The Major's Hat

Many persons havo somo . an'.iquated nrliole'öf clothing or funiituro endeared to them by assooiatiou, and, which, though of no real valué, thoy jealously cherish. My aged fr end, Miijor Wond, was pnitial to a " white hai,' which he had worn for several years. Tho Major was somewhat passionate and ha8ty in his proceedings, and sufiered the usual fute of persons who are qnick to anger, in being of'ten provoked by jokers. As he lived in the country and was fond of ''good thiugs," ho kept quite a kirge stock of poultry. An owl in bis neighborhood, also appreciated the fine condition of his chickens, and frequently feasted on the plutnpest of the flock. The old gent vowed vengeance on said owl, and procuring a musket, cbarged it with an unusunl quantity of powder, follnwed by a largo handful of slugs, and then setting it behind thu door, patiently awaited the coming of the enerny. Not long after this belligerent attitude was assume'd, the major, while smoking his last pipe, before going to bed, was rcused by a boisterous tumult among the fowls, atid before he could leave his chair, one of his boys, who had been out for a short time, ran in, exclaiming with great earnestnoss : " Here he ie, dad - here's the owl on the wellpole - let me shoot him, do." " Go long, you bloekhead, Pil fix the varmint ïayself, that I will," said the Major di.sdaiufully, as he took his formidable gun in hand and brought it to b'ear on the white object, whioh was pluinly enough to be ceen. A stunning roar was heard, and a bright flash mo ment;irily dispelled the darknoss, but the apparent owl sat finn as a knot on ;lieside of a tree. 0 " Did you ever see the like cf that ?" said the rnitjor, self-inquinogly. 'ïhe musket was so reloaded, and again discharged, but the owl was immovablo. A snspicion that something was #PfBg Hïished upon the major, so he sat down his gun, and going to the well drew down the poíe by the bucket rrpe; lo ! his favorito hat rent, as he expier-tsed it, "all to giblets," by thü doublé handful of slugs that had torn hrough it, The hopeful youth who had contrived he trap, and thns fr looked on with ;reat composure, now made a hasty re,reat and passed the remainder oí the night in the hay-mow.