Year: 1864

forth, and the deacon, instead Of offering
to match his bull for any OF those quail
ties that 60 toward making good beef,
profered the challenge for its fighting
quality.


These haudbills were scattered far and
wide by the aid of peripatetic pcddler,
and one of them found its way to the
hands of noted breeder of stock In the
western part of the State, who determined
on accepting the challenge on behalf of
fine young animal of his own, and max
ing an attempt to fob the deacon's one
hundred dollars. Accordingly he started
with his bull for the deacon's, but by
some delays on the road be did not reach
his destination until late on Saturday af-
ternoon. Upon his stating his errand he
was warmly welcomed by the deacon and
honest praise bestowed upon the splendid
animal he had brought with him. Itwas
too late that evening for the trial. and the
bull was accordingly driven into the rich
pastures to recruit after the journey, and
his owner made free to the deacon's
home.


The next day being the Sabbath, the
family all set forth to church, the deacon
surrend dering his place in the family pew
to the stranger, and staying at home un-
per the plea Of rot feeling well. After
they were all gone, the deacon, to aid In
dismissiug the thought Of the two bulls,
and of the coming fight on the morrow,
got down the family bible and read a
chapter; but still the bulls would mix
themselves with the texts, and wander
away with his thoughts. at last the
deacon could stand it no longer, and put
ting on his hat, out he went to take one
1 look at the fierce monster that was on
the morrow to carry the laurels from his
bull, and the hundred dollars from him,
or leave him the happy victor.


There he stood in the centre Of the
Geld, coal black, and shaking his fierce
shaggy head in defiance. The deacon
gazed in admiration and the thought
crept into his brain that tomorrow was
long time to wait and that there was
nobody to see and no one to tell tales, he
might as we'll give the bulls just one little
turn at each other that be might be the
better able to Judge, and if the contest
waxed too warm he could drive Of bis
own animal without trouble. No sooner
thought than dene, and the deacon
stealthily let down the bars that led into
the field and proceeded to drive his bull,
but the strange bull in an instant saw
the enterance open, and without delay,
rushed through and in less time than it
takes to tell it, tackled the deacon's ball.


The fight was terrible, and the deacon
delighted For while he forgot his
Sabbath breaking in the keen enjoyment
of the fight, and the belief that MS bull
would be the victor, but at length the
stranger began to have the best of it, and
the deacon, fearing the defeat Of his ia.
vorite, took hand in the fight himself.
He tore a rail from the fence and rushed
at the black bull, punching him in the
rear, and striving to drive him back to
his pasture. The attack Instead of at
tanning its object only increased the AMI
mails rage, until with one fierce lunge he
laid his antagonist en- the ground, pierced
him through the chest with one thrust Of
his sharp horns, and laid him dead in an
instant.


No sooner had he finished his work 10
front than, like a good soldier, he made
for the enemy in the rear; and the dea-
ICON made for the opening in the fence
with the believing monster close at his
heels. U


Away they went, deacon and bull,
straight for the house, the first putting
and blowing under his fearful speed, the
last paving and believing in a manner to
strike terror into frmer hearts than that
of the deacon. It was a terrible race;
but the deacon won it BY few yards,
Just slamming the door Of the house in
the face Of the bull, and rushing to the
kitchen for safety. In moment he
heard with terror the blow Of the mon
ster's head upon the door; a second
thump and down 1t went, admitting him
to the hail.


The door OF the parlor stood open, and
upon the wall opposite was large mirror,
the pride of the deacou's wife and daugh-
ter, and the choice piece Of their house.
huld goods. The bull did not waste time,
but seeing his image in the glass, made
one rush, scattering the glass in minute
particles, and shaking the house With the
crash.


By this time the deacon began to re-
cover his wind and his presence of mind
and think of loaded gun hanging over
the mantlepiece in the kitchen. Rem
dered desperate he eiutched the weapon
and rushed to the door of the parlor.-
The bull spIed him instantly and made
runh--h;c lnst-fnr aln,nst rnnnincr the