The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-05-11

lrailons, Whlch were SNOWY aud effective N thtIr
lcharaeter, enough to make the White House
a nine days wonder to the good people of
bartord. The slate colored paiGts became
Irink, and were picked out gold; the old fash
Iioned bannisters we're replaced by newly gilt
ZONES; but above all. the stables were q sight
Ito be seen. Since the days of the Roman
Emperor never was there such provision made
for the care, the comfort and the health Of
lhorses. But every one said it was no wonder.
when they were led through Barford, covered
to their eyes, but curping their arched and
delicate neeks and prancing with short high
steps. in repressed eagerness. Only one groom
icame with them; jet they req hired the care of
three men. Mr.. Higgins however, preferred
engaging two lads ont of Barford; and Barford
highly approved of bis preference Not only
was it kind and thoughtful to give employ
ment to the loungipg lads themselves but
they were receiving such a training in Mr.
Higgins stables as might fit them for Dopcas-
ter or Newmarket. The district of Derby
shire 10 which Barford was situated was too
close to Leicestershire not TO support hunt
and pack of hounds. The master of the
hounds was certain Sir Harry Manley, who
was out a huntsman autnuilus. He measured
a man by the lepgth of his fork not by the
depression of his countenance or the shape of
bis head. But as Sir Harry was wont to OBJ
serve, there was such thing as too long a
fork. SO his appreciation was withheld until he
had seen man on horseback; and if his seat
There was square aud easy, his hand light, and
his courage good, Sir Harry hailed him as q
lbrother. sf5 -ss s.s.az.-.-F Z, ss 4.,... -
Mr.. Higgins attended the first meeting of the
season, not as subscriber. but as an ameteur.
The Barford huntsmen piqued themselves on
their bold riding; and their knowledge of the
country came by nature; yet this new strange
man. whom nobody knew,was in at the death
sitting Oh his horse, both well breathed and
calm, without q hair turned on the sleek skin
of the latter, supremely addressing the old
Ihuntsman as he hacked off the tail of the fox;
and he, the old man, who was testy even under
Sir Harrys slightest rebuke, and few out on
any member Of che hunt who dared to utter
word against his sixty years experience as
stable-boy, groom, poacher, and what not-he,
old Isaac Wormeley, was meeksy listening to
the wisdom of the stranger, only now and then
giving one of bis quick, up turning, cunning
glances, not unlike the sharp, DER caEny looks
of the deceased Reynard round whom the
hounds were bowling, unadmonished by the
short whip, which was now tucked into
Wormeleys well. worn pocket. When Sir
Harry rode into the copse--full of dead
brushwood and wet tangled grassland was
folio we'd by the members of the hunt. as one
Iby one they captered past. Mr. Higgins tool
off his cap and bowed-half deferentially, hall
linsolently-with lurking smile in the corner
of his eye at the discounted looks of one Of
two of the laggards. "A famous r,n, SIR sale
lSir Harry. The first time you have hunted
in our county, hut hope we shall see you of
Eten.'
4 hope to become member of the hunt, sir,
said Mr.. Higgins.
Most happy-proud. I'm sure, to receiv,
Chopper Gate, fancy; while some of on
friends here'-scowling at one or two coward
by the way of finishing his speech. e How M
to introduce myself-master of the hounds
he fumbled in his waistcoat pocket for tn
card on which his name was formally in ,cribed
Some of our friends here are kind enough t.
come home with me to dinner; might ask fo
the honor p
Name is Higgins replied the sti ange,
bowing low. . I am only lately come to oe
cupy the White House at Barford, ind
have not yet presented my letters of intl odue
ton
Hang it replied Sir Harry; a man wit
seat like yours, and that good brush in you
hand, might ride up to any door in the &C unit
q am Leicestershire mani, and be well ON
guest. Mr.. Higgins, ! shall be proud to b,
come better acquainted with you over N
dinner table,
Mr.. Higgins knew pretty well how to IN
prove the acquaintance thus begun. He oil
sing good song, tell good story, and ".
well up in practical jokes; with plenty of til,
keen worldly sense, that seems like an instn
in some men, and which in this case taugl
him on whom he might play off suck jok
with impunity from their resentment and wi,
a security of applause from the more boiste
ous vehement or prosperous At the end
twelve months Mr.. Robinson Higgins ws
out and out, the most popular member of Ba
ford hunt. had beaten all the others by
, couple of lengths, as his first patron, Sir Hi
ry, observed one evening when they were jr
| leaving the dinner table of an old hunti
squire in the neighborhood.
t Because You know said Squire Heal
: holding Sir Harry by the button me
r you see. this young spark is looking sweet I
! on Catherine; and she's good girl, and v
a have ten thousand pounds down the day sh
r married, by her mothers will; and-excv
= me, Sir Harry-hut should not like my
It to throw herself away
= Though Sir Harry had long ride beft
d him, and but the early and short light of
D. new moon to take it in, his kind heart was
81 touched by Squire Hearns trembling, tear
e anxiety, that be stopped, and turned back ii
'e the dining room to say, with more asseve
ID tions than care to give: ~,
ID My good Squire, / may say l know Il
man pretty well by this time; and better
ne low never existed. If had twenty dau
I'd ters he should have the pick of them'
es Squire Hearn never thought of asking
1t grounds for his old friends opinion of