Year: 1864

deacon d JOSepb Jones, Oh lSitCnuelO, was
fine specimen Of the old style sturdy farmer,
honest. Conscientious. and hospitabls to a
fault, and with one leading vanity, which was
his ability to raise the finest stock in the
whole of New England. In his younger days
the deacon had commanded . company Of
State troops, which had done service during
the last war with Great Britain, and though
he had failed in the technical application Of
the term to smell POWDER yet he had re-
ceived tho infusion of warlike spirit. and
earned the title of captain, which. on the prin-
cipal of "oncc a captain always a-eap.ain."
stuck to him, and mingled with the more
peaceful cognomen Of deacon"


This warlike spirit the deacon could never
conquer, even though he had been frequently
rebukcd by the good dominic for showing SO
much of the church militant in his daily bear
ing; and he could find no greater delight.
when he could obtain an audience, than in re-
falling the days of his captaincy and telling
bloodless tales of "when was out in 'l3 and
IA"


Among the deacon's fine stock was bull,
a splendid animal, which for strength size aud
beauty, excited the envy and admiration Of
the whole country. So much was the dea-
cons bull praised, that very soon its owner
begun to believe that he possessed the most
wonderful animal that ever existed, and to
boast accordingly. From morning to night
nothing could b. heard in tho ncighborhood
of Litchfcld but praises of the deacons bull,
ond estimations of its value. AT last to such
a pitch did this estimation reach, that the
deacon not content with bearing the palm
from every other cattle raiser in the country.
sought like Alexander fresh worlds to con-
quer. and offered his bull to the competition Of
the entire country. To do this properly, dea-
con Jones issued a handbill, setting forth in
glowing lines the qualities of his bull. its size.
age, weight and color, leading off with chal-
lenge to any one possessing au animal of like
size and age, to vanquish the deacon's in a
iair fight for one hundred dollars. Here it
was that the old warllke spirit peeped forth,
and the deacon, instead of offering to match
his bull for any of those qualities that 60 to-
ward making good beef, profered the chal-
lenge for his fighting qualities.


Tho hapdbills were scattered far and wide
by the aid of peripatctic peddler, and one Of
them found it's way to the hands Of noted
breeder of stock in the western part of the
State, who determined on accepting the chal.
lenge on behalf Of a fine young animal of his
own, and making an attempt to fob the dea-
cons one hundred dollars. Accordingly he
started with his bull for the deacon's, but by
some delays upon the road he did not reach
his destination until late on Saturday after
noon. Upon stating his crrand he was
warmly welcomed by the deacon and honest
praise bestowed upon the splendid animal he
had brought with him. 1t was too late that
evening for the trial. and the bull was accor.
dinghy driven into the pasture to recruit after
the journey, and his owner made free to the
deacon's home.


The next day being the Sabbath, the fami-
ly set forth to church, the deacon surrendered
his place in the family pew to the stranger.
and staying at home under the plea Of not
feeling well. After they were we'll gone. the
deacon. to aid in diminishing the thought ofthe
two bulls and Of the coming fight on the NOR
row, got down the family Bible and read
chapter; but still the bulls would mix them
selves with the texts, and wandered away
with his thoughts. At last the deacon could
stand it no longer, and putting on his hat. out
he went to take one look at the fierce monster
that was on the morrow to carry the laurels
from his bull and the hundred dollars, or leave
him the victor.


There he stood! in the centre of the field,
coal black. and shaking his head in defiance
The deacon gazed in admiration, and the
thought crept into his brain that tomorrow
was long time to wait. and that as there was
nobody to see, and no one 10 tell tales, he
might as well give tho bulls one turn at each
other, that he might be better able to judge,
and that II the contest waxcd too warm he
could drive off his bull but the strangers
in an instant saw the entrance open, and with
out delay rushed through and in quicker time
than it takes to tell it, tackled the deacon's
bull. 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 his bull would be the vic
tor. but At length the stranger appeared to
have the best Of it, and the deacon. fearing
the defeat Of his favorite, took hand in the
fight himself. He tore 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 obtaining its
object only increased the animals rage. until
with one fierce lunge be laid his antagonist on
the ground. pierced him through the chest
With one Of his sharp horns. and laid him dead
in IN instant.


No sooner had be finished his work in front
than. like good soldier. be made for the en-
smy in the rrar; and the deacon made for the
opening iu the fence with the bsllowing mon
ster at his heels.


Away they went. deacon and bull. the 6rst
putting and blowing under his fearful speed.
the last paving and believing 10 manner to
strike terror to hrmss hearts than that Of the
deacon. 1t was terrible race but the dea-
con won il by few yards. jnst slamming the
6noe of tha hos,sa in tho faca of the bull. and