Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-26
A THANKSGIVING DAYS HUNT.
Noodles Unfortunate Experience In Shoot
ing Hats With the Colonel.

Noooies Unfortunate Experience In Shoot
ing Hats With the Colonel.
ssWELL, DEAR BOYS" SAID NOODLES
w last night at the Platypus Club, II
went shooting on Thanksgiving day."
what did you got?" inquired the dear boys.
who had been relating in turn how each of
them had spent the holiday.
Il came very near getting shot," replied
Noodles. 'In fact. I was SO unfortunate as to
figure as the game instead of as the sportsman.
But it is painful subject, and must have
something to drink before starting in to tell
you the story. John, ask the gentlemen what
they will have.
'Isuppose that all Of you know Col Winter
bottom. Though most people take him for a
cold, stern man, he is in reality a very warm
hearted old fellow, and have recently had an
opportunity Of learning that he is subject to oc-
casionsl hts OF very hot temper. Anyway, he
is trife too irsscible to suit me for IL shooting
companion. was not acquainted with this
weakness of his when accepted an invitation
to spend Thanksgiving day, with dog and gun,
In his company over in the wiids of Virginia.
I'VE had very bad luck, finding not so much
as a cock robin to knock down, and along in the
afternoon We began to get discouraged. Finally
the colonel made a suggestion which seemed
likely to provide little amusement He pro-
posed that each of US should throw up his hat
III tuc just ONCE IOr the Otner 10 tre at.
thought would risk my tile because the old
buffer was such an abominably bad shot that he
was very likely to miss it. We chucked up a
penny and it fell to his lot to shoot first
II threw up my hat as high as / could and he
blazed away at it. The colonel fred Just as it
reached its highest point in the air and missed
1t entirely, to his ill-concealed chagrin Putting
it back on my head l thrust a fresh cartridge
into my gun-only one barrel was permitted
and said: Now, colonel. it is my turn
He threw up his hat. which was a rather
battered old felt, and. raising my gun to nv
shoulder, blew the top clean out Of it as it
fell. Turning with n smile to the colonel what
was my surprise to observe that his ordinarily
horid complexion was deathly pale Almost
| inarticulate with anger, LIE exclaimed as he
picked up his hat:
"'D-n it, sir! How dare you commit such
an outrageP
why l replied in amazement 1T was your
own proposition that we should make the trial ,
"'Certauly, admitted the colonel. But. sir,
supposed that you were gentleman. and that,
as mater OF course. you would follow my ex-
| ample and refrain from hitting my hat, s;r
Now. sir, you will buy me new hat sir. in
stanter. There is a hat store in the village half
! a mile from here and you will buy it there.
Quick. march!
And do you know, dear boys" said Noodles
the colonel marched me all the way to the
village at the point of his gun, and obliged me
to buy him felt hat that worth about four
times as much as the dilapidated ono | spoiled
Tor him. Then We came home bv different
routes. and haven't received any apology from
him since. That is what | mean when | say
that | figured as the game on this expedition.
1t isn't pleasant way to go shooting, on the
whole, and, if you fellows are not unwilling
We will try TO drown the recollection in the
howinS bowl John, ask the gentlemen what
they will have this time