Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1913 — WERE COMRADES AT DINNER [ARTICLE]

WERE COMRADES AT DINNER

Rufus’ Claim to Acquaintanceship With British General Had Actual Foundation. . After peace was declared in the War of 1812, Rufus Brown, a lank Vermonter, was waiting with the United States troops at Niagara Falls for orders to return home. Anxious to try a double-barreled gun he had just bought, Rufus obtained permission to cross over into Canada for a day’s shooting. But game was shy, and late in the afternoon, with his gun still untried, as he was returning disgustedly, a crow perched on a tree top not far from British headquarters, tempted him, and he brought it down with one barrel. The shot brought out a British general, who, as Rufus stooped to pick up the crow, said: “That’s a fine gun; will you let me see it?” Rufus handed him the gun, when the general, with sudden fire in his eye, said: “You scoundrel, you have shot my pet crow, and now you’ve got to eat It” Rufus explained, then stormed, then begged, but the general was mad, clear through, and would not let him off until three mouthfuls of raw crow had been gulped down. “There,” he said, handing back the gun, “that will teach you a wholesome lesson.” Rufus walked away two steps, wheeled sharply around, and leveling his gun at the general’s head, said: “Eat the rest of that crow.” The general, in turn, blustered and pleaded, but in vain; he bad to finish the unsavory meal. Next day Rufus was called to American headquarters. There he confronted the angry British general. "Rufus,” said his commanding officer, “this is General Forsythe; do you know him?” “Well,” drawled Rufus, with a twinkle in his eye, “we are sort of acquainted. We dined together yesterday.”