Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-09-17


embassy, that "he was good for nothing
else." In home affairs Mr.. Haughmond
was supremely satisfied with his own do
ings. Popular as a sportsman; passion
ate but kind as a master and landlord as
a magistrate, dealing out rough-and- ready
Justice; obstinate as pig.
Squire Haughmond found his bosom
friend, the Rev. Mr.. Downes, vicar of the
parish, and perpetual curate of Potcote as
well, dismounting from a smart, crop
tailed cob in the stable-yard.
The friends shook hands across the
colts broad back.
"Well, Squire"
"Well, parson."
"The wind shifted sou'west as / was
riding home last night There'll be heav
enly scent to-day"
"Its the best scenting day we've had
for month, in my opinion. We shall
have a run-mark me. I'm going to draw
Windmill Gorse first, and haven't drawn
that blank six times in thirty years"
Having given his directions about the
horses for the days sport Mr.. Haughmond
led the way to the kennels. At the end oi
a walk bordered on either side by high
laurels was an ivied archway, guarded by
two stone foxes; behind it were the quar-
ters of the pack.
. here the Squire was quite in a con.
genial element His hounds were deserv.
ing of their widespread fame
Come How's your appetizer" said
the Squire, when his labors were ended
Its time to think about breakfast"
I'm your man." was the ready re.
sponse.
"Tell you what il is, Jack Downes, you
fellows at Elliot's last night won more OF
me than l thought. l could not make my
money right by half guinea this morn.
ing"
II did not have it, I'll swear to that
protested the parson.
"You won, though, know. Never
knew you to lose. You've the best luck
of any man l ever knew, and I've the
worst
" AT cards, Squire. Only at cards"
"At everything. Look here, now
Last week lost mare worth 400 guin-
cas- if she's worth a brass farthing, and
her foal and all. And now, here's Georgy
refuses when offer her to young Elliot
But she shall have him. I've made up
my mind to that. l told the old boy SO
after you left last night. Your son and
my son-in-law,' l said, clapping the young
one on the back. ! always have liked the
Elliots. They're the right strain. The
lad runs like good straightforward fox
that knows his country-bred in it-nOnC
of your Leadenhall bag gentlemen. Goe:
out of the room and writes it all out in
black and white there and then. That's
what like; and put the letter in my
pocket. She shall have him."
Talking in this strain the two sports.
men found their way into the dining.
room.
The Squire planted himself with his
broad back TO the fireplace, in which the
logs were just Frightening into blaze.
Two greyhounds, who had long since said
good-by to slips and stakes, lay dosing on
the hearth so comfortably that they hardly
cared to lift an eyelid or wag tail for
their master. A pure-bred bulldog 6ccu.
pied the place of honor, aud lazily at the
terriers following closely on their master s
heels. Everything about the place was
pure, from breeders point of view.
The table was laid for breakfast, and
was spread with substantial fare. The
parson seated himself one yard from the
cloth, cut the tip off a tongue, pared il
into slices of wafer.like thinness, and ate
them meditatively.
The Squire reverted to the topic OF
young Elliot's proposal.
"Shes as obstinate as a mule; but I'll
let her see before I've done with her"
"Women are the doOse," said the Rev
John Downes, who was a bachelor"
"They are and so was her mother,
said the Squire ungrammatically and by
way of response.
The parson poised a thin slice of the
tongue on the point of his knife and gave
an asserting grunt.
"Look how that girl can rider con
tinued the father; what hands she's got
what an eye she's got, and what judge
ment! Haven't brought her up to hounds
ever since she could say FOrrard ?'' AnC
what for, l should like to know. NJ,
First Whip l should like to see MAJ
that's up to the work like she is.'
"She's a clinker at her fences-an,
mortal thing. love to see her take tim
bert said the parson soothingly."
"Shes my daughter, Downes," said tn
Squire, " And there's young Elliot" h
added, and everything that / have al
WAYS made up my mind to. And the oil
Dickey on his fore legs" said hi
"Ay that's the word. We are al
mortal; and his land marches field fo
field and fence for fence with mine goo
two mile and half here, to say nothing
all the Killick property. But Georgian
runs quiet in double harness before thi
year's out, take my word for it, or m
names not Gilbert Haughmond."
"Girls are nation deal of trouble.
| ho1 haA ahilHrata I Shnpl1 hoyn lilo
| boys"
$50 should l." said the Squire. "Br
I'm not tied. What's mines my own, an
l can leave my land to Dick Cutpurse if
| like. No Wiltons shall ever have an inc
of it. 1 don't know which | hate mos
your brother that | was fool enough
give my other living to, and then be bei
by him at the assiZes, or old Jack Wilton.
They're a pretty pair of scoundrels
said the parson, in whom love of card
foX-hunting and good eating outweighe
fraternal afiection-by tons
And it's that mans Mohock of SO
that my daughter must gallop after fu
cryl Very prettyI'
Mr.. Haughmond expressed what r
manned of his feeling upon this matter |
pulling the bulldogs tail till he Shove
all MS leetn.
The bell in the stable-yard had Just doI
ringing for halfpast eight. The dinini
room door opened and the butler mac
his appearance, carrying two large an
foaming flagons of October, holding
good three pints each, one of which he 5
down before his master and the other b
fore Mr. Downes. He was followed by s
or eight other servants, male and femal
with that dropping carriage and dOwnca
expression which meant prayers a centul
ago and means prayers now.
Prayers 2" said the parson.
"Yes, be hanged TO 'em," said Il
Squire, referring, am happy to say n,
TO the prayers-an institution of churC
and State-but to the Wilton family. /
took comfortable pull at the ale al
then composed himself in his easy-cha
for devotion. On all hunting-days
which at Haughmond Hall were thr
days week from the 26th of July to Il
Sd or 4th of May-the parson breakfast'
with his friend the Squire. Advantal
was accordingly taken on these morning
of the presence of a clergyman, and III
4 Il. :.