The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-10-28
DICK POOLE'S JUMP.

Oh management pursued by the owners
was such as to reduce the dimension
ol tne estate, until, when it came to the
nero or this tale, there was little left
Oh the ancestral acres. But Dick Poole
cared naught for this. AS long as he
mad the privilege of fishing and shoot
ing over the old place land the new
comers never refused him). and could
procure enough money from his agent
to get drunk as often as he liked he
let the world wag, and saw the nroner-
" side from him with the euuanimity
OF an impecunio&s philosopher. He
had been weaned so to speak. upon
,ne oott.e. When a boy, his father
useu 10 encourage him to sip stiff
puhcn from tumo!er specially reduc-
eu IN dimensions to suit his tender
years A gun was made for him with
similar view TO the fitness of things.
Wnen he grew up he was presented
win larger tumbler and a bigger
gun. On one occasion he rode a stee-
ple-chase, and when he came in a win
ner, his father delightedly exclaimed.
LICK, I'm prouder of you this mo-
ment than if you wrote the Bible"
his education was supposed to have
been amply provided for when he could
mold his own with the hounds and dis
tlnguish himself with a gun in the
Dogs or the stubole.
Inc consequence of this hereditary
course OF training was that Dick he
came dead shot, and possessed of a
wonderful head Tor whiskey. He dis
posed OF farm after farm of his es-
ta'e, until at length there was nothing
ieI~ him but the old house, which be
STUCK tC. AMI an old retainer. Dan Do
herty, who ciung to his fortunes with
nCeIty which might be described as
nie!odramatlc. Poole, OF course. from
NAB naDlts, was not a welcome guest
among the country families, though
they universally admitted his right 10
op"slder himself of their cast. lie kept
ui however, custom of visiting the
cerS who were stationed at small
garrison town in the neighbornood
a1d 1t was at their mess, to which he
WAS invited, that the circumstances
arose. the sequel of which rendered his
NJ ne household word throughou,
the province.
During dinner Poole conducted him
self we'll enough. He was for-nnotoIu
placed next to a quiet sucking ansign.
put when the claret was disposed of
wheh the major left the room, and |
Stiohg waters were called on, Poole |
1aiu :, nimseil out, as was usual with |
A'nl' Ior hard night. A few of the |
men seeing the rate at which he went. |
calculated on putting him under the |
tsnle, put before Dick had shown the
SHsntest token OF Undue exhilaration. |
several or his entertainers were talking |
lh!cKiy and laughing loudly. Hunting |
ana shooting stories were exchanged |
win a crescendo OF mendacity on the !
part OF the narrators as the night ad-
vanced. Dick had set them ali in a
roar by describing how he had shot |
down every bird in a covey save one
And L left him." shouted Dick, TO
breed!"
AT length the conversation turnea
upon swimming.
ialking about swimming" put in
Poo!e, do you know the cliffs ar The
seaside of Poolegarra? I'll bet any
man that I'll jump off the highes. mar,
% those cliffs, and carry another feI-
lcT Oh my lack"
A universal burst of laughter erd
cries or Take you up, old bow, Hoy
hiuch can you book for?" greeted this
insane challenge. 'A''
When the noise had somewhat sub.
''ueu' Lieutenant Browne, the senior
ieutehant or the regiment, produced a
'ettihg-Dook, and said to Dick:
II you are serious Mr.. Poole. for a
hundred You don't do it,"
'Done!" replied Dick at once And
I was fixed there ard then that the
performance was TO take place on the
ollowing Saturday.
For a wonder Poole walked off stead
er thsn many of his hosts on that
light. Lieutenant Browne eypressed
llmself well to win: Off if the foot
mould be mad enough to attemnt snch
thing himself, there is no one Iivina
Vho would be idiot enough to On on
lis back" thought he. Next morn,na
'oole told Dan Doherty how be on
Dyed himself at the BARRACKS ana
hen qu'e'ly meaticael the bet as IL ,
y nue. hoth'ng OF 1t. Dan for few
eeopoS couid not speak word, for t
ofIor ana surprise; at last he man I
sed 20 stammer out:
or Eas-er Dick, Master Dick. what
yer c!i ye make by it? Is it out ay
S'HnSS ye are intlfely!'
NO, you old goose, I'm not out or
y ceEses," replied Poole. II want n
IN hundred pounds, and; what's
.ore, Dan" he went on, coaxinglv :
You must help me to win It,"
'Begorra thin ! WON'T" burst ont :
'an with rehe'lious energy "Iye =
aFVtd you, man and boy, this MANY a q
ear; out hand or part or fut, SO heIp ',
e." 'p .
Look here. Dan. don't intend n :
o 1t at all. and still / intend to win .
ae wager We want it, as you know =
adly." AN""' 4
God help US, It's thru for you sir. !.
'e DO said DAN emphatically,
We'll. here's my plan. Wen ba :
n the ground. Yeu'll get ON nv bacx" y
Dan made forcible gesture ~ di,.
enD, "and Just as we seem ahou, =, J.
tart the police will be on the snot
, STOP US. lhigunthugh? Do Won :,
ake?) !
You name that we're to put them :,
p to 1t? Is that it. sir?" :,
"Yes. of course" !.