Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-02-12

death upon the frontier that they might
found new landl" =
had handled Winchesters and REM
ingtons, of the newest pattern, but none
had ever seemed so impressive in me-
chanism or design as did now the sim
pie weapon of the bacltwoods, the relic
OF sterner, braver days. In the light Of
rifles of modern make, Il was rs II one
should compare one of Cellni's goblets
with a Tiffany bowl
Then / went down to the creek and
had swim in order to cool off, and
after that smoked pipe the rest of the
afternoon.
The Monday which followed will al
ways remain firmly cngraven upon my
memory. II was rather cloudy in tho
morning, and quito 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 a
short cut across the creek and along tho
fence until l had reached the long wheat
field which adioined the house.
Suddenly / heard great squwaking
and whirling in the air above, and look
ing up, saw novel sight. There,
about hundred yards up, was vast
flock of geese, beating the air with their
wirgs as terrible rate.
leaned against the fence to watch
their movements. They were coming
towards me and appeared to be gradu
ally descending. At last they were
quite near the ground, and before l
could realize how they did it, were set
Ting plump down into the great wheat
field ut my side.
A wild goose is a iine-looking bird. His
well-turned 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 where stood,
quacking with loud satisfaction, as they
greedily devoured the tender wheat
Kernels. i could almost fancy them
trussed and basted, with knife and fork
in their backs, marching around as
living invitation to dinner.
The house was in easy reach, and as
looked upon the temptation, wild
thought filed my brain. Idashed off at
headlong speed, and in few minutes,
was at the side gate. l could see Mrs.
Bryce kneading bread in the kitchen.
IL 10 WClls lhtil hulCuy ShC VIII
not hear me-" 10
Then / stealthily made my way round
to the front door, and crcpt through the
hall into the sitting-room With tremb-
ling limbs l mounted chair, and
reached down the ancient rifle and its
accoutremcnts.
Then with a step as cat-like as false
SeXtls', | stole out of the front door
and around to the back of the woodshed.
Then, with trembling emotion, sur
veyed my prize. 1t was certainly very
old, and rich crust of rust thickly
coated the barrel lock.
With prodigious tug, dragged the
cumbersome ramrod from its rusty bed
Then inserting it 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 it down to almost
| its length. 1 slowly dragged it out
again, and measured down the barrel
on the outside. There seemed to be
difference OF about an inch. Could this
mean that there was already charge
in the barrelp Here was dilemma. |
raised the hammer slowly; it was very
rusty, and creaked with gritty noise
On the nipple underneath was an old
cap. Its ancient copper had taken on
blush tint. Did this indicate that the
gun was loadcdP In my emotional con-
dition, stamped with vexation.
But something must be done, and
resolved ito take the bull by the horns"
1t would never do to risk my only
chance on mere possibility. The gun
barrel certainly looked strong enough
to stand dozen charges. AT all
events, / could risk the chance of n
double load So without delay, Ipoured
a generous measure from the ancient
powder horn into the barrel. listened
to it as it vigorously trickled down the
interminable pit. Next, i 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 it.
Slowly and surely it was driven home.
Then, removing the mouldy cap, |
fitted new one upon the nipple, and
drew a breath of mighty satisfaction.
My soul thrilled with the thoughts of
future conquests. ,v
My heart beat furiously as threaded
my way through the blackberry bushes,
and out to the field. l went softly as a
panther who is bent on 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.
A better shot could be had if climbed
the fence, and crept slowly down to them.
1t was a stout picket fence, and
should have to climb over. I had no
hesitation in thus displaying myself to
the geese, since had had but recently
so convincing an exhibition of their
tameness.
| argued falsely in this, for just as
had raised myself to the cross-bar of the
fence, in the act OF climbing over, the
geese uttered loud cries of alarm, and
began to rise slowly into the air.
In great excitement raised my gun.
Although was astraddle of o sharp
. rail fence, resolved not to be baulkcS
in my hour of triumph.
As the geese rose, they slowly came
sailing over me. f.y
Pointing the gun at the very heart o
, great, fat cluster of them, l Leaned
slowly over backward to get good aim
Then shut my eyes and pulled the
/ trigger.
When l picked myself from the grount
little while after, remember making
= painful effort to recall what had oc
, Cured during the space of time that in
' tervened between the moment when tn
i fence became unmanageable, and tn
: first dawn of awakening consciousness
1 The only experience l could confiden
1 TALLY recollect during the same perio
| ~ time ,uoa tkat % thn ,un,11 r;o;,,,