The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-01-06
VOLUME XXI.
Sfliseeaansous.
Poachers Arrested.

MT take City pounds in-'walnutsT'-No,
thank you--in hard cash for Il. Lots see
two hares, two brace Of pheasants, and q
wood pigeon, tesides your bag, and Im GER
tain We should have done twice as well II it
wasn't for the confounded poschers.
"By the way, old fellow" Said |. pass
ing, but previously taking toll from the de-
canter--"by the way, that last cock assured
ly belonged to my bag. Winged as he was,
Twas sure Of him, without your pouring that
second charge into the poor brute"
"Nonsense, man, he'd had gone clean OF
Such pieces as yours are we'll enough for par
fridge shooting; but for pheasant there's
nothing like breach-loader."
Now, knew from experience that my old
friend. Jack Raynshaw, would have his own
way IL I talked for an hour; so l made a
virtue of necessity, and gave him the dispu-
ted bird. which vas, on the whole, generous,
seeing that Jack had asked me down tor a
weeks shooting, and the bird in question |
was undoubtedly his own. probably hatched
on hen roost, fed ON the lawn. and certain
ly watched over with a. much, nay more,
care than any old chanticleer on the dunghill
SQUIRE Raynshaw wasa stsnch preserver, and
had been 50 ever since he came in for his un- !
cle's estate, aud left me the sole occupant OF
the second Hoor chambers in Gray's Inn.
But Jack was not bad fellow. In taking
prosperity TO his bosom he had done 80 with |
out letting it displace his heart; and irrspite
of certain amount Of egotism, and OF his
having taken a wife to preside over the Hall,
Jack was Jack still and many happy fort
night We spent together, talking over old
times after dinner. and keeping the ladies
waiting till out Of patience, whilst We, in q
happy state Of forgetfulness, discussing u
bottle Of nectar, which, glowing upon the
old mahogany table, sent tashing back the
light of the fire in spirit of independence
that seemed to say Ave not lain forty years
in bottle without having glow OF my own
that can put your evanescent light into the
shade"
Jack got up and poked the ERE into bright
or fit, and then made himselfa shadowed
and disappointed monster on the wa'nsco'
opposite by turning his back to the cheer
ful blaze, aud then tucking his coat tails un-
der his arms.
"Now, Bob, cheroot each, and then tea
and the ladies. All! il it wasn't Tor the
poachers there wouldn't be prettier bit OF
shooting for fifty miles round; there's no
such covers in the neighborhood. But be-
lieve those fellows OF mine are ours. Jones
has taken on new watcher this week who is
TO do wonders, but haven't seen him yet.
Hang 'em! don't think they're rogues, or
I'd say they were in league with some OF the
poaching yagabouds. However, set thief
TO catch u thief; I'll take on one of the
biggest poachers in the place and make him
keeper, for hang me il | like having my game
kept down in the way it has been. was
over at Stubblcton the other day, andl could
have sworn to one hare saw hanging at the
poulterer's. The beggar had no tail, and
I've seen It about the nine acres more than
once. But we'll have the creme de Ia creme
20 morrow, old boy. We haven't been to
Copse Corner yet and we'll have almost q
battle there. You must put stronger
charge in that gun Of yours, AID Ill give
YOU u few-what the deuce was that"
heard nothing, and said 80.
"I'll give you icw shots,-There again
By Jove, they're at it in the very place;
saving which Jack ratified down the shutters
and dang open the window. The wind
swspt nv in gusts, bearing with it the dry
leaves upon the gravel walk; the night was
as dark ~ a railway tunnel, and We stood
with our heads out tor few minutes atten-
lively listening was just going To drop
hint about his being mistaken when "bang
lang" went two guns, evidently at dis
tince os about three quarters oi mile from
where VIZ stood.
"ln my best preserve" roared the squire
"in the very place-hang EN-" Down
went the window. 81 II LEI em know.
Jingle. jingle, went the bell. "YouW come
with me, Bob"
"of course" saidI. "Bus what are you
going to do?' ,
"Goiug to do?" he re-echoed. "Why,
take the vagabonds, to DO sure. Here,
Thomson hs shouted to tho butler ; "my
shooting jacket and hat-my boots, too. he
roared alter the departing Mercury. "No;
never mind-hang the boots :"
In less than two minutes. we had slipped
on our shooting jackets and hats and Jack,
armed with constable's staff, and with u
keepers bludgeon. were on the point Of slip
ping out OF the front door when faint
scream arrested US; and upon turning round
we saw Mrs. Rayushaw and her sister at the
head of the stairs The news had assembled
70 the drawing .room, anda scene was impen-
ding but Jack rushed up to his cara sposa;
and amid torrent OF expostulations and ex-
pressions OF fear heard him keep up u run
ming fre of "No danger-keepcrs-p Of
be,p-constables agabonds-quiet-
care of myself" &c.; and . few moments al
Ter we were Of at doublequick'uarch over the
lawn, when the darkness compelled us to re-
duce that speed to walk. We heard anoth,
or shot from the same direction as We issued
from the front door. and then all was silent,
with the exception Of our hurried footballs rs
we hsteucd on, having. on my part,
enough to keep up with my companion
Our route was very dark. and rendered none
the more agreeable BY our having TO squeeze
through an occasional hedge. or torse our
way through plantation, clothed as we were
about the lower extremities in dress-boot and
trowsers. However, We pushed on till we
came TO what seemed TO DO an extensive oak
plantation. where Jack began to reconnoitrc.
lie stopped at intervals to listen, but the
whptling and moaning OF the wind through
the half bare trees were the only sounds that
greeted our ears. Lets 20 round by the
other side, }" he whispered ut last, "and then
we can head them towards the village. and
10 cut OF their retreat. almost wish now
that had sentdowu to the lodge and brought
ON Jones and tho watcher. and then weshould
hsyo been sure Of them.' ..yfc-
$50 do T." said I, lacouically. -.
"Eh! why, you're not afraid, are your
"Oh, no; / can't say I'm afraid" ! re.
p,ied. ..but I don't much like the job;"