The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-09-22
Colonel Criekley's Horse.


the origin of the quarrel between the
Crickley's and the brakes. They
have lived within mile Of each 9th
er for FIVE years, and from their first
acquaintance, there had been a mu-
tual feeling of dislike between the two
families. Then some misunderstand-
ing about the boundary of the re-
spective farms revealed the latent
fame, and Colonel Crickley having
followed fat buck all one afternoon
and wounded him, came up to him
and found old Drake and his sons
cutting him up. This incident added
fuel to the fire, and from that time
there was nothing that the two fami-
lies did not do to annoy each other.
One evening Mr.. Drake the older
was returning home with his ''poeket
full of rocks" from the market town.
whittier be had been to sell load of
grain. Sam Barstow was with him
on the wagon, and as they approach
ed grove which interve ed between
them and Mr.. Dfafe's house, he OBJ
served to his companion
"Wbat beautiful mark Crickley's
old Roam is over yonder ~
Hang it :" muttered Drake, $50 it
is.u
The horse was standing under
some trees about twelve rods from
the road.
Inyoluntarily Drake stopped bis
team-he glanced furtively around,
then, with greer smile, the old
hunter took up his rifle from the bot
tom of bis wagon, and raising it to
his shoulder, drew a sight on the
Colonel's horse.
"EeaItifuI p he muttered, lower
ling his rife with the air Of a man re-
sisting q powerful temptation, Il
could drop old Roam so easyi"
Shoot ~ suggested Sam BarstOw,
who loved fun in any shape.
"No, no, 'twouldn't do,n said the
old hunter, glancing around again
Il won't tell, y said Sam.
"Wal, / won't shoot this time, any
way, tell or no tell. The horse is too
nigh. If be was fifty rods instead Of
twelve, so the ed be a rare possibili-
ty of mistaking him for q deer, I'd let
dy As it is | would give the Colo
mel FIVE dollars foS shot"
At that moment the Colonel him
self stepped from behind a big oak,
not half dozen PAGES distant and
before Drake.
"Well, why don't you shoot 2"
The old hunter stammered in some
confusion,-
THAT you Colonel II was
tempted to, and, as said, III give
you W for one pull"
Say an X and it is bargain. !"
Drake felt for his rifle, and locked
at old Roam.
How much is the boss WORTH"
he muttered in Sans ear.
About fifty"
Cad, Colonel III do l.: Here's
your X"
The Colonel pocketed the money
muttering, Hanged if l thought
you'd take me up!"
With high glee the old hunter put
a fresh cap Oh his rife, and stood up
in the wagon, a close sight on old
Roam. Sam Barstow chuekled The
Colonel put up his hand before his
face and chuckled too
Crack went the rifle The hunter
tore out horrid oath, which l will
not repeat. Sam was astonished.
The Colonel laughed. Old Roam
never stirred.
Drake started at his rifle with a
look black as 0theIlo's. What's the
matter with you, hey2 Fust time
you ever sarved me such trick, /
swar 7"
And Drake loaded the piece with
great wrath and Indignation
People said you'd lost your knack
of shooting" observed the Colonel,
in cutting tone Of satire.
"Wbo said so It's lie y thunder
ed Drake, IL can shoot"
"A horse at ten rods ha ha "
Drake was livid.
Look here. Colonel, | can't stand
that he began.
Never mind, the horse can,
sneered the Colonel, "I'll risk you"
Grinding his teeth, Drake produc-
ed another ten dollar bill.
8 Crack away cried the Colonel,
poeketing the note.
Drake did crack awsy-with dead
Iy aim. too-but the horse did not
mind the bullet 10 the least To the
rage and unusterable astonishment of
the hunter, old Roam looked him in
the face as if be liked the fun.
Drake" cried Sam, you are
drunk. A horse at dozen yards
Oh my eyes ~ i
"Just shut your mouth or III
shoot you" thundered the excited