Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-04-05
MOAT-GRANGE.
BIZ 1G.s. Hnxxr woon
CHAPTER I.

They had brought down the pleas
ants in plenty; never had first OF Oc-
tober afforded 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 moat
round it, long since filled in-aimed at
the last bird he meant to hit that day,
and missed 1t. He handed his gun to
his game-keeper.
"Shall 1 load again, sir?"
"No. We have had enough for one
day, Hardy; and it is getting late. Come
along, Charles. Oscar, are you salts
fedP'
"He must be greedy if he is not"
broke in the voice of Mr.. Cleveland, q
neighbor. who had joined their sport.
HE ought to leave some"
You'll come home and dine with
us, Cleveland" interposed Mr.. Dali
rymple, as they turned toward the
Grange.
what, in this trimP Mrs. Dalrym-
pie would say I made myself free and
easy"
d
stand upon ceremony. James will give
being smart, / will lend you a coat"
you. Then don't care if I do. Look
out, Charles; out of the way" And.
turning around, Mr.. Cleveland fred his
gun in the air.
"What is that forp" demanded o.
car Dalrymple, a relative of the family,
who was visiting at the Grange. "You
have wasted the charge"
II never carry home piece loaded"
was the answer. II 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
think it fair to carry it into the house
of friend"
Oscar Dalrymple drew down the cor
ners of his mouth. rendering his cold.
unpleasing face more unpleasing At
that moment bird rose within range.
Oscar raised his gun. fired and
brought it down. "This is how l like
to waste good shot and powder" said
he
Cali right, Mr. Oscar" melrily an
swered Mr. Cleveland. ITO use it is
better than to waste 1t, 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..
CharlesP" asked Hardy, who had rev.
erence for Mr.. Cleveland and all he
said, having once served his father.
"Draw the charge from my gunP'
returned Charles Dalrymple. "No. I
can take care of my playthings if others
can't" he added, in q lower tone to
Hardy, with all the sef-surety of
young and vain man.
Presently Farmer Lee camc up. wind
Ing across the stubble toward his home.
They were on the farmers grounds
then, who rented under Mr.. Dalrym-
pie.
Famous good sport to-day, hasn't it
been, squireP" cried he, touching his
hat to his landlord.
Famous. Never better. Will you
accept a pair, Leea" continued Mr..
Dalrymple. 1--WE have bagged plenty"
The farmer gladly took the pheasants.
He had no time to 60 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 Dalrymple.
ssTell Miss Judith shot them for her;
In return for her sewing up that rent
in my coat, the other day, and making
me decent to go home. Is the fence,
where fell, mended yet, farmerp"
"Mended yetr' echoed Mr.. Lee. "It
was up again in an hour otter 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't much. Good-after.
noon, gentlemen; your servant, squire. y"
5 "OSI say-Lee!" called out Charles,
as the farmer was turning homeward,
whilst the rest of the party pursued
their way, ''about the mud in that
weirp Hardy says it will hurt the fish
to do it now.''
That's just what I told you, Mr.
Charles"
swell, then. But I'll come
down tomorrow and talk it over with
you; can't stop now"
''As you please, sir; I shall be some
!, where about"
= Charles Dalrymple turned too hasti.
) ~. His foot caught against something
himself, he nearly dropped his gun
He recovered the gun with a jerk, bu,
the trigger was touched, he never knew
how or with what, and the piece went
n off. A cry in front, confusion, one
down and the others gathered rounC
him, was all that Charles Dalrympl,
D, saw as through a mist. He dropped
the gun, started forward, and gav'
vent to cry of anguish. For it wa!
his father who had fallen.
The most collected was Oscar Dal
rymple. He always was collected; hi
nature was too cold ever to be put out
He held up his relatives head ant
shoulders, and strove to ascertain tn
injury. Mr.. Dalrymple, though yer.
pale, had not tainted, and he opene'
his eyes.
20 father!'' cried Charles, with
3 l. - III L. 81