The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-09-17


the pole quiet high in tho air, anu to that
end was 1oopod plow line, and to the
lower end of tho limo diiothc1 loop was
slipped over tho crimson foot Of a.vcnera-.
bio gandcr and left him swinging, head
downwards, Just high enough for horse
man to reach it easily rs he rode under
meath. Tho doomed bird gavo an occa-
sioral s1uawE, and with wings half
open and neck half bent, 1co1.el or with
un1ucstioned alarm upon tho people.
The feathers had been stripped from its
neck and a thick coat of grease put on.
The undergrowtl had been removed and
running path for tho horscmcn cleared
of all distractions. Tho tournament be-
gan at II o'clock. Twenty sovorcigns,
mounted on their plow nags, ranged
themselves at ono end Of the path and
awaited the call of their names by the old
'suuire, who had them written on a fly
leaf in the back Of his docket. No mdIt
was allowed to ride until he had planked
up a dollar. Tho old squire had contrib
uted the gander just out of good feeling
to the boys, he said, and he was nomina-
ted as treasurer and umpire and carried
the bag, and on his decision the whole
sum was to be awarded the victor. lie
had adjourned his court for two hours to
sec the fun and keep down any distur-
banco of the peace. Eight 'whippers"
were mustered in, four on each side of the
running course. They were all armed
with good long switches or hickorys, and
their willing duty was to sec to it that no
mans nag moved toward the gandcr with
less alacrity than gallop. "Now, boys"
said he," "not a lope that would keep q
nag a-lopin' half an hour in tho shade of
a tree, but right lively gallop, and if tho
critter slows up any, you must peartin
him up little, especially as he's a-nighin'
toward the gander."
Tho boys were true sovercigns. They
were not knights. They wcrc arrayed in
their homemade pants and homemade
shirts and home-knit galluses. Their
shoes were made at the tannery and their
hats at the battery. Coats and vests wore
not on their regalia. All the naborhood
were their spectators, including many
women, some with infants at the breast,
and some with sons in the tournament.
The gathering people exchanged salu-
tations and smiles and gave the family
news and gradually drew near the place
where the anserian struggle was impend-
ing.
The old squire had participated in somo
old-fashined musters in his day, and SO,
when everything was ready, he stood on
a log, and, raising his right hand, ex-
claimed: "'Tcntion, company! In the
proceedings we are about to proceed with
it are expected that every man will con-
duct his behavior accordin' to what's fair
and honest-no man are to take any dis
advantage of ary other man nor of the
gander. Thar ho are hangin' without a
friend. Tote fair, boys, tote fair; and put
him out of misery as quick as you ken,
in reason. Jack Pullum-threo PAGES to
the Observation-Disclosures
AS Jack stuck his heels i'll his ponys
flank the crowd shouted: "Charge 'cm,
Jack, Charge emr' But Jacks critter
wasent used to charging. He rebellcd at
the go and tho "whippers in" had to come
to his support. He dashed in aud out of
the path wildly, but finally took the bit
in his teeth and started down tho limo Oh
desperate run for freedom amid the
shouts and cheors of the multitude. He
steered we'll until he suddenly eyed tho
great white bird just ahead Of him. Ho
stopped as il ON the brink of precipicc,
but Jack went OH. That capped the eli
max Of tumultuous hilarity. The like of
that was what they came for. Jack
caught on his hands and feet, and was
soor remountcd and took another start,
and his nag behaved better, but still did
not come in reach of the gandcr, and he
lost his chance until the second grand
round. "We'uns hain't got no geese at
our house," said he, "and my animal
never seed one afore, as knows on.'
Samuel Swillin, to the 'front.'" called
the squire. "Ready, aim, charge" Sans
critter WAS more tractable, and Sam got a
fair hold, but tho grease was too slick for
him, and as he slipped his hold the poor
bird swang to and fro and Tapped his
wings loud and long at tho terrible
squeeze and the more terrible elongation
of his nsophagus. Sam was congratula-
ted on his effort. lie wiped his fingers on
a pine top and said "Yes, I'll be dad
burned if I wouldent have got him, but
the dingd thing was so all-iired slickory,
1 was in hopes that Jack Pullum would
have got the fust grab and sleeked often
some Of it,
"Rube Undorwood"-to the front
-aim-charge. Rube had big
mouth and was freckle faced and red
headed, and rode flee bitten gray that had
been taught to dance and prancc around,
and to go sideways-"jest to show smart '
as the boys said-and it took the animal
some time to be convinced that danger
and prancing wasn't in order at this par
ticular time. A walloping lick just ms he
ncarcd the goal caused him to make a
fearful leap right under the bird, and us
Rubc had to uso both hands to hold his
seat the ganders head collided square i'll
Rube's face and some swore got in his
mouth and "enon lie had jest shct it he
would have had the prize" Ho retired
in coed order and awaited his second
turn One by one tho riders came as they
were called. One after another got some
Of tic grease aud wiped il Oh their horses
mane, but tho muscles Of the galldcr were
old and tough, and every ono Of The
twenty had gone his round and failed.
when the squire called a halt and ordered
another greasing. 1t was evident, how
ever, That some damage had been done tho
bird, for his wings hung droopy and his
voice was failing him. There was Il lace
ration of fsincws going on, and but for the
fresh grcasny the sport would have soon
ended. ""rcntion, company" said the
Squire. "rhe proceedings will take a
little recess. Boys, you can light and
look at your saddles, and cf you want
water you can 20 10 tic spring and get it,
but don'tw;.. long, for my old gander arc
,,ntri,im fLnrc without q friend and Il SllC-