Connecticut western news., 1879-05-21

k|@OOONAS ~A response to the captains urgent in- vitation.
 "Do you think he means to forfeit, DykelyP"
 "I really cannot say; it certainly looks uncommonly like 8 forfeit. But there is no accounting for anything that Whinridge does"
 "Upon my word I think you are right" replied his lordship. "By the way, have you and he smoked the calumet over that poacher-fellow
 "Not a bit of it, rejoined the captain. 'And, it is my belief, now, that can be calm on the subject-I was anything but that when gorged the bait-that he meant this match as sort of Rowland for my Oliver" ..
 ''But where is he? An, there goes the quarter P "
 The sound of the chimes, as it foated on the gentle night breeze from the tower of Thornford parish church across Windyholm, was heard and noted by the crowd, now wrought up into a nervous state of expectancy by the con- tinued absence of the squire.
 A sound of wheels. "Hurrah 1"
 The cheer was not thrown away. It was the squire, driving a dog-cart at a rate which an officer of the county con- stabulary would have pronounced dan- gerous, had anybody but the squire held the ribbons. He pulled up by the pad. dock-rails, and, leaping out, turned to assist his companion to alight, saying as he did so,
 Hartbrook, where are you? Take care of these. Now, Redgy, come with me-"
 Why, it's his son Reginald P
 In the hubbub caused by the arrival of MT. Whinridge and his youngest son, 8 pale thin boy of about twelve years of age, it was by no means easy for the principals in the little drama to make the preparations necessary for raising the curtain.
 Hartbrook, proud of his office, carried 8 light racing saddle and its necessary "aecompaniments,' and, walking by the side of the youth, followed the squire into the paddock.
 "Iguessed it would be you, Master Redgy," said Hartbrook, in gleeful whisper; "and I've backed you. It's a splendid moon, and you know the track. "
 ''L should think I did, Mark. And you too, eh? Recollect when I would insist on your taking me the whole line, you on old Goliath and on my pony LiIliput? And how frightened mamma was and how the guy. tipped me sov., eh, Mark ?''--
 Hartbrook's memory was fully as re- tentive of those forbidden adventures as the boys, but he did not consider this an appropriate occasion for refreshing it.
 "Yes, yes, of course I remember, Master Redgy. Fine times they were. Now tell me, what does the squire really say about the matchs"
 "He has no doubts of Appletart'f ability, but"
 He has of yours?
 "Not exactly that. He thinks the exploit is rather too much for my years and" (whispering) "that the captain would have no objection to taking { mean advantage of chis infant if he saw the opportunity. O, I must tell you such lark I was but at dinner partj with mamma and Gretty when the gov got to the Hall tonight. So what doe he do but gets into tail-coat himsel and comes to fetch us home, he said We were hurried off, I can tell you And sent to bed at once. Mamma think he is going round with the keepers, ant that I'm in bed9"
 By this time they had reached tn paddock. The squire's arrival wa greeted quite as fervently as, if nor quietly than, it had been by the crow outside. He shook hands with LOT, Gules, expressed his delight at knowinl that his lordship had consented to ac as starter, and then faced the captain.
 "Now, Captain Dykely, shall we ge readyp"
 "Your jockey, MT. Whinridge ?"
 els my son Reginald. Haveyou an objection to him?
 "Every objection, MT. Whinridge When I made this-I don't mind admit ting it-stupid match. it was not wit the idea that was going to have for a opponent mere child.
 "Child or not, he rides"
 "I am no more a child than he ii papa r exclaimed the boy. eff I ca ride what more does he want ?" .s
 "Hear, hear P cried the crowd. :"
 elf you can ride 1" said Captai Dykely, with sheer.
 "Dykely," interposed Lord Gule
 "I must say that, according to u
 terms of the match, you are bound ) accept Whinridge's jockey, or forfeit. "Very well" reioined Dykel. sullenly, "very we'll. If the bat breaks his neck I am not to blam mind. Let us get it over.'' There was stampede on the part the auditors at these words in u direction of the two most formidab : obstacles ia the track-a made fence, the beginning of the straight run-i and brook on the far side. The bo ) giving up his overcoat and hat 3 Hartbrook, and putting on 8 silk e which he produced from his pockt s presently appeared, like his oppone1 fully equipped for action. In defa1 of silk he wore thin jersey, but othe | wise it would have been impossible : find fault with his appearance. E