The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-05-04
JOKE ON A PROMINENT RALEIGH
MAN.
The "Unloaded" Gun Got in Its Usual
Deadly Work.


OF we'll known men who lived in North
ampton county before the war. In a re-
cent article to that paper he told the
following story on himself, which was
first published in the Washington Post
several years ago:
Some years ago Col. Pulaski Cow
per, than whom there is not q more
clever, whole souled and popular gentle
man, n o widely known, or one
who enjoys a good joke better, even if
it is at his own expense, in the North
State, was reading law in the town Of
Jackson, the county seat of Northamp
ton county.
In the vicinity OF Jackson lived
Uncle Tom Wheeler, who was as well
known in Northampton, as Col. Cow
per is IN the State. 1t is said that
Uncle Tom was possessed Of consider
able means though somewhat miserly,
at any rate, very few people saw him
spending money.
One characteristic of Uncle Tom
was, when away from home he was
never seen without his gun; Odd
Betsy" as he always called it, as we'll
AS his dog always accompanied him;
end though he lever went any where
without his gun, no n ever saw him
with any game.
1t made but little difference in what
ERECTION Uncle Tom started from home
to take a little hunt" it was always
nearer to go via Jackson; and some of
his neighbors insinuated that the wet
groceries" had some attraction for him,
as it was almost a daily occurrence for
MIN to be seen in town; aud while he
vas ever ready, if drinks we're pro
posed, he was never known to ''set
'em up"
This reminiscenCe occurred during a
court week in Jackson, and, on &C
count of an important case to be tried,
there were a large number of people in
attendance, estimated by some at five
thousand. Near the court house was
the store of Mr.. John Randolph, a dis
tant relative Of John Randolph of
Roanoke.
In the South, the store house in the
towns and villages, is not considered
complete without a piazza in front
Randolph's store had a very large one,
on which were seated some fifteen or
twenty men, including Uncle JON. He
had set odd Betsy" inside the store
and near the door, and he was setting
in the porch, about midway between
the two front doors Of the store.
Col. Cowper had become somewhat
weary at the wrangling of the lawyers,
over the admission Of some evidence,
90 he took up his hat and walked out
of the court house over to Randolph's
store. where he found the crowd in the
porch teasing Uncle Tom about always
carrying his gun and never having any
game, and some intimated that they
did not believe he could kill anything.
Col. Cowper seeing Mr.. John Calvert,
who vas inside the store, take up the
! gun, and draw out the shot, leaving
only the powder in, and set it back
where Uncle Tom had left it, and be-
ing confident he had a sure thing" on
the old man, joined in with the others
in teasing him, Col. Cowper proposed
TO bet treats for the crowd that Uncle
Tom could not hit his hat, if placed on
q large oak stump about fifteen feet off.
Col. Cowper had on a fine silk hat, for
! which he paid S. 90 the day before
L ncle Tom said, well, Leski" CHATS
what he always called the Colonel II
don't want to hurt your new hat, but
as you insist upon it, and propose
drinks for the crowd and as l feel q
little dry, if you will let me take q rest,
I'll see what old Betsey can DO"
The Colonel said, "Au right, you can
| take a rest, and sit down too, if you
like."
The Colonel sent five or six boys
| around town to tell everybody to come
quick around to Randolph's store,
/ there was going to be a free treat"
He and Uncle Tom then went TO the
oak stump toput the hat in position.
1t Yves some little time before Uncle
Tom conld place the het exactly as he
| wanted it. While all this was going
on, John Calvert took up the gun,
| which was near to the shot pouch, and
flied her about half full Of shot and
set it back in place.
Everything in readiness, Uncle Tom
took up his gun, remarking, "Otd
Betsey, you have never failed me, now
| do your best" Seating himself in a