Smyrna times., 1876-01-26
An American Story.

have never been able TO oscor+oi, A..
origin OF the quarrel between the Cricklov
ana the brakes. They had lived within
mile OF each other in Illinois for five voors
ana from the first of their acouaintonc,
there had been a mutual feeling O
dislike between the two families. Tber
some MISUNDERSTANDING about the boundor,
OF their respective farms revealed the latent
name; and Colonel Crickley HAVING fol
io"eo tat buck all one afternoon and
wounded him, came up to him at dark
and found old Drake and his sons cnttino
hlm up! This incident added fuel 70 tbC
flre, and from that time there was notbino
the two families did not do to annov each
other. They shot each others ducks in tbo
river, purposely mistaking them for wild
ones and then, by way of retaliation oor,
menced killing off each others pigs and
calves.
Ohe evening, Mr.. Drake the elder was
returning home, with his "pocket full Of
rocks" from Chicago, whittier he had been
10 dispose of a load of grain Sam Barston
was with him on the wagon, and as thev
approached the grove which intcrveped
between them and Mr. brakes house. he
observed to his companion:
What beautiful mark Colonel Crick.
ley old roam is over yonder!'
Hang it!' muttered old Drake. q 50 Il
is" 81 -
Inc horse was standing under some trees
ABOUT twelve rods from the road.
lnvoluntarily Drake stopped his team
lie glanced furtively around, then, with 4
queer smile, the old hunter took ~, his
rifle from the bottom of the wagon. and
raising it to his shoulder, drew a sight on
the cOlonels horse.
beautliulF' muttered Drake. lowering
his rifle with the air of man RESISTING =
powerful temptation. 81 could dron old
Roam so easy y
Shoot" suggested Sam Barston, who
loved fun in any shape.
No, no, 'twouldn't do" said tho old
hunter, glancing cautiously around him
again.
won't tell" said Sam.
Wal, | won't shoot this time. any wav
tell or no tell. The horse is too nicb If
he was fifty rods off instead of twelve. 60
tnere,d be a bare possibility of mistak ing
him for deer, I'd let fly. As it is I'd give
the colonel five dollars for a shot"
AT that moment the colonel himself
stepped from behind big oak, not half n
dozen PAGES distant, and stood before Mr.
Drake!
Well, why don't you shoot?'
Inc old man stammered in some con-
fusion" That you, colonel?" II arm.
tempted to, declared And, as I said. I'll
give w. for one pull?"
Say an : x, and it's bargain -
Drake felt at his rife and looked at old
Roam.
GLOW much is the hoss wuthYr bo
in Sans ear.
"'Bout fifty"
"Gad, colonel, I'll do it! Here's vour
X"
The colonel pocketed the money, mutter.
ng, Hanged if thought you'd take me
1pr'
With high glee the old hunter put a
resh cap on his rife. stood pp in his wagon
md drew close sight on old Roam. Sam
Barston chuckled, The colonel put his
hands before his face and chuckled too.
CrackI" went the rifle. The hunter
ore out II hOrrid oath, which will not re-
peat. Sam was astonished. The colonel
aughed. Old Roam never stirredl
Drake stared at his rife with n fooa os
black as Othello's.
What's the matter with you, hey?
Fus time you ever sarved me quite such n
rick, swarp And Drake loaded the
piece with great warmth and indignation
People said you'd LOST your knack O.
hoeting," observed the colonel in a
'utting tone Of satire,
"Who said soy It's a liep thundered
Drake, vi can Shoot
A horse at ten rods hal har'
Drake was livid. "Lool< yere, colonel, I
ant stand that he began.
Never mind, the horse can," sneered
he Colonel. arm risk you"
Grinding his teeth. Drake produced
mother .en.dollar bill. "EIerer he
rowled, "l'm bound to have another shot
my way.n
Crack away" cried the eolppel, pocket /
ng the note, F = |
Drake did crack away-with deadly
i'm, too-7-bpt the horse did not mind ths !
'ullet in the least, Te the gags and un.
ItteFable asEoaishment of the old hunter
Id Roam looked him right in the face a. if
e rather liked the fun.
Drake" cried Sam, you're drunkl A {
orse at dozen rods-oh, my eyer ]
just you shut your mouth, or III shoot ,