, 1881-07-15
Love and Hunting.

did so he held up for inspection an i'm
maculate pair of "tops" in one hand and
q pair of painfully new breeches in the
other, while his countenance wore an
expression of mingled fear and astonish-
ment.
With an inward sinking at my heart I
turned from my morning paper and cut
let, and having nodded gloomy assent to
his query, said:
''That will do, James; lay them on the
sofa"
The above conversation took place in
my bachelor apartments in the Albany,
and the reason for the appearance
therein of the aforesaid tops and
hreeches 1 am about to explain. I am
not hunting man. 1 never could see
any joke in humping about on hard
piece of pigskin in pursuit of draggled
piece of vermin called a fox, although
some people say the fox enjoys the fun.
1t is all very well for those who like it.;
and Mr.. Jorricks, of immortal memory,
may call hunting "the sport of things
the image of war without its guilt and
only twenty-five per cent. of its danger, -
If he likes, but confess / can't see it in
that light.
1t was with feelings the reverse of
pleasant, therefore, that received and
accepted an invitation from Sir Harry
Bulltinch to stay week in his "box" IN
Warwickshire and avail myself of his
hospitality and mount with the re-
nowned pack which hunted that coun-
try. l was urged to this acceptance of
what in my saner moments / should
have treated as a practical Joke by
slight attack of the master passion. /
met Sir Harry and his daughter, Kate, in
London, during the past season. We
had frequently met at the various balls
and entertainments, and on several occa
sions had enjoyed the balmy fragrance
of Bushy park and the still delights of a
boat on the upper reaches of the
Thames, but with my natural timidity,
had never ventured to ask the question
which was forever on the tip of my
tongue, but never got farther. The in
vitation appeared to hold out promises
of quiet tete-a-tetes, so electrified my
tailor and boot-maker with orders for
the necessary ''togs" with which to carry
on the campaign.
1 remember having somewhere heard
or read that in order to acquire an easy
and graceful seat on horseback, sitting
astride on a chair and holding on by the
back was excellent practice, SO, having
called James and given him most express
instruction to deny me even to my most
intimate friends, proceeded to struggle
into the tightest pair of cords that were
ever made for mortal man, and, with the
aid of brandy and soda and a couple of
boot hooks, to pull on pair of boots
which made my eorns burn for hours.
Armed with cutting whip, I then
mounted the strongest chair in the apart
ment and continued the exhilarating ex-
ereise with the firmness of stole, and
with only one interval for luncheon,
throughout the entire day.
My train left the Great Northern sta
ton at 4:3O, and landed me safely at my
destination. In due course found my
self seated next to fair Kate, with my legs
comfortably crossed under Sir Harry S
mahogany.
II suppose our dull country pack will
seem quite second rate to you," said
Kate.
l was murmuring something in reply
when Sir Harry broke in with:
''Ah, I've got splendid mount for
You tomorrow, my boy. A trifie play
full, perhaps-hasn't been hunting yet
this season, but ne will carry you like q
bird"
"oh, yes" said Kate. "Czar is such a
nice creature
''Indeedr' said I. ''I am reioiced to
hear 1t. OF course you accompany us to
the meet.'
eyes," she replied, 'and papa said
that might follow the hounds little
way. You'll look after me, won't you,
Mr.. De Boots
promised to do my devoirs, but in
my heart 1 thought l should require
some one to look after me.
Tho fOIlOuiuor N, ~, ., l0uooI.
fast the horses were brought around-a
sturdy, thiek-set, quiet-looking weight
carrier, neat looking gray mare, and
fdgety chestnut. The latter gave his
groom some trouble, and insisted on
waltzing around on his hind legs a good
deal more than appeared TO me TO be
necessary.
ST am afraid your papa will find that
animal rather troublesome, I remarked
to Kate.
That, she answered, "oh, that's not
papas-thats the one you are going to
ride-Czar.'
My appetite left me, and as I rose and
walked, IN as unconcerned q manner as
could assume to the window, saw that
the CZar had reversed the order of things
by putting his head between his forelegs
and lashing out with his heels in a very
vicious looking and anything but play
full" manner.
A general move was now made to the
front door. Kate looked at me evidently
expecting me to ''put her up" but 1
knew better than to attempt it, and pre-
tended to be intent on buckling strap
of the pair of spurs Sir Harry had lent
me until she was safe IN the saddle.
Gar was then brought up for me to
mount, which, after several abortive at
tempts on my part. 1 effected, and we all
logged on to the meet. Contrary to my
expectation, Czar behaved in most ex-
emplary manner, and even ventured to
swing my whip with iauDty air without
his taking the slightest notice. But il |
was too good to last. Presently a red |
coat popped out on us from by-lane. |
Two or three more horsemen overlook |
us, and his tail began to describe circles,
and he proceeded on his way with crab /