Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-12-27

a fine old favorite o. theirs. Morton says
there's nothing for him but the pole-aT,
and then the kennel after we've took off
his skin"
Here" I said, unbuttoning my coat
and taking the letter from my breast
The old bailiff opened and read the
letter by the light of the lantern.
"Some ones been having a game with
you sir-hocussing Of you"
stamped my foot and made snatch
at the letter, white with rage and dlsap-.
pointment.
(Which I call it a shame, sir. It's
because we allus called the old horse
Lord John"
Give me my letter and let me 60"
"Stop a moment, sir" said the old
man, taking out letter which be read
aloud:
Wen mind and shut the gates after we've
done skating, and we shall be off the ice by
eleven"
: Yes, I thought so, sir. One of Mr..
Mark Winsey's games. Look"
l snatched the two letters and COM
pared them. There was no doubt about
it. | had been hoaxed by the practical
joker Of the place.
eff had him here" I said, fercely,
I'D horsewhip him.
"And serve him right, too, sir. It's
too bad to a gentleman; and it's like
him as called wolf in the fable. P'r'aps
some day he'll want help and it mayn't
come.
''Weu, Master Bart" said a rough
voice, 1.-THE sooner the better, [ say"
ooh, don't say that, Mr.. Norton, "
cried a woman. Poor old Lord john"
''WcIl It's bad job, Mrs. Bennett, but
the sooner he's put out of his misery the
better"
I'm 'fraid so, Mr.. Morton Poor old
chap, then"
The baliff went into the stable where
good looking cob was standing on
three legs, and the poor brute turned its
head round and uttered pitiful whin-
nying sound, while I looked on.
eff you'll fetch the pole-axe, Master
Bart, I'll soon do it," said the harsh
voiced man.
els the leg badly broken?" said.
"Well, no; not what you'd call badly
broken.''
''COuldn't you set 1t!
"Sct it!'' said the vet cOntemptuous-
ly; "who ever heard of setting a horses
leg"
Il have" [ said sharply, for his tone
annoyed me.
''Then you'd better set it," he said,
with a sheer.
II will, said.
"What?"
''Does your master set much store by
this horse?" I said.
"Store by him, SIR" cried the bailiff.
''Why, Miss Lydia will break her heart
about it. His lordship wouldn't lose him
for a hundred pound
''Shall [ try and set the leg?" said.
"Shall you try, sir? Will you?'
For answer [ took off my coat, and
the veterinary surgeon laughed.
[ need not tell you how we did it.
Suffice it that [ did set that horses leg
that night. The poor animal seemed to
understand what was going on, and
rubbed his muzzle against my hand as [
patted and talked to him after he was
hoisted up and slung from the stable
rafters.
AS [ went home at about eleven, was
stopped halfway by an excited group,
who hurried me to one of the farms,
where l found another patient awaiting
me, lying grooming on a mattress.
elbow did this happen?" [ said.
eve were just leaving the ice," said
one of the party, ''When Mark slipped
and fell"
'Markn' involuntarily replied.
eyes, sir, Mark Winsey."
Imeditated for few moments, as I
recalled the baliff's words, and then [
took off my coat once more, and with
great deal OF show placed my small ma
hogany box on the farm kitchen table.
''All leave the room," I said, ''but
three"
was unwillingly obeyed, and then 1
knelt down and examined the injured
man.
LEG Fractured" [ said, ''just below
the knee Hah bad case"
There was faint groan from my pa
tient.
LUCKY for you, Mr.. Mark Winsey,"
[ said, ''that I've been in practice to-
night"
There was another groan, and the
young man looked at me wildly.
GIVE set Lord Johns leg, sir, and
I've followed out your advice IN the
letter. [ did bring my instruments
luckily for you"
"What?" he groaned. "Doctor! doc
tor! you're not going to take off my