Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-03-20
HOW SMITH SHOT A

A young gentleman from New York,
who for convenience sake, we win call
Smith, was on avisit to Jordanville.
Conn.,, the special object of his visit be-
ing sport. Fishing had been tried, with
Indifferent luck, when it was proposed
to take guns and go after ducks. The
proposition was received with favor,an
in short time the party were equipped
and on their way to neighboring pond.
An old mill stood at the head of the
pond, and into this one of the gentle
men crept with the avowed object of
commanding the water from that point.
The three other gunners were to take
sheltered positions further down. As
they stealthly approached the banks
they discovered what they supposed to
be fine leal swimming in the water.
Smith was all excitement now. Lifting
his hand as signal for silence, and
with whispered, tremulous hush
upon his lips, he advanced cautiously in
order 20 secure a better position for ta-
king aim. But, fearing that the duck
would fly, he fired more quickly than
he would have done in cooler moments.
The fowl dived at the flash, and the shot
whistled harmlessly over the waite +.
Smith was much put out at his miss,
and fearing that one OF the other gem
tlemen would get well-directed shot
in, he stood, with cooked gun in hands,
waiting for the duck to rise. Presently
it came to the surface, and the excited
New Yorker let drive at it with the sec
ond barrel. Again the duck dived, and
no crimson trail was left behind to tell
that the shot had taken effect. Smith
loaded his gun, and while doing so, each
of the other gentlemen blazed away at
the teal. But the bird had a charmed
life. Smith was now determined to do
terrible execution. His nerves had be-
come steady, and, as the duck came up
within range, he took deliberate aim
pulled the trigger. Imagine his disgust
as he saw the bird again go down ap-
parently unharmed. As the duck reap
peared, he fired rather quickly, but
without. He now was mad with disap-
pointment, and swore roundly at the
gun. Gritting his teeth after the fash
ion of thoroughly vexed man, Smith
loaded once more. But both barrels fail
ed to bag the obstinate teal. The small
supply of ammunition was now exhaus-
ted; besides it was growing dark, and
the hunters were Obliged to retrace
their steps to the house empty-handed.
Smith did not bear his misfortune very
gracefully; in fact the chatting of his
three friends sorely angered him. He
retired to bed that night with conf
dence somewhat shaken in his shooting
powers. The next morning, while pre-
pairing to try again his hand at fishing,
he was waited upon by an officer of the
law. who had a warrant for his arrest.
1t was explained to himthat the gentle
man who owned the pond was a crusty
sort of a fellow, that he had obtained
the names of the party who invaded his
premises andmade such an infernalrack-
ct with their guns, and that he had
brought suit for trespass. Smith was
much cast down at this, but then he
had the sympathy Of his friends, as
they also were under arrest. A consul
tation was held, and it was decided te
send to New London for counsel. The
hearing was to take place that evening
before the justice Of the peace, a jolly
good natured man. The day was spen
in preparing for the conflict. Both par
ties secured legal advice; and each, by
singular coincidence, employed an at
te,...-a-1-.s-e.u,- :, otnd fa-.-orah -thou--sy-
George Schuler, H. S. Weston,
|, John Hersh, George VOgel,
, II. P. Larimer, Dagon & WitheroN
f March 10, 1s73-3lw3* a. g.