Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-16

underwood, sloping down with an easy descent
to Thorley Bottom. Through this copse a lihe
winds and energies into the lower common,
where Squire Tasborough with his huntsmen;
hounds, and merry men all, the greater part Oh
them in scarlet coats and velvet caps, were as
sembled, the former already triumpning over
the Major, in the anticipated certainty OF WIN
ming his wager. "What" lie exclaimed, "do
you think old square-toes would turn out win
mist falling, and run the risque OF damplng
his drab CATERS! No, no, Major-your cone
this time-eased of your ten guineas-l WISH
it had been thousand"
"Tasborough" said the major, quietly put
ting his glass to his eve, "your sight is better
than mine, what do you make that ora 10 De-
lowering along the copse?" "Hang me i'll can
tell" replied the Squire; 'sflies like wounded
crow-can't see for the mist " The object IN
question was no other than the Alderman hat,
tied down with pocket handkerchief, ana pop.
ing occasionally above the hedge as he logged
down the lane at the extremity OF which ne
presented himself mounted on grey poney
followed by his servant on coach horse, bear
ing a large umbrella A general shout, IN
which the Squire's voice was loudest, burst from
the whole field at the sight of this grotesque
apparition whose approach was greeted by
loud cry of Yoicks, Tally no! and a signal was
made to the huntsman to wind his horn, by
way of completing the eelat Of his reception
But old Chervil, who had no idea of joke
that interfered with serious business, shook
his head exclaiming, "No, not when we are
lust going to throw into cover, she may start
away t'other side for the four ponds, and so
get among the rush beds, and keep us lodging
Ia. m
do it hundred times.
By this time the Alderman had come up,
hopping his chest, arms, and long cloth CATERS
with his handkerchief, and having sprsd out his
umbrella he exclaimed, "Make 1t rule 10 see
every thing once in my life, MIR. Tasborough;-
never went hunting afore;-s'pose shant
90 now, for Of course you won't go in the rain
no hackney coach to pop into-Gon'l object
to the country when the sun shines-but moth
ing like London in wet weather" "My good
Sir'' replied the Squire, nothing could be
more favourabe-a beautiful drizzle, and just
enough TO make the scent life--bu, your warm"
|" Az, ay," cried Major Cunningham, he'll be
warmer by the time he's in a, the DEATH" "No,
no, Ma or'' resumed the squire, speaking so as
not TO be overheard, "I'm safe enough the re, for
that pot-beled pony will be blown in ten mi
nutes, So shall only lose fifty, and that's more
than the old coager's worth, TO take him as he
sits. umbrella, clothes, pony, CATERS and ALL
The object Of these remarks now formed
the centre of gaping circle, the real knowing
ones "twigging him properly" with quiet
sheer, or sly wink TO direct one another's eyes
TO the various heresies Of his appointment; while
few farmers assembled in krot at a little
distance, with their ragged ponies touching
noses, and dosing and nodding at one another,
unanimously agreed that "for gemman and a
-..anisraan, i,.Ayeres all 10 pothing the FUNNIEST
turn out ever they iced. In a rev minurrs q
breeze sprang up, the.sun burst forth, the mist
disappeared. and as fresh sportsmen rose up
from the hollow behind the ridge Of the COM
mon, and stood Gut in full relief against blue
sky, while their horses came neighing and paw
ing down the slope, there were numerous bets as
to the identity of each individual, for genuine
son OF the turf never loses the opportunity OF
| awager.
"Do you think she'll make for the Downs?"-
said the Squire, addressing spare, elderly.
half dried huntsman, with streaky patch OF
red upon either cheek, that gave him the APP
pearance Of a winter apple.
"Lord love you sir, how can you dream OF her
running smack into the wind? No; she uelther
run upon SIDE, or 80 right down the Wihd W,
wards Chippendale, or the watermi!ls. Spread
yourselves wide gentlemen, and don't bea, the
bushes where the water lies, but keep the dogs
higher up, or we shall only have measly hare,
tina, will keep US crossing all day in the puddles
and FLASHES. But, harkye, there's challenge
there's Lightfoot giving tongue, who's new
or wrong: you had better mount, gentlemen, we
shall have her oct presently" And scarcely
were the words uttered, when out jumps d fine
hare, and scampers away over Thorley Bottom
the huntsman winds his horn, the whole field
gives the view hola! the hounds come up, and
the whole pack, as they burst away, set up
loud simultaneous and sonorous cry, the cheer
full melody Of which is waited by the wind osel
the startled plains, meads, and woodlands
awhile echo on high
Gi,esreply to the cry,
AS If they were chasing hare through the sky,
Unable to keep up with the speed Of tie frs
burst, the Alderman Quilted the melee, cutting
across the country, in the direction OF the dogs
and rejoning the hunt after short ramblc, up
: on newly ploughed field, where the Whole part,
,ara Uat fanI, HIt,s this n1on ph.d field vhe n