Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-09-18


nobody" AS Zube dashed down tht
road, the whole circus raised whooI
after him. This started about twenty
dogs, hounds, ours. and pointers-ir
full chase of him (for no one moved
without his dog in those days). The
dogs alarmed some belled cattle, which
were grazing on Zube's path, just a.
he reached them; these joined him
with tails up and tremendous rat
thing. Just beyond these went three
tobacco rollers, at distances Of fifty
and a hundred yards apart, each oi
whom gave Zube a terrific whoop
scream, or yell as he passed.
| He went in and out Of Hawks Gull
ly like trap-ball, and was in Spring
field "in less than no time" Here he
was encouraged onward by a new re-
cruit Of dogs; but they gave up the
chase as hopeless before they cleared
the village. Just beyond Springfield
what should Sally encounter but a
flock of geese-the tribe to which she
owed all her misfortunes. She STOP
ped suddenly, and Zube went over heI
head with the last acquired velocity
He was up in a moment, and the ac-
tivity with which he pursued Sally
satisfied every spectator that he was
unhurt.
Gridiron, who had witnessed Miss
Sally's treatment with astonishment
and indignation, resolved not to pass
between the posts until the whole
matter should be explained to his sat
isfaction. He therefore stopped short
and, by very intelligible looks, de-
manded of the whippers whether, II
he passed between them, he was to be
treated as Miss Spitfire had been
The whippers gave him no satisfac-
tion, and his rider signified, by reiter-
ated thumps Of the heel, that he should
go through whether he would or not
OF these, however Gridiron seemed to
know nothing. In the midst Of the
conference, Gridiron's eye lit upon the
oscillating gander, and every moments
survey Of 1t begot in him growing
interest, as his slowly rising head,
suppressed breath, and projected ears
plainly evinced. After short exam
ination, he heaved a sigh, and looked
behind him to see II the way was clear,
It was plain that his mind was now
made up; but, to satisfy the world that
he would do nothing rashly, he took
another view, and then wheeled and
went to Harrisburg as II he had set in
for years running. Nobody whoop-
| ed at Gridiron, for all saw that his
running was purely the result Of phil
osophic deduction. The reader will not
suppose all this consumed half the time
which has been consumed In telling 1t,
though it might have been so without
interrupting the amusement; for Miss
Spitfire's flight had completely sus-
pended it for time.
The remaining competitors now went
on with the sport. A few rounds show
ed plainly that Odum or Bostwick
would be the victor; but which, no one
could tell. Whenever either Of them
came round the gander's neck was
sure Of a severe wrench. Many a
half-pint Of Jamaica was staked upon
them, beside other things. The poor
gander withstood many a strong pull
before his wailings ceased. At length
however, they were hushed by Odum
Then came Bostwick, and broke the
neck The next grasp Of Odum, 1t was
thought, would bear away the head;
but it did not. Then Bostwick was
sure Of it; but he missed 1t. Now
Odum must surely have 1t. All is in
terest and animation: but horses
sweep round with redoubled speed;
every eye is upon Odum, his hackers
smiling Bostwick's trembling. To the
rope he comes. lifts his hand, when
10! fat John Fulger had borne 1t away
the second before. All were astonished
all disappointed, and some were vexed
a little; for 1t was now clear that "i1
1t hadn't "a been for his great, fat
greasy paw" to use their own Ian
guage, "Odum would have gained the
victory" Others cursed that long
legged Zube Zin, who was so high he
didn't know when his feet were cold
for bringing such a nag as Sal Spit
fire to a gander-pullen! for II he'd a
been in his place 1t would "a flung
Bostwick right where that gourd o
hogs lard (Fulger) was"
Fulger's conduct was little calculat.
ed to reconcile them to their disap.
pointment.
Come here Neddy Prator," said he
with a triumphant smile; '1et you1
uncle Johnny put his potato -stealel
[handl into that hat and tickle th'
chins of them are sinners a little! Oh
you little shining sons O. BIS! wall
into your Mas Johnny's pocket, ant
Jingle so as Arch Odum and Cor!
Bostwick may hear you! You hea
'em, Cory? Boys, don't pull with mel
any more. I've jist got my hand in
l wish l had a pondful O. ganders her,
now, jist to show how l could make
their heads fly. Bet all I've won, yol
may hang three upon that rope and II
set SLOUGH at full speed, and take of
the heads of all three the first grab
two with my hands and one with m!
teeth"
!, Thus he went on, but really ther
was no boasting in all this; 1t was al
; fun for John knew, and all wer
convinced that he knew, that his sue
cess was entirely the result of acci
dent. John was really "a good-nature'
fellow" and his cavorting had an eff
feet directly opposite to that which tn
, reader would suppose 1t had; it re
| conciled all to their disappointment
save one. l except little Billy Mixer
of Spirit Creek, who had staked tn
net proceeds of six quarts Of buckle
/ berries upon Odum, which he had bee
| long keeping for safe bet. He coul
, not be reconciled until he fretted him
{ self into a pretty little piny-wood
fight, in which he got whipped, an
then he went home perfectly satisfied
: Fulger spent all his winnings wit
Il =