A GOOD STORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 825, 22 December 1882, Page 2

A GOOD STORY.

A Vermonter in the. United States Regulars, a tall, lank, red-haired private named B— —, who was always in some scrape or other, obtained leave... for a day’s shooting, and was coming; ' home unsuccessful when he saw a large crow on a tree. To level his gun and fire was the impulse of a moment,, and down tumbled the crow almost at his feet. Now it happened that the crow was a tame one, and a pet of General. C , a wealthy landowner in the district. And it so happened that the General was an unseen witness of the' death of his favourite. Enraged at his loss he determined to punish the offender in a way he was likely to remember. So coming forward in a friendly manner, he nodded to B , who saluted in return. “You’ve got a fine gun there,” said the General; “that’s just the neatest doublebarrelled gun about these diggings.” The General turned the gun round and examined it carefully, ■ when putting the barrel that was still loaded at full cock to his shoulder, and pointing it at B said, “Yod have . wilfully shot the greatest favourite I had, and now you’ve got to eat it.?’,. ; ; B , ; explained and begged and prayed, but to no purpose; the ‘Gene- - ral was unmoved by his entreaties, atid- 5 told him he must eat it or die. B once more turned his eyes piteously towards the General, but the cold, ■ wicked eye, glancing along the gunbarrfel convinced him (as he afterwards said) that there was fire in it. —So—with a groan he picked up the crpw, . and shutting his eyes, commenced disagreeable meal. He worried down two or three mouthfuls and then stopped, unable to eat more of the disgusting carrion, and the General L thinking that he had gone far enough, told him that would do; and after advising him to be more careful in -1 future what he shot, handed him ha gun, and told him he could go. As ' soon as B got his gun in his hands, he turned fiercely on the General and said—“ It’s my turn now!? You may eat the remainder of the' crow.” In vain the General stamped and swore and prayed to be let ofE B was as firm as he himself had been a few minutes before. Nothing would satisfy the enraged soldier but that the General should eat the whole of what was left, and which he had to do before B let him off. The next day the General went to B—-—’s colonel and explained that he had been grossly insulted by one of his soldiers the day previous. The Colonel inquired which one. “ Why,” said the General, “he was a tall, lean, ill-favoured fellow, with red hair.” “Ha ! ” said the Colonel, “ I know him, he is always in some scrape. Orderly, bring B here immediately.” In a few minutes the orderly returned with B , who was wondering what scrape he was in now. “B said the Colonel, “ do you know this gentleman?” “What! me?” said B , looking as amazed. as possible. “ Yes,” said the Colonel,. “do you know him ? ” “ Yes we are slightly acquainted,” said B . “We dined together yesterday.” The General could hold out no longer, but bursting into a hearty laugh, asked the Colonel to let him go, as he heartily forgave him.— Harper's Monthly.