St. Landry democrat., 1881-10-22
A YOUNG SPORTSMAN'S DREAM.

A YOUNG sPORTSMAN'S DREAM.
Little Jack Jones considered himself
the happiest boy in Jonesborough when
his father gave him a gun. The fact
that it was a weapon with which to
shoot peas, and had spring that did
away with the necessity for powder, did
not make it any less dangerous in
jack eyes, and he felt very warlke
with it in his hands.
He was positive he could kill birds
and even animals for that matter, pro-
vided his aim was true and the peas
could be sent with sufficient force.
| That the woods in the rear of his house
were alive with all kinds of animals he
had no doubt, even though he had
never seen any, and his father had said
rabbits were the largest game to be
found there. He felt certain his father
was mistaken, for what were woods
made for if not to shelter every species
of the brute creation
For long time Jack had been anx-
ious to 90 out for a day, and shoot about
as many animals as would be necessary
to start a large menagerie: but until
this gun was given him he could not
satisfy his desires. Now, however, all
was changed, and he began the most
warlike preparations.
He found an old pcwder-horn which
would serve to hold his stock of peas,
and make him look like a hunter. and
the obliging tinman cut him out one of
the most eroc;ous-looking tin knives
that can we'll be imauined
That night his gun, carefully loaded,
stood by the head of his bed, while his
knife and powder-horn of peas were
tucked snugly away under the pillow,
where he could reach them at mo-
ment's notice.
1t was long time before he fell
asleep that night, and as the last idea
in his mind when the sandman closed
his eyes was that of his hunting expedi-
ton, when he thought he awakened he
was not surprised at finding himself
already in the woods.
His gun was in his hands, his terrible
knife in his belt, and his pea-horn slung
over his shoulder in the proper manner.
He laughed to himself at the thought
that he was in the woods without re-
membering anything about the disa-
greeable morning task of combing his
hair or going for the milk; but he took
good care to peep cautiously behind
every bush or rock lest an elephant
should pop out and trample on him be-
fore he had time to kill him. 81,
With his gun ready for instant use,
he walked on, but saw nothing, not
even a bird, that was anxious to be
killed, until he heard q gruff voice just
behind him shout:
"Here, young fellow, what are you
trying to do?''
Jack turned very quickly, for he had
not supposed any one was near, and
his surprise was great at seeing an
enormous gorilla, armed with large
club and wearing two feathers on his
head, and an apron of leaves. coming
directly toward him.
Il wasn't tryin' to do nothin','' said
Jack, in greatest alarm, and doing his
best to keep his knees from shaking.
Il was only walkin' round.''
'.That's story" said the old fellow.
sternly, as he called up five Chin
panzees, all of whom wore aprons and
carried clubs, and ordered them to lead
Jack away to the courthouse.
Frightened as Jack was, he thought
how strange it was that animals should
have courthouse, and then as he
looked at his captors more closely, he
fancied they acted something after the
manner of policemen.
How frightened he was then, and how
he wished he had never seen pea-gun
or tin knife!
The policemen did not speak to him,
but mached him along, the gorilla lead
ing the way in the most dignifed man
ner possible.
The distance was very long and Jack
was tired; but he would willingly have
walked during the entire day it by such
meaSss he could escape going to that
court, where he felt certain some terri
-1>6ie punishment awaited him. There
was no such good fortune for him, how
ever, for when they reached what it
seemed must be the very center of the
woods, they entered a cleared space,
!, which marked the end of the journey.
i Jack knew he stood in, the animals
courtroom, for there. on a high bank on
) which moss had sbeen9spread for AGAR
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