The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-02-12
OF EYE OLDEN TIME"
A Verdant Sportsman Goes for
Game With a Kentucky Gun.

1 spent the summer of 1882 with an
old lady who had a small farm in one
of our interior valleys. was in search
of a small healthful location, and as she
lived within easy walk of the mountains,
/ was satisfied that it would suit every
demand.
In order to employ my time to all the
advantage l desired, 1 began taking
long walks. explored every creek
bed and brush trail for miles around
There were few other farmers in the
valley, but 1 became thoroughly &C
quainted with all of them.
In all these walks saw quantities of
game-quail, jack-rabbits, cotton-tails.
wild pigeons, doves, and frequently
deer. 1 had never been much of .
sportsman; few days of duck and
quail shooting embracing my total ex-
perience. But in the presence of such
game, strong ambition began to take
possession of me to increase my record.
The one barrier in my path, how
ever. was the lack of gun. had neg
lected to bring even a pistol with me
when l left the city, and now the want
of firearms of any kind pressed heavily
upon my spirit.
To be sure there was a gun on the
farm. But from the use of it mortal
man was intcrdicted. 1t was an Old
fashioned Kentucky rife; five feet long,
it seemed to me. 1t hung above the
huge fireplace, with powder flask and
buliet-bag beside it. It had been the
property of Mrs. Bryce's-for that was
my landlady's name-late lamented
husband.
He kerried it all through the Semi
mole war, an 1 wouldn' t hev yo' tech it.
honey, for all tn quail an rabbit in tn
world"
Then 1 would expostulate with her,
and offer to pay her double what it was
worth, but all to no avail. Neither the
money nor the glowing pictures por-
trayed of fried quail and roast venison
could tempt the old lady to sacrifice the
relic.
mo-" was her reply, ssthat Their
weapon is sacred to tn memory of
Oziras Bryce, an yo' can't coax it of,
no how. It's all thar. loaded an all jes'
as he put it thar, with the very same
charge he he'd in it when loaded up fur
to shoot Big Jack, one o. them Seminole
chiefs. Only he didn't get no show at
him an the war ended bout that time,
SO he jes come back, an said tn ole gun
should stay jes' as twas 'thout bein'
ever fired till there was another Iniin
war; but yo' see thar didn't come none
in his time, so tn old gun never had no
show after that. an I jes' KEEP it like
that thar, an jes SO Tn goin' to keep
till I'm clean gone, an then it'll 60 to
my daughters eldest boy back in Mis-
soura"
Thus was compelled to possess my
soul in patience and await some acct
dent of Providence that should throw q
gun in my way. 1t was difficult task,
though, to endure walk over the hills,
and not resent the insults of quail and
hares. How well they knew hadn't a
gun, and couldn't defend myself. And
then when saucy, young Pacific duck
or a pert little fawn would carelessly
trip down through the openings to see
the man who had no gun, it strained all
the Christianity l possessed to the high
est tension.
One day had climbed to the top of a
sunny hill, and lay down beneath a
spreading pigeon-berry bush to
enjoy the view, and the soft
breeze that swept down the
valley. After a time gradually dozed
off into Inconsistencies and must have
slept for an hour. When awoke the
branches above me were literally
crowded with pigeons. could almost
reach them with my hand, though not
quite. 1 remained perfectly still for
nearly half an hour, praying for gun
all the time. Like the young lady in
democracy" l thought It would be a
test of faith. But no gun came. Then.
in A sort of baffled frenzy / snatched
up huge stick and whirled it at the
fattest pigeon l could see. 1t struck the
bough beneath him, and the entire flock
rose with 3 tremendous tapping into
the air.
went home and told my landlady
with an aggrieved air.
.'Humphr' she said, ''ef was yo' I'd
jes' see eff 1 couldn't fix up some sorter
bow an arrer sech as tn Injuns hev.
Mebbe yo' could git somethin'."
The idea struck me as not quite I'M
feasible. l cut piece of hickory oak
and manufactured a rude bow taking
some alder twigs for arrows. prac-
ticcd diligently with this fierce weapon
for three days and then gave it up with
a mighty disgust. might just a; well
have attempted proficiency with tom
ahawk.
Another day-it was lovely Sunday
morning. CHANGED to be reading in a
fern-hook, two or three fields away
from the house. was half way through
the first chapter of my book, when sud
denly great four-tined buck jumped
the fence behind NE and lazily inspected
me from head TO heels. was stung by
the contempt which his look and man
ner implied.
That's right" I exclaimed hotly,
chit man when he's down! Heap up
all the affronts you and your relatives
cen think of when YOU know he can't
defend himself Take your chances
while you can. It's your turn now, but
ii won't be long. No. stree, it won't!
I'll come back here-that willard
Til fetch along gatling gun and rake
the whole country, fore and aft, by
thunder"
So saying. / arose and threw my camp
stool at him. He didn't wait for it
though, but saucily firted his tail, took