The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-23

in his pleasant prison for another
twenty-four hours. ga foolish trick
that of yours, Mr.. Lechmere!" said
Mr.. Butler, suddenly, and with much
ill-temper; he had been thinking the
same as Carry and Walter, and chat
ing at the prospect of his enforced
hospitality, and this most untoward
rlvalship. "L have always heard YOU
boast of your horsemanship; not very
like good land. to throw your mare
and 1njure her, as it seems you have
done, most NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Dav
said, did lie not, Banks?" Eyes, sir. :"
said Banks, i'll his official voice. Il
was riding down hill, and she stcpped
on 4 loose stone" returned Walter
The ground was as hard as iron, you
know, sir, and as slippery as glass. "
And of course you were riding at a
break-neck pace!' sneered the host
''Wcll, confess was going a little
too hard for prudence answered
Walter, throwing his hair from off
his forehead
Did you meet tramp not far
from here?" presently asked Smith
Butler. NO, sir, I did not, Z" Walter
answered. 81 met only three men on
my way from The station only three
IN all the twelve miles; and they were
by no means pleasant looking triad,
L should say. But they were not in
my way, so l did not trouble myself
much about them" 'Three tramps
did you say? Bless my soul. that
makes four i'll one day! and Carlo is
just dcad!' cried Mr.. Butler. nn-
easily. sfCarlo dead! Poor old fell
low [ did not know that. When
did he die? and what did he die of?n
asked Walter. "Why, Caroline, did
you not tell Mr.. Lechmero that Carlo
was dead?" exclaimed Mr.. Butler.
peevishly. ''Bless my soul, what
were you thinking of, to be SO remiss
as not to tell him that remarkable
fact?" tHe was found dead in his
kennel this morning" said Garry
''He was quite we'll yesterday, and
heard him bark very much in the
night, and this morning he was
dead! ''Dear me, how very extra
ordinary simpercd George Grey.
'Most extraordinary" said Mr. But
ler, with emphasis II believe he
was poisoned, you know; and to-day
comes tramp about the place who
must have vanished into snow. I
think, for no one saw him 90 down
the garden, and YOU did not meet
him, you say, Mr. Lechmcrc; SO
where the deuce the fellow got to
cannot for the life Of mo imagine.
ooh! he has hidden himself in the
hay-loft for shelter, laughed Walter,
not particularly interested in the sub
Jcct. "Oh. has hep" said AIr. But
Ter, Srimly Banks, tell Day to
search the hay-loft this moment, and
come and tell me if any one is hid
den there or not. Better for him not
to be; that is all 1 Gu sav!' Eyes,
sir, . said Banks, and went into the
kitchen, where he and Day day was
coachman) had a good laugh at
''mastcr's fads'' over an extra pint
beyond their allowance, and then he
returned to the dinin ng-room and re-
ported Day as having ''gonc to sec;'
and in due time he reported him rs
having found the loft perfectly tc-
nantlcss. He had never stirred from
the kitchen fire; but that was of no
consequcncc-Mr. Smith Butler was
content; and looking across the table
TO Walter, said, snecringly, cone Of
your follIcs, as usual, Mr.. Lcchmcrc,
you Sect ''Not very unlikely.
though, sir, was it?'' said Walter.
laughing. Very unlikely indeed, |
should say, . snapped Mr.. Butler. Il
really gave way to the absurdity to
satisfy You; ] never thought it likely
myself . ''Thank you, sir" said
Walter, quite TRANQUILITY; and Carry
put III, 1t IS always better to slit
Things, If possible, without laughing.
CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT