The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-01-23
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
WHOLE NUMBER 1874.
Tom Sheridan out Shooting.

! Fch ;, al DcHlatl (or ratncr hamnStead,)
and one day proceeded on shooting ex-
cussion, like Hawthorn, with only 'his dog
and his gun" on foot and unattended by
companion Or keeper; the sport was bad
the birds few and sl,y-and he walked
and walked in search Of game, until uncon-
sciously he entered the domain of some
ncighboring squire. A very short time af-
ter, lie prcccivcd advancing towards him at
the top of his speed, a jolly, comfortable
gentleman, followed by servant, armed, as
it appeared, for conflict. Tom took up
position, and waited the approach of the
enemy. "IIallo! you sir" said the squire,
when within half ear shot; "wl,at are you
doing here, sir, ch? "I'm shooting, sir"
said Tom. "Do you know where you are,
sir ?" said the squire. "I'm here, sir" said
Tom. "lIcrc, sir" said the squire, growing
angry; "and do you know where here is,
sir ?-thesc, sir, are my manols; what dye
think of that, sir, ch 2" "Why, sir, as to
your manners" said Tom. 81 can't say they
seem over-agrceable" 81 don't want any
jokes" said the squire; "l hate jokes. Who
are you, sir-what are you?" "Why,
sir" s;,il Tom, "mv name is Sheridan-I
am staying at Lord Craven's-I have come
out for some SPORT have not had any,
and am not aware that am trespassing"
"Sheridan y said the squire, cooling little,
cob, from Lord Cravcn's, eh? Well, sir, I
could not know that, sir-I-" "No, sir"
said Tom, 'hut you need not have been in
passion" "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 if you
were i'll my place, should like to know
what You would say upon such an occasions 2"
"Why, sir" said Tom, IF I were in your
place, under all the circumstances, should
say, am convinced. Mr. Sheridan, you did
not mean to annoy me and as you look
good deal tired, perhaps you'll come up to
my house and take some rcfreshment." Tho
squire was hit hard by this nonchalance, and
(as the newspapers say) it is needless to add,
acted upon Shcridan's suggestion. $50 far"
said poor Tom, ",he story tells for me, now
you shall hear the sequel" After having
rcgalcd himself at the sqnire's house, and
having said five hundred more good thigs
than he swallowed; having delighted his
host, and more than half won the hearts of
his wife and daughters, the sportsman pro-
cccded on his return homcwards. In the
course Of his walk, he passed through a
farm-yard; in front of the farmhouse was
green, III the center Of which was pond,
in the pond were ducks innumerable SWIM
ming and diving; on its verdant banks
motley group Of gallant cocks and pert
pullets, were feeding; the farmer was lean
ing over the latch Of the barn, which stood
near two cottages on the side of the green.
Tom hated to go back with an empty bag
and, having failed at his attempts at higher
game, it struck him as good joke to ridi-
cule the exploits of the day himself, in or
der to prevent any one else from doing it
for him; and he thought that to carry home
ants Of the pond and its vicinity would
serve the purpose admirably.
Accordingly, up he goes to the farmer,
and accosts him very civily. "My good
friend" says Tom, "I'll make you an offer"
"Of what sir 2" says the farmer. "Why,"
replies Tom, I've been out all day tagging
after birds, and havn't had shot Now,
both my barrels are loaded should like
to take home something what shall give
You to let me have a shot with each barrel
at those ducks and fowls-I standing here
and to have whatever kill? "What
sort of a shot are you 2" said the farmer.
"Fairish!" said Tom, "fairish!" "And to
have all you kill ?" said the farmer, "eh q"
Exactly So" said Tom. "iIah guinea"
said the farmer. "That's too mucl," said
Tom. all tell YOU, what III do, III give
you a scven-shiling piece, which happens to
he all the money have in my pocket"
"Wcll," said the man, "hand it over" The
payment was ma,le. Tom, true to his bar
gain, took lhs post by the barn-door, and
let fire will, one barrel and then with the
other, and such 1uarking and aplashing,
and screaming and fluttering, had never
been seen inrhat place before. Away ran
Tom, and, delighted ut his success, picked
up first hen, then chicken, then fished
out dying duck or two, and so on, until
he numbered eight head of domestic game,
with which his bag was nobly distended.
Those were right good shots, sir" said the
farmer. "Ycs," said Tom, "eight ducks and
fowls were more than you bnrgained for, old
fellow-wor'h more, / suspect, than seven
shilings-eha" "Why, yes" said the man,
scratching his head, 81 think they be;
but what do care Hr that ? Mey are none
Of M"m mine !" ''IIerc," said Tom II
was for once in my life beaten, andv,nade
off as fast ms could, for fear ssKe right own.
er Of my game might make bis appearance,
not but that I could have given tile fellow
that took me in seven, ti,nes % smucin as
did, for his cunning and coolnsss.
nj