YANKEE NOTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 102, 7 December 1878, Page 3

YANKEE NOTIONS.

Shortly after the war between Great Britain and America an aristocratic English gentleman built a residence in the vicinity of Fort George, on the Niagara frontier, and, in accordance with the old country idea of exclusiveness, he enclosed his grounds with a high tight fence. Here he lived like an old English gentleman, " one of the olden time," with the exception that none but the elite of the province and the officers of the garrison were permitted to pass his gate. There was a very good understanding between the American officers at the Niagara and the British at Fort George, and the men were permitted occasionally to visit back and forth. Among the American soldiers was a queer chap who stuttered terribly, was very fond of hunting, and who was always getting into some sort of mischief. One day this chap'took the small boat that lay moored at the foot of the wall of the fort, and crossed over to the Canadian shore for a hunt. He wandered over several miles in rear of Fort George without meeting any game, and on his return, seeing a crow on a tree in the en- ■ closure of the aristocratic Englishman, he scaled the high fence, fired, and brought down his game. Colonel B witnessed the trarisactian, and advanced while the soldier was reloading. He was very angry, but seeing the Yankee standing coolly with a loaded gun in his hand, gulped down his passion for a moment, and merely asked him if he killed the crow.

The soldier replied that he did. " I am sorry," said the colonel, " for he was pet. By-the-bye, that is a very pretty gun. Will you be so kind as to let me look at it ?"

The soldier complied with the request. The Englishman took the gun, stepped back a few paces, took deliberate aim, and then broke forth in a tirade of abuse, concluding with an order to stoop down and take a bite of the crow, or he would blow his brains out. The soldier explained, apologised, entreated. It was no use. The colonel kept his finger on the trigger, and he sternly repeated the command. There was " shoot " in the Englishman's eye ; there was no help for it ; and the stuttering soldier stooped and took a bite of the crow ; but swallow it he could not. Up came his breakfast, and it really appeared as if he would throw up his toe-nails. The Englishman gloated on the misery of his victim, and smiled complacently at every additional heave. After the man had Aviped his eyes, the colonel handed him his gun, with this remark—" Now, you rascal, that will teach you how to poach on a gentleman's enclosure."

The Yankee soldier took his gun, and the colonel might have seen the devil in his eye if he had looked close. Stepping back he took deliberate aim at the heart of his host, and ordered him instantly to finish the e.row. One bite was enough, and while the Englishman was in an agony of sickness Jonathan escaped to the American shore.

The next morning early the commandant at Fort Niagara was sitting in bis quarters, Avhen the colonel was announced. " Sir," said the colonel, " I come to demand the punishment of one of your men who yesterday entered my premises and commited a great outrage." " We have here three hundred men, and it would be difficult for me to know who it is you mean," said the American officer. The Englishman described him as a long dangling, stuttering, stoop-shoul-dered devil. " Ah ! I know who you mean," said the officer. "He is always getting into mischief. Orderly, call Tom." In a moment Tom entered, and stood all attention and straight as his natural build would allow, while not a trace of emotion was visible in his countenance. '•' Tom," said the officer," do you know this gentleman ?" "Ye-ye-yes, Sir." " Where did you ever see him before ?" " I—I—I," said Tom, stuttering awfully but regaining the grave expression natural to his face—" I di-di-dined with him yesterday." Tom was not punished. A