Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-03-27

IL itsH linz ucul Oiu pu9 Wnilc esct
your pipe"
And so the matrimonial tiff ended -
But there was little uneasincss in Luke's
mind in spite of his reassnring words.
1t eventually appeared that the secret
amusement in which luke Dalton in
dulgcd was poaching. The companions
he was wont to meet at the village ale
house served to form baud Of which he
was the acknowledged leader. By-and-
by old Squire LAWS up at the house got
scent Of the depredations, and the guards
of the woods and the stubbe were dou-
bled The news of this move, while
filling Luke's companions with dismay,
gave the leader of the band unqualified
satisfaction
Now it really will be fun" he said,
when the tactics of LAWS we're explained
to him. 1--WE shall have chance of
row, but, mind, use your fists, my lads,
and leave your guns for the cartridges
and pheasants."
The lads seemed more inclined to leave
the affair altogether However, Luke
talked them over, and it was decided that
one last attempt to get some game should
be made on the Saturday following the
old squires announcement
Until the day arrived. Luke was less
cheerful than usual. In spite of the
questions of his wife he managed to keep
his secret, though had he made clean
breast of it to Fanny / could have been
saved the trouble of telling this story.
The Saturday at length arrived, and
Luke met his companions, as agreed, at
the LAWS Arms.
Now, my boys said he, 'you have
only got sticks, ch You have left your
guns at home ?"
eyes" replied fellow with hang
dog expression Of countenance, one VIM.
Smith, known by the uncomplimcntary
nick am of ''neaking Billy Eyes, we
have left EN- at home; but why have you
brought yours, Luke p
Because ] can trust myself, Billy,
but can't trust you"
Mr.. William Smith growled out an
oath, and slouched up to Luke with a
thr atening gesur,.
"Why can't you trust me ?"
because you're an ugly customer in
your cups, my man. We don't want any
murder tonight. :
'You mind what you say"
Il shun't mind you" rctorted Luke
:" You are not man enough to fight a fell
low in straight forward way"
- IN f,t,n rrol in,r ,, .,;nJ onntha, ,,,n,,
"Come, Luke he didn't mean any harm.
now did you. Billyy'
mot |. Only Luke will have his
joke, and he hits rather too hard some
times. Here, Luke, give US your fist,
and let's say no more about it.
with all my heart" said Dalton
stretching forth his hand
Billy took it and shook it but as he
turned away he murmured, ''Al right.
my fine fellow--I shall owe you one for
this, and yours is u debt | shall pay some
day"
The men took up their sticks, and,
headed by Luke carrying his gun, made
for the wood The band marched along
in silence. When they had arrived at
their destination they halted, and Luke,
having loaded his gun with shot, laid it
down beside him on the grass. Then
there was Il moment Of silence, and then
were heard the following words, spoken
in the wcll-known tones Of Squire LAWS;
you had better surrender There's ten
Of us, and you're only five. Come quiz
city, and you shan't be hurt"
Il am afraid we must run for il lads, ["
sang out Luke. "Let us bolt"
At that moment there was a scnflc be-
tween two men, and then the gun was
seized and fired, and the man who had
fired it followed his companions 50 quick
", that it was impossible to distinguish
him from the rest.
This is very serious, "sald the Squire,
bending over the bleeding body Of the
gamekeepcr "Wbo did it 2"
"Herc's the mans gun, sir,D said
servant picking up the still smoking
fowlng piece.
DO you know whose it is y asked
the Squire.
Yes, sir" I recognized it at once. II
belongs to Luke Dalton"
Luke Dalton" echoed the Squire. -
"Why | thought he was such steady
.man. Dear, dear, this is very sad But
now you had better take Burrows to the
nearest cottage, and send at once for Dir.
Harvey"
burrows doesn't want surgeon"
whispered one OF the gamekcepers "Thc
poor fellows dead"
Luke Dalton was arrested on q charge
Of murder. IL was his gun that was
found on the night Of the poaching af-
fray, and it was his voice that was heard
in reply to the old mans summons. You
may imagine the despair Of his wife, poor
creature; no words Of mine can picture
her misery.
A few days after Dalton had been COM
mitted by the magistrates, and sent to
the town Jail, he received visitor in the
person of Lawyer Angel. The attorney
began
This is bad business, Dalton, but |
must make the best Of it for you"
81 am innocent, sir, said Luke.
"Neyer mind whether you are inno-
cent or not, my man. The question is
whether | can save you from being hang
ed. What evidence have you to oGer?'
Then Luke told his story.
"Who was with you on the night Of
the difficulty ?" The lawyer avoided the
word "nurder" in Difference to his eli
= ~ Al.