The Osceola times., 1886-02-27

'ut udN nhu btcu SpOlitu. All tnt
religious calm in which / clothed N.Y.
self that morning was now but the filthy
rags of rage and discomfort.
toiled back in the hot sun with nv
head quite in flame. Entering the dark
sitting-room, l sat down in rocking
chair and watched the rifle which hung
SO temptingly against the high chimney
piece. To me it seemed grand in its an
tlquity. The long, heavy barrel with
its slender polished stock and deeply
curved butt were fascinating in their
ancient grace.
"Ah!' ! said, musngly, chow npbly
simple its construction How deeply
does il partake of the character of these
heroic souls who endured hardships and
death upon the frontier that they might
found a new landr'
had handled Winchesters and REM
lngtons, OF the newest pattern, but none
had ever seemed so impressive in me-
chanlsm or design as did now the sim
pie weapon of the backwoods, the relic
of sterner, braver days. In the light of
rifles of modern make, it was as if one
should compare one of Ccllini's goblets
with Tiffany bowl.
Then / went down to the creek and
| had swim in order to cool of, and
after that smoked pipe the rest of the
| afternoon.
The Monday which followed will al
ways remain firmly engraven upon my
memory. 1t was rather cloudy in the
morning, and quite breeze was blow
ing. This made the weather agreeable
after so many weeks of heat and pro-
longed my walk in consequence.
| As l was returning home, | took
short cut across the creek and along the
fence until had reached the long wheat
field which adjoined the house.
Suddenly heard a great squwaking
and whrling in the air above, and look
ing up. saw a novel sight There,
about hundred yards up, was vas.
iiock of geese, beating the air with their
wings at terrible rate.
leaned against the fence to watch
their movements. They were coming
towards mo and appeared to be gradu-
ally descending. At last they were
quite near the ground. and before I
could realize how they did it. were set
Ting plump down into the great wheat
lciu III my side.
Avid goose is a fine-looking bird. His
well-turncd chest and plump legs have
/ always been weakness of mine. And
now, for the first time in my life, | was
/ surrounded by an army of wild geese,
who were one and all walking about the
field within few feet of whore stood
| quacking with loud satisfaction, as they
/ greedily devoured the tender wheat
kernels. | could almost fancy them
trussed and basted, with knife and fork
in their backs, marching around as a
living invitation to diunrt.
The house was in easy reach, and as |
looked upon the temptation, wild
thought filed my brain. Idashed of at
hcadong speed, and in few minutes,
was at the side gate, | could see Mrs.
Bryce kneading bread in the kitchen.
1t is well" murmured, "she will
not hear me-"
Then ] stealtbily made my way round
to the front door. and crept through the
hall into the silting-room. With trcmb-
ling limbs ! mounted chair, and
reached down the ancient rifle and its
accoutrcments.
Then with step as cat-like as false
| scStus, stole out of the front door
and around to the back of the woodshcd.
Then, with trembling emotion, / sur
veyed my price. II was certainly very
odd, and rich crust of rust thickly
coated the barrel lock.
With prodigious tug, | dragged the
cumbersome ramrod from its rusty bed.
/ Then inserting il in the cavernous bar
rel, smote it savagely downwards to
see whether or not the gun was really
loaded. 1t penetrated the depths with
difficulty. but beneath my excited pres
sure, |. at last, forced il down to almost
its length. | slowly dragged it out
again. and measured down the barrel
on the outside. There seemed to be Il
difference OF about an inch. Could this
mean that there was already charge
in the barrel2 Here was dilemma.
raised the hammer slowly; it was very
| rusty, and crcakcd with gritty noise.
On the nipple underneath was an old
cap. Its ancient copper had taken on
a blush tint Did this indicate that the
gun was loaded? In my emotional con-
dition, stamped with vcxa ton.
But something must be done, and
resolved ''to take the bull by the horns"
1t would never do to risk my only
chance on a mere possibility. The gun
barrel certainly looked strong enough
to stand dozen charges AT all
events, could risk the chance of
double load. So without DELAY, poured
generous measure from the ancient
powder horn into the barrel. listened
to it as it vigorously trickled down the
interminablc pit. Next, drew forth
one of the huge ounce balls from its
leather bag. and after carefully patch
ing with one of the circular bits of buck
skin, from the same bag. fitted it into
the barrel and hurled the united
strength of myself and ramrod upon il.
Slowly and surely it was driven home.
Then, removing the mouldy cap, l
fitted new one upon the nipple. and
drew breath of mighty satisfaction.
My soul thrilled with the thoughts of
future conqucsts
My heart beat furiously as | threaded
my way through the blackberry bushes,
and out TO the field. | went softly as a
panther who is bent Oh slaughter and
revenge. At last | reached the fence.
The geese were at the upper end of the
field, several hundred yards away. |
was not familiar with the range of the
gun, so | decided to get as near TO the
game as possible. To this end ! eau
tiously walked along the fence, keeping
the geese constantly in view.
Finally | reached their vicinity They
had moved away from the fence some
distance toward the middle of the field