Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-02-12
OF EYE OLDEN TIME"
A verdant Sportsman Goes for
Game With a Kentuchy Gun.


old lady who had a small farm in one
of our interior valleys. l was in search
of 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 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 | became thoroughly ac-
quainted with all of them.
In all these walks saw quantities of
game-quail, jack-rabbits, cotton-tails,
wild pigeons, doves, and frequently
deer. l 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, a 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 pistol with me
when / left the city, and now the want
upon my spirit.
To be sure there was 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 me. 1t hung above the
huge fireplace, with a powder flask and
n bullet-bag beside it. 1t 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 wouldn' t hev yo' tech it,
honey, for all til quail an rabbit in tn
world"
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 por-
trayed of fried quail and roast venison
copld tempt the old lady to sacrifice the
relic,
NO." was her reply, 'that ther
weapon is sacred to TIL memory of
Oziras Bryce, an yo' can't coax it off,
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 Injin
war; but yo' see 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 keeI
till I'm clean gone, an then it'll go tc
my daughters eldest boy back in Mis-
soura.n
Thus 1 was compelled to possess my
soul in patience and await some acci.
dent of Providence that should throw a
though, to endure n walk over the hills,
and not resent the insults of quail and
hares. How well they knew l hadn't a
gun, and couldn't defend myself. And
then when a saucy, young Pacific duck
OF pert little fawn would carelcssly
trip down through the openings to see
the man who had no gun, it strained all
the Christianity possessed to the high
est tension.
One day had climbed to the top of a
sunny hill, andlay down beneath a
spreading pigeon-berry bush to
enjoy the view, and the soft
breeze that swept down the
valley. After time gradually dozed
off into unconsciousness and must have
slept for an hour. When awoke the
branches above me were literally
crowded with pigeons. could almos,
reach them with my hand, though moi
quite. remained perfectly still fol
nearly half an hour, praying for gun
all the time. Like the young lady in
democracy" thought IT would be 9
test of faith. But no gun came. Then
in a sort of bafiled frenzy 1 snatchet
mp huge stick and whirled it at the
fattest pigeon could see. 1t struck the
bough beneath him, and the entire focl
rose with tremendous tapping into
the air.
! went home and told my landlady
with an aggrieved air.
"Humph!" she said, "ef was yo' Tt
jes' see ef couldn't fix up some sorte
bow an arrer scch as tn Injuns hey
Mebbe yo' could git scmethin'."
The idea struck mo as not quite un
feasible. / cut a piece of hickory oal
and manufactured rude bow takin,
some alder twigs for arrows. / prac
tiSto WIN NtpDOl
for three days and then gave it up witt
a mighty disgust. might just Al wei
have attempted proficiency with tom
ahawk.
Another day-it was lovely Sunda
morning-I chanced to be reading in
fern-hook. two or three fields ava
from the house. was half way throug
the first chapter of my book, when SUD
denly great four-tined buck jumpe
the fence behind me and lazily inspecte
me from head to heels. was stung b
the contempt which his look and mar
ner implied.
That's right" / exclaimed hotl,
shit man when he's down! Heap u
all the aflronts you and yEsr relative
can think of when you know hs oen
defend himself. Take your chance
while you can. It's your turn now, bl
it won't be long. No, stree, it won
I'll come back here-that william
I'll fetch along gatling gun and raj
the whole country, fore and aft
thun ler.''
So saying, arose and threw my cam
stool at him. He didn't wait for
though, but saucily airted his tail, toe
the fence with fifteen feet to spare, al
was back in the bush again.
But my day had been spoiled. All Il
religious calm in which ! clothed m
self that morning was now but the filtl
rags Of rage and discomfort
toiled back in the hot sun with n
head quite in flame Entering the da
sitting-room, sat down in rockin
chair and watched the rifle which hun
so temptingly against the high Gimme
piece. To me IL seemed grand in its a
tiquity. The long, heavy barrel wi
its slender polished stock and deer
curved butt were fascinating in tn
ancient grace.
sAhl" said, musipgly' "how mol