSE.
ysketci,.

l have never been able to ascertain
the origin of the quarrel between the
Crickleys' and the brakes 81. A7a AL
2 They had lived within about a mile
Of each other in Illinois for five years,
and from the first Of their acqnaint- a
ance, there had bsena mutual feeling
Of dislike between the two families
The some misunderstanding about
Athe boundary Of their respective farms
revealed the latent flame, and Colonel
Crikley's having followed a fat buck
adj one afternoon, and wounded him,
Hcameup to him and found Drake and
his Sons cutting him up. This Incl
dent added fuel to the fire, and from
that time there!was nothing the two
families did not isay to annoy each
! ,xh or $50 - Gh'uHCJa bra ig2GSG3- ,v',
ptnei' .sbisilla 90 Vol1ln -,.lu1 g.ia
%%One evening, 0fr. Drake, the, elder,
was returning home with his "pockets
full OF rocks from Chicago, whittier he
had been to dispose OF . load of grain.
Sam q Bfast9n was with him in the
Ic.wagea, and as they approached the
gfeye,which interyened. between them
issnd MIR. brakes house, he observed
ITO his'cempanion: I7s..a s7uq eat sd,
1 = Il J" What albeautiful mark Col. CrIck-
ley old roaniis over yondel!p 3bi - d;
Z" Hang it!u muttefed oldpfake, $50
/ 1itis. .pian;.J ssntAyI } - snH3iiiIge8 b,
I 3 The horse,Was standing under some
'Estfees, abousstwelve 'rodsifpom the road.
.EIhvoluntarily. I Drake, q stopped his
| team He, glanced furtlvely around,
! then with aqueer smile, the old hunt
1 erfook up his rifle from the bottom loi
the wagon; and raising it to his. shoul-
der, drew sight on the the COlOneps
! -" Beautifulm mutte-ed Drake, low
ering his rifle, with, the air OF a man
rresisting, o powerful temptation. 81
teould drop OLD roam 50 easy. - =.
FTGShoot,h suggested Sans Branston,
swho loyetffnu inspy shape. =;
| ,-,."HNo, no, o'twopldn't do" said the
old hunter, glancing cautiously around
him again. .sHs... fi1sm o. ~; :. 4
81 won'ttell, y said Sam. 54sa..
"Wal, L won't shoot this time, any
how, tell or no ntellJ The horse is toe
nigh. If iie>was fifty rods off instead
of twelve, Sd: :theresd be'a bare possibil.
| ity of nistak ing him for q deer. I'd LEI
fly. As it is, I'd give five dollars for q
shot,. ".,.7., ..-s..., sfi, vi .... a."i.,..
At thismoment the Colonel himself
fstepped. from, behind, a big oak; >, moi
7 half a dozen PAGES distant, and before
Mr.. Drakegs@ MIA 'ra. Ia4,id! sFo
"Well, why don'tyou shoot?'1.s9 n
The old man stamfhered in some
/ confusion, ''That you, Colonel II
4 was tempted to, 1 declare! And, as ]
lsaid, I'll give you a 'Y' for one pull"
''Say an XXI and it's a bargain"
Il Drake felt for his rifle and looked at
4 old roan.s =. s9sl'ilassst -,.-l--.f al.
Chow muchtis the horse WORTH" he
murmeredNin Sam's ear.'i is55l17 Fi.
SIS 'iAbout ffty.."; at j - ..,a2 ] r.
s'Gad, Colonel, I'll. do it. Here's
Your X'.,'' 81 49, - J, 4,'s -, ','e.- be- 'i .
1 The Colonel pocketed the the mon,
ey,.," Hanged ifI thought you'd take
| me up!" .aaaHeIgw 5HT aoE
H.. With high highgleethe old huntei
put fresh Ecapo his gun, and stood
I Up in his wagon, and drew a close
| sight on the old roam. Sam Branson
I chuckled. The Colonel put his hand
before his face and chuckled too. @.'i
"Qraek y went the rife. The hunt
4 er tore out a horrid oath, which l will
not repeat Sam was astonished. The
Colonel laughed, Old roam never sc
much as stirred. . ,AJaEAB
Drake stared at his rifle with a face
as black as Othellos. ~ =
hMhat's the matter with you, hey {
FusQ Qthfel l1a6 Ietet laefSed me Aats
such d trick, Iswan J" =
And Drake reloaded the piece with
great wrath and indignation. n "a s.i ,.i -
"People said you'd lostyour knaci'
of shooting," observed the Colonel, in
a cutting tone and satire. aI.hss 1.,,,,l.
"Who said SO lisa lie !" thundered
Drake. 81 can shootr=''.. Is. ,..,t
ga horse at ten rods hs!a hs!rs
Drake was liyid. at .. ...at tsAs
''Look here, Colonel, can't stand
4 that 7" he began. "'l
= "Never mind, the horse cam" sneer.
tfagsI tEht .a0 Iai llsns ~ inta td.ITR ~