Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-05-06

By MRS HENRY WooD.
CHAPTER I.

.opei alorueu better spOils; and they
had fingered long at the sport, for
evening was drawing on Mr.. Dali
rymple, the owner of Moat-Grange-
which was a desolate Grange enough.
to look at, with the remains of a moat
round 1t, long since filled in-aimed at
the last bird he meant to hit that day.
ana missed it. He handed his gun to
his game-keeper.
Shall l load again, sir?"
No. We have had enough for one
Gay, Hardy: and it is getting late. Come
along, Charles. Oscar, are you salts
fed?''
He must be greedy if he is not"
broke in the voice of Mr.. Cleveland, a
nelghbor, who had joined their sport
''He ought to leave some''
1ou Ii come home and dine with
us, Cleveland interposed Mr.. Dali
rymple, as they turned toward the
Grange
what, in this trim? Mrs. Dalrvm-
pie would say l made myself free and
easy
Nonsense! You know we don't
stand upon ceremony. James will give
your boots a brush. And, if you insist on
being smart, will lend YOU coat
As you have, before now. Thank
you. Then don't care if do Look
out, Charles; out of the way" And,
turning round, Mr.. Cleveland fired his
gun in the air
"What is that forp'' demanded Os-
car Dalrymple, a relative of the family,
who was visiting at the Grange. You
have wasted the charge"
81 never carry home piece loaded"
was the answer Il have too MANY
young ones to risk it; they are in all
parts of the house at once, and putting
their hands to every thing. Neither do
L think it fair to carry it into the house
of a friend
ners of his mouth, rendering his cold.
unpleasing face more unpleasing. At
that moment a bird rose within range
Oscar raised his gun, fired and
brought it down. This is how like
to waste good shot and powder" said
he.
''All right, Mr.. Oscar" merrilv an
swered Mr.. Cleveland. ITO use it is
better than to waste it. but to waste it
is better than to run risks. All the ac-
cidents that happen with guns happen
from want of precaution.
''Shall l draw your charge, Mr..
Charles?" asked Hardy. who had a rev.
erence for Mr.. Cleveland and all he
said, having once served his father.
Draw the charge from my gum"
returned Charles Dalrymple. No.
can take care of my playthings if others
can't" he added. in a lower tone to
Hardy, with all the self-surety of a
young and vain man.
Presently Farmer Lee came up. wind
ing across the stubble toward his home.
They were on the farmers grounds
then, who rented under Mr.. Dalrvm-
pie.
Famous good sport to-day. hasn't it
been. squire?' cried he. touching his
hat to his landlord.
Famous. Never better. Will YOU
accept pair, Lee?' continued MIR.
Dalrymple. I'VE have bagged plenty"
The farmer gladly took the pheasants.
He had no time to 90 shooting, him
self, or did not choose to make it; work,
with Farmer Lee, was all in all Il
shall tell my daughters you Shot them
on purpose, squire said he. jestingly.
DO" laughed Charles Dalrvmpie.
ssTell Miss Judith | shot them for her;
in return for her sewing up that rent
in nv coat. the other day. and making
me decent to 90 home. Is the fence,
where | fell, mended Yet, farmer?'
..Mended YETI echoed MIR. Lee. 1T
was up again in an hour after you left,
Mr.. Charles
.'Ah! / know you are the essence of
order and punctuality," returned
Charles. ''You must let me have the
cost"
Thine enough for that" said the
farmer. ''Twasn' much. Good-after
noon, gentlemen: your servant, squire.
"OEI say-Leer' called out Charles,
as the farmer was turning hOmeward,
whilst the rest of the party pursued
their way. ..about the mud in that
weir? Hardy says it will hurt the fish
to do it now
That's just what 1 told you, Mr..
Charles
..Wen, then. But I'll come
down tomorrow and talk it over with
you; cant stop now.
LAS you please, sir; l shall be some
where about.
Charles Dalrymple turned too hasti-
". His foot caught against something
rising from the stubble, and. in saving
himself, he nearly dropped his gun.
He recovered the gun with jerk. but
the trigger was touched. he never knew
now OF WIFI piNSt "SAiN
off. A cry in front, confusion, one
down and the others gathered round
him. was all that Charles Dalrvmple
saw as through mist. He dropped
the gun, started forward, and gave
vent to a cry of anguish. For it was
his father who had fallen.
The most collected was Oscar Dali
rymple. He always was collected; his
nature was too cold ever to be put out.
He held up his relatives head and
shoulders, and strove to ascertain the
injury. Mr.. Dalrymple, though very
male had not tainted, and he opened
his eyes. .,
% fatherr' cried Charles, with a
wall of grief, as he threw himself beside
him. Il did not do it purposely-l
don't know how it happened.
..Purposely! no boy" answered ms
father, in kind tone. ''Cheer up.
do not believe there's much harm done.
Cleveland, think the damage is In my
left leg" IT.,
Mr.. Dalrymple was right: The
charge had entered the calf OF the lett
leo. Oscar cut the leg of the trousers
ronnd at the knee with pen-knife. and
drew it off. and the boot. The blood
was running freely. As matter OF
course. not a soul present knew what
ouobt to be done, whether any thing |
or nothing, all being profoundly igno-
rant of the simple principles OF surgery
4 IN the conc fusion |