Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-26
OF "YE OLDEN TIME"
A Verdant Sportsman Goes for
Game With a Kentucky Gun.

Game With a Kentucky Gun.
l spent the summer of 1882 with an
old lady who had a small farm in one
Of our interior valleys. 1 was in search
of q small healthful location, and as she
lived within easy walk of the mountains,
I was satisfied that it would suit every
demand.
In order to employ my time to all the
advantage I desired, I began taking
long walks. I explored every creek
bed and brush trail for miles around.
There were few other farmers in the
valley, but | became thoroughly ac-
quainted with all of them.
In all these walks l saw quantities of
game-quail, j%ack-rabbits, cotton-tails,
wild pigeons, doves, and frequently
deer. / had never been much of a
sportsman a few days of duck and
quail shooting embracing my total ex-
perience. But in the presence of such
game, a strong ambition began to take
possession of me to increase my record.
The n barrier in my path, how
ever, was the lack of a gun. l 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.
10 be sure there was a gun on the
farm. But from the use of it mortal
man was interdicted. 1t was an old
fashioned Kentucky rifle; five feet long,
it seemed to NE. 1t hung above the
huge fireplace, with a powder flask and
a bullet-bag beside it. 1t had been the
PROPERTY, Of Mrs. Bryce's-for that was
husband.
.'He kerried it all through the Semi
mole war, an l wouldn't hev yo' tech it,
honey, for all tn quail an rabbit in TIL
sworid."
Then 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 I por-
trayed Of fried quail and roast v%enison
could tempt the old lady to sacrifice the
relic.
weapon is sacred to IL memory mo 'Do Of
Oziras Bryce, an yo' can't coax it off,
no how. It's all thar, loaded an all les
as he put it thar, with the very same
charge be 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 les come back, an said TIL ole gun
should stay jes' as twas 'thout bein'
ever fired till there was another Injin
war; but yo' sec thar didn't come none
in his time, so tn old gun never had no
show after that, an jes' KEEP it like
that thar, an jes so I'm goin' to keep
till I'm clean gone, an then it'll 20 to
any 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 a
gun in my way. 1t was q difficult task,
though, to endure a walk overt 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 a saucy, young Pacific duck
OR q 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 I 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 I gradually dozed
Off into Inconsistencies and must have
slept for an hour. When I awoke the
branches above me We're literally
crowded with pigeons. 1 could almost
reach them with my hand, though not
quite, remained perfectly still for
nearly half an hour, praying for a gun
all the time. Like the young lady in
"Democracy,' l thought 1t would be a
test OF faith. But no gun came. Then,
i'll q sort of batiied frenzy I snatched
up Il huge stick and whirled it at the
latest pigeon I could see. Itstruck the
Dough beneath him, and the entire flock
rose with a tremendous tapping into
the air.
J. went home and told my hndlady
with an aggricved air.
''Humph!" she said, stef I was yo' I'd
jos see CT | 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. | cut a piece of hickory oak
and manufactured a rude bow taking
some alder twigs for arrows. 1 prac-
ticed diligently with this fierce weapon
for three days and then gave it up with
a mighty disgust. ] might just aiwell
have attempted proficiency with a tom
,aiiawk.
Another day-it was a lovely Sunday
morning. CHANGED TO he reading in a
fcrn-hook, two or thru ie'ds away
from the house. l was hall LAY through
tho first chapter of my book, when sud
denly e great four-tined buck jumped