The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-11-08

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&SlISlfERN4 horses neck ant
EkXS4 sgNk was amhlinf
MT7ESpSs&2 homeward. BE
N2HlS&6&N tween me ant
yS54M @ Bleakirklnv sew
XEM AyEsA en- good miles
ME4 ~ and we had com,
(N far enough al
W ready on th'
chance of the suns breaking through,
but MS the morning wore on go ou1
prospect ofhunting that day fadet
further from us. 1t was now higl
noon, and l had left the hunt about
half nn hour ago, turned my face to
ward the coast and lit cigar to be
guile the way. When n man is twen
tyseven he begins to miss the fun o
shivering beside u frozen cover.
The road took u sudden plung,
among the spurs of the two covering
hills. As l began to descend thu
first gleam of sunshine burst from
the dull heaven and burst over thu
hoar-frost. Hooked up and saw OF
the slope Of the hill to the right /,
horseman also descending.
At first glance took him for q
brother sportsman who had aban
doned hope of n fox. But tleseconl
assured me of my mistake. Thu
stranger wore IL black suit o
antique clerical cut, n shovel hat
and gaiters; his ing was the sorries,
of ponies, with IL shaggy coat o
flaring yellow, and so low in the legs
that the broad flaps of its riders
coat oil but trailed on the ground.
We met Mt the foot of the descent
"Ah, indeedrJ said the stranger
refining in his 1ny as though nov
for the first I'll he aware of me. 81
wish you u very good dny, sir. VIZ
are well met" He pulled off his hat
with fantastic politeness. Form
my astonishnient grew us | regard
ell him more closely. A mass o
lanky white hair drooped on either
side of IL face pale, pinched, and ex,
traordinarily wrinkled; the cloths
that wrapped his diminutive body
were thread-bare, greasy, and
patched in all directions. Fifty
yenrs wear could not have worsener'
them; and indeed from the whole
aspect of the man you might guess
him IL century old were it not for the
nimbleness OF his gestures and his
eyes, which were gray, alert, and
keen as needles.
acknowledged his salutation as
lie ranged up besidemc.
"Will my company, sir, offend
you? BY your coat suspect your
trade-venatorem sapit, hey"
His voice exactly fitted his eyes
Both were sharp and charged with
expression; yet both carried also IL
hint tllut their owner had lived long
in privacy.
81 am riding lomeward," l an.
swercd.
"Hey? Whercis that?"
cat Bleakirk." I"
He seemed about to speak, but re.
strained himself, fumbled in his
waistcoat pocket, and produced IL
massive snlff-box offered me IL pinch.
On my declining he helped himself
copiously. and then letting the pins
hang loose upon his arm fell to tap
ping the box.
"To me this form of their herb
nicotiuna commends itself l,y it's
cleapness, the sense is ticklcd; the
purse consenting-like the complnis'
mt husband in .Juvcnal; you take
me? l am well acquainted with
neutrality-suspicious.. BY the way,
howis Squire Cartwright ofthe Hall?"
eff" snid |, "you mean my father,
twelve years" "IIey?" cried the
old gentleman, and added after IL
moment, "Ah, to besure, time flies
quo dives Tullus et-Angus, eh?
And, yet a hearty man, to all SEEM
ing. So you are his SON." lie took
another pinch. 1T is very sustain
ing," lie said. "Thc snuff" "You
have construed me, sir. Since set
out, Just thirteen hours since, it has
been my sole viaticum." AS he
spoke lie put his hand nervously to
his forehead and withdrew it.
"rhen," thought I, "you must
have started in the middle of the
night" for it was now little pnst
noon. But looking at his face saw
clearly that it, was drawn and pinclled
with fasting. Whereupon l remem-
hered my flask and sandwicll-l,ox,
and pulling them out assured him,
$ith some apology for the offer,
that they were mt his service. His
10y, was childish. Again he whipped
off his hat. and clapping it to his
heart swore my conduct did honor to
tny dead father; ''nnd with Angus
Cartwright" said he, "kindness was
intuitive. Being a habit, it outrnn
reflection; and his whisky, sir. was
undeniable. Come, l have II fancy.
Let JUS dismount, and in heoric fashion
spread our feast upon the turf; or if
the hoar-frost deter yom, see, here
are bowllers, and n running brook to
dilute our cups, and by. my life, IL
foot-bridge to the rail of which We
may tether our steeds."
Falling in with my companions
humor, / dismountel, and after his
example hitched my mares rein over
the rail. We CHOSE two bowldsrs
among n heap of lesser stones close
beside the beck and divided the sand.
wi,4les, for though Iprotested l was
not hungry the old gentleman insist.
ed on our sharing alike. And now
rs the liquor warmed his heart and
the supe,tdne smote upon his back
his e..s parked and be launced OF
The first step In the enort TO prov,ae I