Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-20
THIRTEEN TIPsY COONs.
CarOusers That MIR. Anderson Dis
covered I'm His Cider-Mill House.

A Copper Hill, y. j., letter says: Thir-
teen new coon skins are hanging
on the back Of Hosea Anderson's barn.
They were taken from the bodies OF
thirteen coons whose fondness for cider
resulted In death. In fact, they went to
a drunkard's grave.
Anderson owns q big farm and an ex-
tensve apple orchard. lie is the largest
manufacturer of cider and applejack in
Hunterdon county. About two weeks ago
he began making cider The clder-mll is
under the corner OF a large building stu
ated short distance from his dwelling.
1t is the custom to shut and lock the
doors OF the cider-mil house every night
when work Is finished, but they were left
open by mistake a few nights ago. An
derson had just got into bed and and be-
gun the first chapter OF an all-night's
sleep. when he was aroused by Mrs. An
derson. who gave him a nervous shake
and asked:
Hosea. what's that noise"
Anderson got his eyes and ears open
after a while. and heard a racket some
where in the vicinity OF the cider-mll
house. After listening attentively a few
minutes. he jumped out OF bed with his
temper up TO the expressive point, and.
pulling on his trousers. said:
"Confound that Jim Watson. he left
the cider-mill door unlocked. and the
winds BLOWN it open. I'll hunt this
county over tomorrow for some man
that I can depend on to look out for
things when I'm busy"
Bang went the door. and with a growl
Anderson slapped his hat on. and started
for the cIder-mill house. When he go.
about half way down TO the building he
heard peculiar sound that came through
the open door, II was a combiIation OF
sharp yelps and enarls. Something un-
usual was evidently up. and with a
thought of cider-thieves he hurried back
to the house, and. getting a shotgun.
sneaked back. In the shadow Of the trees,
toward the clder-mill.
Creeping up 10 place where there
was a knothole in the side OF the build
ing. he examined the interior. The sight
he saw quieted his fears. There were
no burglars in sight. For the purpose o.
letting In sunlight and air. a portion of
the roof Of the cider-mll has been re-
moved and through the opening the
moonlight was streaming, making this
interior Of the building bright as day.
The floor was partly covered with bar
rels filed with cider. The bungholes
were open to give the cider a chance TO
work. Some OF the cider was u week
old. and had what the farmers call
tang TO IL. That means bite TO II.
and at that age cider is pleasant to take.
and It Is very apt 10 put twist into the
thinkers walk. If he swallows enough
Of IL. Around and over these barrels
were crawling and staggering lot OF
coons. and some had their sharp noses
thrust into the bungholes. Coons are
very fond OF sweet cider, and this party
had struck q picnic.
Anderson counted thirteen animals, and
every one OF them was pretty well jagged
an. Some were on the floor wadding
round with an uncertain gait; others
were striving - get TO the top OF the
barrels once more, but were too weak
and groggy 10 pull themselves up. A
couple sat on their launches facing each
other and as they swayed from side to
aide snarled like a pair OF old women.
Occasionally, three or four got into a
nrss over the possession of a bung-
hole. and in the rough and tumble rolled
of the barrels 10 The floor
Anderson slipped around TO the other
aide of the building and locked the door.
rhen he went TO the house and turned
IN for the night. The next morning. he
want TO the cider-miil bright and early.
lie found the thirteen coons there. With
The exception OF three. they were stretch
"a out on the floor sleeping of
,he,r debauch. Three OF them were
wandering aimlessly around the room. oc-
rasionally coming together and fighting
ike bulldogs. Anderson got his DOG
Ter interested in the coons, and inside
of ten minutes JET had shaken every one
Of them into eternity.