The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-02

Lawrence in the midst seemed as eager
AS any, and question and reply passed to
and fro, interspersed with chuckling
asides that to Carr's comprehension sig
nifled mischief.
You won't miss us before we shall be
back" one of the young men said in re-
ply to her questioning.
"Back in an honr, Miss Carr" called
another.
She caught the words GLORIOUS fun"
Magnificent show about half mile
from here" "We'l show YOU, Law
renee" ''There amt any sport like it
anywhere else on either continent
''Got a bag, Burdon?"
Carr gave little cry.
You're gallant set of gentlemen!-
Girls" she called to the others, cts not
TO be permitted, is it? They're going
out sniping."*
This way, boys, quick now"
Some one had got the door open, and
in the midst of Carr's eagar remonstrance
they were gone.
She looked after them, chagrined, an
noyed, but smiling in spite of herself.
Opinions were divided among the
company that remained behind, some
glad, others the opposite, but all more or
less smiling, whether they would or no.
cts sport for all seasons" good old
Father Day pronounced. The merry
making CHANGED to be at Father Days.
II never seed the ar too hot or too cold
fur s,aipin." But Jest ter think o. Lar
renee holdin' that ar bag with his pur-
ty hans, an waitin' an waitin' fur
them long-billed creetus to come down
an hop into it"
He went Off into a resounding burst Of
laughter, and the rest joined him.
The sniping party meanwhile mounted
their horses and rode swiftly away across
the prairie. It was midWinter. There
was no snow upon the ground, but
sharp, cold wind was blowing, and Law
renee thought that was the longest half
mile he ever travelled, though his COM
paniOns enlivened the way with blood
stirring descriptions of the sport they
were in search of. One assured him that
at this season the snipes were plenty as
blackbirds, and another tried to givehim
an idea how to hold the bag.
Lawrence ventured mildly to suggest
that he should think they the snipes)
would find it rather cold.
''That's just it, Burden said; .they
fairly cram the sloo for shelter and |
reckon from the way the wind is, we shall
make a night of it this time"
Arrived at the sloo, Burden and Law
renee We're stationed at the lower eX- |
tremity with the bag, which was simply |
an eX-fish-net-a very dilapidated one, |
too-and the rest wentup the sides of the |
slOo to beat up the birds. Presently they |
sent back for Burden or Lawrence to
come and help. There were so many
birds they couldn't manage them, and
one was enough for the bag, anyway
After an instant's consultation, it was
decided that Burden should go, as Law
renee was curious to see how the snipes
entered the snare; and, giving him very
particular directions about managing the
old tish-net, and securely fastening his
own end SO as to leave a wide mouth,
Burden left him with a last exhortation
not to get impatient, the birds some
times took it into their heads to be shy
as the mischief.
Lawrence heard them soon beating the
bushes and shouting wildly, now APP
preaching, and now receding, approach
ing and receding by turns, he splicing
his patience and mentally wondering
where the fun was, till his hands grew
too numb to hold the bag longer, and 81
lence reigned.
Even then, SO had affairs been man.
aged, he did not suspect that he had been
victimized; but muttering that he'd a
mind to go back to the house, and leave
them to bag their own game, he set out
to find his horse, which had been left a
short distance back, with the rest But
neither horse nor horses could he find,
and, family surmising, at last, the true
state of affairs, he set out on his home
ward journey, afoot, and for once, good
natured as he was, out of humOr.
Meanwhile, one of those almost fright
fully abrupt changes in the weather
which are peculiar to some portions of
The West had taken place, and Lawrence
had to step lively to keep from freezing.
The wind went through and through him
as though he had been bundle OF dry
bones, and the blood seemed to curdle at
his very heart'score. He had lost his long
ltude entirely, and knew no more whith-
err he was going than n rudoerless ship.
East, West, North, Sonth, whichever
way Was which, he saw no light to bea-
con fim on, and the sky was a rack Of
hurrying clouds. Every now and then
the wind came with such force as to make
it difficult Tor him To keep his feet. He
began to wonder if people ever froze to
death on these prairies, and as he stag
gered on he has bewildering visions of
oh H. Il l,,,