Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-31

NEWPORT FOX.HUNT.
The Inhumau Iumbug that the MOn-
ey.Bag Family CuiI ''>pOrt"
IFrom "a Newport Aquarelle."l


An excellent horsewoman was Gladys
Carleton, and she never appeared to more
advantage than when in tha eallla A.
Mrs. Fallow-Deer's warning, she touched
her tall sorrel lightly with her crop, and
the young people rode offat a sharp pace.
Arriving at the rendezvous, they found II
large group of riders, 20 or 80 men,
and half as many women, all well mount
ed and well got up.
Some of the gentlemen wore pink coats,
others were in plain riding-dress. The
huntsmen were busy with the hounds, n
fine pack imported from Buckingham
shire, and the hunters were talking and
laughing together, walking their horses
about, or Tightening their girths for the
long run.
In the large open space of the grove
hundreds of carriages, filled with specta-
tors, were assembled, and more were ar
irving every moment. The horns of the
coaches sounded merrily in the distance,
and presently drag, driven by a wound :
ed polo-player, his crutches conspicuous
ly displayed beside him, rolled into the
grove.
On the coach the quick eyes OF Gladys
Carleton espied her English acquaint-
ance of the morning, Cuthbert Larking-
ton.
Mr. Larkington's horse, having been
led out by groom, was awaiting him.
He sprang into the saddle and joined the
group of riders, making his way to the
side of Gladys, by whom he was half
gIaciously received.
She never was quite gracious to any
one. An introduction to Fsrwell follow
ed, and as the two gentlemen bowed the
horns of the huntsmcn warned them that
the run was about to begin.
Off went the hounds across the road,
scrambling over the loose stone-wall which
divided it from the field.
They ran shifting and crying at the her
ring scent. as il they knew all about the
imposturs practiced on them, and resent
edit.
After them followed the riders, men and
women. The wall was not very high
one, and the horses leaped lightly over it,
no one coming to grief.
| The carriages by this time were all tear
ing down the high road, which was also
lined with number of riders, who fol-
lowed the hunt from this safe vantage
ground, endangering nothing but their
eye.sight, which the cloud of dust threat
ened, and enjoying the hunt quite as
much rs its followers, 80 they affirmed.
Gladys was among the foremost riders,
and Farwell and darlington pressed their
horses to keep at her side.
Away they galloped across stubble-
fields and open meadows, taking n five
barred gate here and water jump there,
as they came. No side roads or opened
gates for Gladys; she loved the excite
ment of the run as much as did her sor-
REL "Nimbus."
He was a splendid beast, strong, pow
crfully built, and in fine condition.
Before they had ridden three miles it
became apparent to both of the cavaliers
thai Gladys had the best mount. and ii
was with difficulty that the two men kept
at her side.
She spoke to darlington occasionally,
but oftener to her horse, which she en-
couraged by calling his name constantly.
AT last, after run of about seven m les,
during which several ugly croppers were
taken by some of the riders and horses, a
little puppy fox was seen to issue from
the leathern bag in which he had been
confined, a field ahead of the hunting
party.
The hounds leapcd forward at quicker
pace, crying at the sight of their prey,
and the men and women spurred their
horses on for the last field.
Excited exclamations escaped from the
men as they lashed their tired steeds, and
cry of go on, "Nimbus !" fell on Far
wells ears. 1t had come from the lips of
Gladys and Oh he looked at her, he
wondered where the tender expression
could have vanished which had stirred
his heart an hour ago.
She was flushed and her eyes sparkled
with excitement. She struck her horse
aud urged him over the last wall rs n
jockey might have done, and with the cry
which he had heard, and which had nc
sound of her natural voicein it, she swept
across the field even with the huntsmen,
and leading the whole cavalcade.
And the fox? Well, he was only q