Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-29
Captain Bankers Kiektux Gun.

Captain Barker. OF Danbury. owns a gun.
The gun is a smooth bore mnsket Of vener-
able pattern. The captain does not like 10
loan this musket, aud yet he has not the
strength OF mind TO refuse. As a SOFT OF
compromise he loads the gun hair full, after
using 10 himself, and puts 10 up in waiting
for the next applicant. As may readily be
imagined by the impartial reader, the
weapon is rarely borrowed twice by the
same party. The other day man named
Rchsrds borrowed the gun 10 go on a
hunting expedition. The captain hesitated
in his usual way. but finally let him have 10,
esutioning him that IL was loaded. When
Richards got out of town and was approach
ing bit OF water where he eXvectel % nnd
something worth shooting, he dropped the
ramrod into the gun 10 assure himself that
IL was loaded. The ramrOd went down but
half way. Richards gave IL a sharp shove.
but IL did not move farther. Tue chzrge half
filled the gun. Richards was startled, and -
tue thought OF what might have been the
consequences had he fired thst charge, he
turned pale. and instinctlvey felt OF the
back of his head. Then he recovered, and
smiled 10 himself, and drew the load, And
went on his expedition. Getting ready 10
return home in the afternoon, he loaded up
the musket as II was when he received IL II
was about O'Clock when he entered the
square on South street. Several men were
standing in front Of Parkington's grocery.
The captain was among them When Rich
ards came up, Barker said:
mo luck9m
"No; / couldn't hit anything"
How'd ye like the muSket'' inquired the
captain, with nervous anxiety.
well, IL rather staggered me az the FIRST;
but got more used To IL Is / went along"
said Barker, quietly. cit don't carry well,
guess" he added.
said the captain, with a fiusn I'm his face.
''if you only know how 10 use il Is Il
loaded?''
Eyes, !" said Richards, in a suppressed voice,
passing the weapon with a tremble 10 hi.
hand that the captain might have noticed
had he on his glasses.
"Now, III tell you what I'll do, Richards"
said the captain. You just put up your
hat agin that tree" Indicating one which
stood about forty PAGES distant In a mes-
dow land I'll put bullet clean through
otis almost a new hat" said Richards, as
If hesitating, although quivering In every
nerve, but I'm so sure you can't hit II
with that gun, captain, that III run the
risk"
He put up the hat, and came back and took
position back OF one of the posts 10 the gro
cery's portico. The captain was so busy put
ting on his glasses that he did not notice this
precaution.
Fortunately for me-" observed the pru-
dent Richards To himself As he looked from
behind his shelter, There ain a man i'm the
crowd i care a cent for, or might attract
suspicion TO myself by endeavoring 10 warn
them To get at a safe distance
The captain secured the right bead, the
company were looking on with breathleSs
interest, and then he pulled tue trigger.
There was terrific explosion, a chorus OF
terrified yells, and the confident captain was
in the middle OF the road, Hat ON mis- back
with the gun tightly grippei in an out
stretched hand, while the crowd stood mo-
tionleSs, with 8 ringing sound IN their heads
which for the moment deprived them OF the
power of thinking.
The captain was the first 10 recover. He
worked himself up ON his hands and knees,
and staring blankly around, his eyes rested
on Richards, who was getting over the fence
with his hat ON his head and a demUre ex-
preston upon his face.
Gentlemen" he impressively observed,
drawing a hand across his brow. this all
seems like horrid dream. - DdRJUry Meas