Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-03-02
Almost before I could realize the posi-

Almost before could realize the posi-
ton, stern voice shouting, CHOW, you,
sir, mind the hounds, will you'll" and d
muttered oath accompanied by an express
sion which sounded very much like
"tailor," drew my attention to the fact
that we had arrived in field by the side
of wood, in which were gathered some
seventy or eighty horsemen and pack
of hounds. Luckily for myself, and also
for the hounds, on whom Car seemed to
think it great fun to dance, the master at
this moment gave the signal to "throw
off," It came nearly being prophetic in
my case. In less time than it takes to
write, a fox was started. I lost my hat
and my head at one and the same mo-
ment, and nearly my seat, and the next
thing that l remember with any degree
of distinctness is clinging with the blind
energy of a drowning man to the POM
mel Of the saddle, and regarding with
despair huge fence which seemed to
approach me at terrific rate. There
was sudden rush, tremendous spring
Il seemed to have left the lower part of
my waistcoat and it's contents on the
other side of the obstacle-and, with q
jolt which pitched me somewhere in the
vicinity of Cars ears, we are over.
The field we landed in was stifish
fallow, but Gar still "urged on his
wild career" with undated speed. 7
shook back into the saddle, and pass
ing regret that had neglected to in
| sure my life against accidents fitted
through my mind. I continued to
cling to the pommel, and in this man
ner we negotiated three more fences.
and got into quiet lane, when, much
to my astonishment, Gear stopped dead
short. We had, to my sincere delight,
lost the hounds I patted Gar gently
on the neck, and quickly dismounting,
led him slowly down the lane. We had
not proceeded far when I discerned
country lad coming towards me, car
ryingin his hand my lost hat, which had
been battered out of all shape by
horses hoof. l recovered the lost head
gear, climbed back into the saddle, in
tending to walk Car quietly home
wards, when I could discover in what d.
rection home was. But as ill-luck would
have it, at this precise moment the sound
of horn was heard far off in the dis
lance. Gear pricked up his ears and
gave sudden start, and on my attempt
ing to check him, reared straig ht on end,
while I lovingly clasped him round the
neck with both arms, and with one
plunge forward and upward we left that
lane and that country youth forever.
We landed in large pasture, and
were going at fearful pace up slight
incline. Arrived at the top, the whole
hunt was to be seen coming down the
valley.
And now Gar would take no denial.
Rushing down the slope, at a speed to
which all former exertions of his had
been as mere child's play, we flew over
a double post-ald- rails, and I found my
self good field in front of the foremost
flight of horseman and close on to the
hounds. Onward! still onward! until
looming in the distance appeared
line Of stunted willows, which,
even to my uninitiated vision, meant
"water." Splashl there goes the fox!
Splash! splash! there go the houndsl I
hear voices shouting behind me as if in
warning, but all can do is to hold on
and trust in Providence. Our pace, if
possible, increases, and, with sort of
an idea of going up in a balloon, Gar
and myself seem suspended in the air
miles above the brook. It seems ages
before we come down again, which we
do with a jerk that would have unseated
me had it not been for Gear suddenly
springing forward and shaking me back
to my proper place. We rush on to
where the hounds seem to bescrambling
for something and quarrelling amongst
themselves they have run into the fox,
and Gar comes to standstiil just out
side the worrying pack.
Up comes the first whip and hogs
them off their prey, and see Sir Harry
advancing towards me, red in the face
and violently gesticulating with his
heavy hunting crop. What have done?
Have I unconsciously infringed some
point of hunting etiquette, or have I
hurt Gear? Neither the one nor the
other. Sir Harry hastily finging him.
self off his steaming horse, comes up to
me, and Selling me by the hand nearly
wrings my arm off and bursts out with
"Well done, my boy! You rascal, you!
You've pounded the whole of us.
Never saw such going in all my life.
Don't believe there's another man in the
field that could have done it. Here, Lord
George to thenoble master who at this
moment rode up" permit me to intro
duce my friend, Mr.. De Boots.''
:Delghted to make your acquaint-
ance, sir, says his lordship, shaking me
heartily by the hand. "I trust to be
able to show you some good sport if you
are thinking Of remaining in our coun-
try; though if you do we shall all have
to look to our laurels, for you went like
a bird, sir"
While he is speaking several gentle
men ride up, to all of whom am intro
duced, and ali Of whom praise what they
are pleased to call my "plucky riding"
Miss Kate comes up just as the last
are being performed, and on
the huntsman, obedient to a nod from
his lordship, who is no lover of women
in the hunting field, presenting me with
the brush, 1 handed it to her with all the
grace compatible with mud-stained
and crushed and battered
hat.
We rode home together-Sir Harry
and an old crony of his riding some dis
lance in the rear. Gar was complacent
and had apparently had quite enough,
at any rate, for that day; so, thinking
that 1 might never have another such |
opportunity, gently took Rates whip
hand and ventured to put that question
which had been SO long on the tip of my
tongue.
Her answer was whispered eyes,"
but suddenly turning to me she added
il" On one condition"
"Name IT, dearest." T renliad
You are SO rash and daring that you
must promise me never to hunt after we
are married!'
Need say how readily gave the re-
CURED pledge, and how faithfully I have
kept it ?"
Power Of Plug Hat.
The plug hat is virtually sort of
social guaranty for the preservation of
peace and order. He who puts on one
has given hostage to the community
for his good behavior The wearer Of a
L