The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-10-10
4 Shooting Exploit Of sheridan.

Tom Sheridan used to tell a story for
and against himself, which we shall take
leave to relate.
He was staying at Lord Craven's, at
Benham, (or rather Hampstead, and
one day proceeded on a shooting excur-
sion, like Hawthorn, with only ''his dog
and his gum on foot, and unattended
by companion or keeper; the sport was
bad-the birds few and shy--and he
walked and walked in search of game,
until unconsciously he entered the do
main of some neighboring squire. A very
short time after, he perceived advancing
towards him, at the top of his speed, a
jolly, comfortable-Iooking gentleman,
followed by a servant, armed, as it ap-
peared, for conflict. Tom took up n
position. and waited the approach Of the
enemy. 'hoti'i.i i- ."7. " q.
"Hallo! you sir" said the squire,
when within half-earshot, "what are you
doing here, sir, eh;" "ati -
I'm shooting, SIR said Tom.
'sDo YOU know where you are sir:"
said the squire. ..sJ a. ....s
81 am here, sir" said Tom.
"Here, sir!" said the squire, growing
angry, "and do you know where here
is, sir:-these sir, are my manors; what
dye think ofthat, sir, ch:"
"Why, sir, as to your manners, said
Tom, ri can't say they seem over agree
able" .'.'..... .,-. 0-..
81 don't want any jokes, sir, " said the
squire; 81 hate jokes. Who are you,
sir-what are you;"
"Why, sir" said Tom, "my name is
Sheridan-I am staying at Lord Cra-
ven 81 have come out for some sport
Il have not had any, and am not aware
that | am trespassing."
"Sheridan!" said the squire, cooling
a little, "oh, from Lord Craven's eh:-I
Well, sir, l could not know that, sir
L"
'No, sir" said Tom, 'but you need
not have been in passion" sn .
Not in passion, Mr.. Sheridan!"
said the squire; 'you don't know, sir,
what these preserves have cost me, and
the pains and trouble have been at
with them; it's all very well for you to
talk, but ifyou were in my place, should
like to know what you would say upon
such an occasion" - da
"Why, sir" said Tom, elf were in
your place, under all the circumstances,
should say-I am convinced, Mr.. Sher-
idan, you did not mean to annoy me
and as you look good deal tired, per-
haps you'll come up to my house and
take some refreshment - H3
The squire was hit hard by this nom
chalance, and (as the newspers say '.it
is needless to add" acted upon Sheri-
dams suggestion. '...r, I
$50 far" said poor Tom, ''the story
tells for me-now you shall hear the Sc
quel." ua 1,n'
After having; regaled himself at the
squere's house, and having said FIVE hun
lred more good things than he swallow
ed; having delighted his host, and more
han half won the hearts Of his wife and
daughters, the sportsman proceeded on
lis return homewards. ,.es sl Il
In the course of his walk he passed
trough farm yard; in the front Of the
arm-house was a green, IN the centre
,fwhich was pond-in the pond were
lucks innumerable, swimming and div
ng; on its banks a motley group Of gall
ant cocks and pert partlets. picking and I
eeding--the farmer was leaning over
he hatch Of the barn, which stood near
wo cottages on the side Of the green.
Tom hated to 60 back with an empty
'ag; and having failed in his attempts at
higher game, it struck him as a good {
oke to ridicule the exploits Of the day
'imself, in order to prevent any one else I
rom doing it for him; and he thought ]
o carry home aicertain number of the q
Domestic inhabitants Of the pond and its {
icinity, would serve the purpose admi- 1
ably. Accordingly, up he goes to the 1
armer, and accosts him very civiIly--
"My good friend" says Tom, .'I'n /
make you an Offer 31 ~ e
"Ofwhat, sirs" says the farmer. Ia
"Why," replies Tom, 81 have been y
ut all day tagging after birds, and hav- /
4 had shot ueryy ,,r.tl, m, sl,,~xA 1. - 4