The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1890-12-18
LORD JOHNS BARGAIN.

| achievements. He was proud in the |
first place of the fact that he was |
St. Pierre, and at the same time con-
sidered himself competent represen-
tative Of the talents and graces of the |
ancient and illustrious house of Ston-
eyhurst. In the next place he was
very proud OF his reputation as one of
the best shots Of driven game in the |
United Kingdom. and Of his conse-
quent entree into many country-houses
where only brilliant shots were well
coined. He WAS also proud, very
proud, OF his own perfect manners,
and plumed himself, not without cause,
on his insinuating address. 1t was on
his reputation. however, as success
full collector Of china that he princi-
pally piqued himself, and the trifing
sums which he had paid for various
articles of vertu which ornamented
his rooms at the Albany formed his
favorite theme of conversation. In
deed, if all he said was true. and if
all the china was really genuine he
fully deserved all the congratulations
which he claimed.
Nor did he fail to see how valuable
were the three first mentioned quail
fications in their reference to this lat
ter pursuit. Many a cottager who
would have refused to sell his precious
little heirlooms to the travelling deal
err was only too proud to part with
them, at perhaps a lower price, to a
Lord John-a Lord John, too, who
spoke so prettily and made himself so
agreeable. 1t was grand to think that
some little figure or cup and saucer
which had stood unnoticed in the cup
board should take its place, as the
seller fondly imagined would be the
case, among the priceless gems Of
Stoneyhurst abbey.
Johns presence too at so many
sporting places gave him opportunities
of admission into the interiors of
cottagers' and keepers houses which
might not otherwise have been obtain
ed 1t is not given to everyone to be
a district visitor, tax collector, or
school-attendance officer, and without
such or similar professions it is not
easy to gain an introduction unlimited
: to the homes of the poor. Lord John,
however, had special privileges, and
he lost no opportunities of availing
himself of the facilities offered by
shooting luncheons in farm-houscs or
keepers lodges on the different prop
critics over which he shot.
few winters ago my brother in
law came TO shoot at my home, Pen
Owen court, in Monmouthshire Know
ing as | did, how uufavorably the
bags even on my best days compared
with the slaughter to which John was
accustomed, | had had some hesita-
ton in inviting him into such an out
of-the- way part OF the world.
He had heard, however, of the
wonderful stand at Eastfeld coppice
said to be perhaps the most difficult
sporting in England, and was anxious
to try his hand at our "roclze ters.'
| had no possible objection, and hi
was invited for three days shooting
A sad and mysterious calamity
however, in connection with the deatl
of one of the heaters happened thu
first day, and the unhappy inciden
prevented us from carrying out tn
weeks program.
- Guests who have no resources t
q occupy them when sport fails ar
q naturally difficult to entertain, an
Il consequently l was not altogethe
" sorry when my visitors, with the ex
N ception of Lord John, decided upo
n taking their departure the mornin
n which succeeded the catastrophe.
He however remained and in tn
4 course of the afternoon announced hi
q intention of going up to the keeper
q house. where he had lunched the pre-
x vious day, and of course | offered t
n walk there with him. Rather to m
a surprise he seemed to have no partic
q ular desire for my society, and l be
gun to wonder if his projected Wis
II had any connection with the myster
~ Gus affair to which / have already a
luded. AT any rate | determined {
accompany him, and on the way | wa
made n confdant of his lordship's in
tentions. On the previous day he ha
IN noticed two china figures on the keeI
er's chimney-piece, and, though wit
ms q connoisseur's natural suspicion h
n, had at the time done nothing to attraC
he general attention to them, he now con
ue fessed that he had every reason to be
lieve that they were old Dresden. II
IN imagined them to be of great valu
nd and had determined TO pick them u
nm as cheaply as he could. / have neve
tie tie quite been able TO make up my min
Or about the morality of such proceed
box ing, but thoroughly disl'ked the ide
> of any one picking mp" valuabl
article "cheap" from one OF my ow
retainers and as it were, under m
own sanction. However, determine
{ to bide my time and see what hal
pened.
\ John annoyed me very much at IL
NJ first opening of negotiations. He b
gy gan by asking Mrs. Rawlins who's
q! husband was not at home, question
: about the family of the dead beate
ssis with expressions OF the most profour
SSby sympathy for his orphaned daughte
II. OF course there was no harm in the
MI. inquiries; indeed, they were quite ma
49, ural. But the questioner's mann'