Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-09-19

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about everything-and the dogs were lei
loose.
My father stationed me inside little
wood, and gave me the usual instructions
How was TO watch both paths before me-
how was to aim at the rabbit as soon us
might see one; yet not fire if the dog,
were too close to him, but above all, | was
to stay still on the spot where re had sta.
toned me until | heard his recall signal
lie felt sure should follow his instruc.
tlon, and, relying on my usual obedience
he took his gun and placed himself ut q
distance out of my range,
had been waiting about three minutes
when the dogs rcappearcd on the path be-
fore me, and II moment after rabbit
which appeared to me of very unusual
size, broke cover about ten PAGES to my
left lie sprang over the little footpatl
with one bound, and got away with the
dogs after him. while Inever once thought
of taking aim at him! What fool haG
been felt so when l could no longer
see him.
But the voices of the dogs again aroused
me with that bark which is music to 4
sportsman's ears; the rabbit reappearef
but at some little distance, and ran along
the path directly away from where I was
standing. | rushed ont after him. He
heard me and turned off into the bushes
followed him over roots and stumps and
broom and heather without taking my
eyes off of him. He paused. raised my
gun took aim and fired. He was gray be.
fore fired but white afterwards, for he
fell upon his back with his belly in the air
The next thing saw was my father lean
ing against a tree about six yards behin(
my victim. had killed the rabbit almost
between my dear fathers legs!
At that moment my delight at my sue
cess overpowered every other feeling.
sprang on the dead rabbit like young
savage, and waving it above my heaC
cried
"Oh, papa, it was my first shotp'
1t is very well to be II good shot" he
answered, with what afterwards appeared
to me forced smile, " but you ought tC
have obeyed me. If you had staid where
| had stationed you. you would have run
no risk of hitting me-
"Oh, I hope have not hurt you!'
No, no, my son, but another time be
more careful"
His face looked pale. | stopped down
and saw some rents in one leg of his pant
alOons.
Good heaven, dear papa Can I have
hit you9 see something like shot holes y
4" Look at your own pantaloons. They
are torn us much as mine."
That was true, and l felt reassured Il
once.
The terriers. Waldo and Woldina, a(te
crying to worry the dead body of my game
were on another scent, and waited will
great impaticncc till my father should loat
my gun again. -,
" Come my boy, let us 60" he said
lyon have done enough for the first time
Wen come back and have some more of i
one of these fine days, please Cod"
He whistled for the dogs went back t,
our gig without lmping very pefceptibl,
and drove homewarl. observed that h'
got out with some difficulty, and that hi
left leg seemed TO drag after him.
" Something hurts you, dear para"
said.
He made no answer-only told me ,rath
er abruptly, to put the guns away, an,
went up slowly to his own chamber.
My brother and sisters came running #
know if had had any good luck, ant
were delighted when they saw my rabbit
But felt to anxious to be able to enio
their satisfaction, and all the time wa
looking round me with one eye, and listen
ing to every sound in the passage. | saw
our old cook, Gredcl, come out, and Il fey
moments after saw Dr.. Maginn 90 in
He looked in Il hurry and ran up stair
without noticing us children. He wa
there still when our supper was served
and | suppose he left while we were at tn
table. Our dear mother came down to III
as calm and sweet us usual, but she look
ed anxious and pale.
Papa is not hungry and does not car
for tea" she said i" He is IL little tireC
and not very well. But it will pass off il
IL few days. Come and kiss him befor
you 90 to bed tonight as usual"
My heart was very full. could hardl
eat any supper. kept furtively watch
ing my dear mothers face, dreading t.
read my condemnation in her eyes. Blu
she did not seem disposed to be dispease
with me, and she stlid at the table Ohoug
with some impatience, thought,) till ou
youngcst-my little brother finished hi
last mouthfu.
As soon us our napkins were folded sh
ran up to my fathers room to see if W
m ghtcome in and called to us over til
stairs
Come up and say good night I
, papa"
got up first, thanks to my long leg'
He was lying on his back, proppcd up b.
, three pillows. But he did not look yer
badly.
kissed him, trying not to cry, an
whispered:
Dear, papa, please tell me that l di
| not hit you"
, Frank" he replied, you are goo
! boy, and | love you Good night. That
all have to say to YOU
, The little ones who had followed me bt
| gan to climb up on his bed, rs they ofte
. did in the morning, in their night gowns
, Take care" he said. You'll hui
: my leo. I've got the rheumatism
!, But could not believe in such suddc
and violent attack of sickness he ha
G never suffered rom before looked a
l around the room trying to see somethin
, that might show me how it was. BY Il
| light of the chamber candle | perceive
= his pantaloons They had been hung Il
+ near window, and Eancied that one lie
was cut all the way down, | had NJ
a time TO verify this observation, for III
). mother, no doubt seeing what was loo)
n ing at. closed the curtains.
g You may easily imagine what an anX
e Gus night it was. AS often us | closed II
g eyes fnncied that saw my fathers Il
e torn with the shot, and SO terribly swe'lt
a that the doctor had to cut off his clothe
But this night was not the worst. Day Il
e ter day things grew more wretched. N
e dear father could not conceal his suffering
1t my gentle mother could not hide her gre
II anxiety; even the children became unha
e py, got into corners and cried without e
e actly knowing what they were cry ing fu
Of Our kiEd old friend, the doctor was in al
% out of the house nearly every hour,
re could not 90 outside our front door wit
d ont having kind inquiries to answer viii,
were dreadful to me. shut yself up
% last saving had some books had proI
e. ised to study in the holidays. My moth
~ had table fixed for me in little study
n, my fathers between the library and t
| sitting-room. | sat there most of the da
to but 7 did not do much studying. I
ie greater part of my time | was lookil
a Il p-li