Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-06-05
NO. 1875.
Gales ano Skettbes.
THE GREAT UNLOADED.


grounds for believing that his Christian
name was James on the other hand, there
are the strongest grounds for doubling that
his surname was Johnstone. 1t matters
not he lives in my memory as The
Great Jnloaded.'
Ny eldest brother Tom has a property
in Scotland called Bogmore, not of great
extent, but with very good mixed shoot
ing. Personally he never cared much for
shooting and when he took actively to
politics a few years ago, he practically
handed over the charge of the game to his
younger brothers. usually appeared at
Bogmore in the end of July or beginning
of August and remained until the middle
of October. But in 1877 spent the whole
of August on the Continent, and the first
fortnight in September with friend in
England and so did not reach Bogmore
Castle until the 18th or 18th of September.
arrived in time for n late dinner. On
entering the drawing-room found that its
sole occupant was Il man who was stand.
ing at one of the windows. The evening
was dark, and | could only see that he was
tall and bulky. He turned towards me,
and bowed, and said something about
just arrived in time for dinner.
Mr.. Francis Douglas, feel sure by
the voice." said the unknown. "How
like your good brothers it is - and he
wrung me warmly by the hand.
Further conversation was prevented by
the arrival of the rest of the party, and in
few minutes we were in the dining room.
'Mr. Johnstone," said my brother, and
the unknown waved a hand over his glass
es, muttered some words inaudibly, and
we all sat down.
1t was plain from the outset that dinner
was a serious thing with Mr.. Johnstone.
He adjusted his napkin as a man who has
long, cold drive before him adjusts his
rug, and at once possessing himself of the
nearest menu, read it diligently from be-
ginning to end. After IA minutes anxious
reflection he raised his head, and then for
the first time | had an opportunity of ex-
aminng his face. 1t was massive and
well shaped, and of uniform red, with
the exception of the brow. The eye
brows were shaggy, and the eyes, as far
rs visible (for he wore enormous specta-
cles,) were large and brown. He was
clean shaven; the lower part of the face
was broad and somewhat sensual but
when he smiled his expression was very
winning He appeared to be between for
tv and fifty years of age. He conversed
sanity. but with great discrimination.
Once | saw an expression of reproachful
regret come over his face, like cloud
over frosty sun, when, accepting and be-
ginning operations on some grouse, he
perceived that there was also woodcock.
He murmured Tut, tut !" softly, looked
again at the menu Gin which woOdcock did
not appear). and glanced reproachfully at
my sister-in-law ere he resumed his
grouse.
Dinner over, on the motion of Mr.. john
stone, instead of joining the ladies we ad
journed to the billard-room, where | was
formerly introduced to him. In the course
of conversation | mentioned that | had
been at Trinity College, Cambridge
"Why, your a Cambridge man, john
stone, are YOU not ?n said Tom.
"Ah those Trinity swells know moth
ing of poor little Corpus. | suppose"
| was forced to admit that | did not
know a single man in Corpus, whereupon
he began to enlarge upon his university
exploits. Bv his own account he must
have been in the university eleven and one
of the best racket and tennis players of
his day He spoke by name of several
dons, whom | knew, and asked if they
still kept up their tennis. That he could
play billiards was left in no doubt rs,
during our conversation. he gave me thirty
in one hundred and beat me easily.
'Do YOU shoot, Mr.. Johnstone ?" | in
quired. to exhaust the list of his accom-
plishments.
"Ah, there he said. laying down his
cue, 'you boys have the pull of the old
man. | love it, but | can't do it. Never
can get my gun off in time and if could
there's usually nothing in it. I'm heavy
man, and slow at my fences; | draw my
cartridges and forget to replace them.
But, Douglas, | must be off, or Linton and
John will be dragging the Tay for me-"
And with these words he took his leave.
"And now, Tom, said, .who is your
friend ?"
Tom thereupon made somewhat dis
iointed statement to the following effect
lie first met Mr.. Johnstone in the begin
ming of August at table d hote luncheon
in the hotel of s., neighboring VII
lage which is rapidly being converted into
a fashionable summer resort. Mr. John
stone in the course of conversation, ex-
planned that he was in holy orders, with a
living in the South of England (the name
of which was never revealed y and that
following high academic example he had
to1l1t l1llb tlllt Nlluo lol tHt pun poSt VI
coaching or grinding young gentleman
(who sat next him) Tor his matriculation
at Cambridge in the following October.
He told Tom that this young fellows
name was George Linton, and that he had
Il considerable fortune, and was extremely
well connected, so highly. and irregularly
indeed, that he (NIr. Johnstone dared not
whisper the quarter. Mr.. Johnstone FUR
ther stated that he was in search of suita-
BILE lodgings but could find none in the
overcrowded village. Now it so happened
that ut this time there was standing an
empty cottage belonging to Tom called
The Nest" 1t had until lately been oc-
cupied by watcher; but its last occupant
having watched more to his own account
than that of his master, was in respect
thereof dismissed; and Tom, who was
very dilatory. had not filled up his place
Before the end of luncheon The Nest
was let for an indefinite number of weeks
to Mr.. Johnstone and his ''beloved charge"
as he was pleased to call him. How the