The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-01

what the joke was when they camS out OF
tho spinny, Squire Oatley giving vent to
unrestrained outlaws, while the hurley
keeper grinned i'll silence from ear to ear.
What tho devils tho joker" asked my
uncle, irritably. For he was in much too
sour n temper to relish anything like
testing.
ASK Tramps," gasped tho squire, hold
ing his sides, and hardly able to speak
oh, dear, dear! Ha, ha, ha, ha, hap
What is it then, Tramps!" my uncle de
handed, turning to the keeper
Please, SURF" the latter answered, in
his deep, low voice, with his face still all
a-grin, You killed your hare after all, SURF
We found her lying i'll the middle of the
covert"
Then, d"n you, why haven't you
brought her out!" calculated my uncle.
because SURF" Tramps went on in his
own deliberate way, master thought we
better hadn't, SUR; and he said it would be
wiser, SURF, to leave her out of sight where
she is, SURF"
II say, Oatlcy," said my uncle who had
now completely lost his temper, "a Jokes
all very we'll, d-n it, but it can 70 too
far. In the DEVILS name, tell me what all
this means"
well, so 1 will" the squire answered,
who had now recovered himself sufficiently
to speak with conference. II don't mean
to take your hare home, though you may,
if you please. Because-because--h ha,
ha." The squire was again overcome with
laughter. Just tell him why, Trampsl"
Because, SURF" the keeper exclaimed
with broader grin than ever on his great
red face, the hare what you killed, SURF,
amt an Urinary hare at all, SURF, but II
very fine old dog fox, surrl'
"A fox" exclaimed my uncle, half
aghast and half incredulous. Its lie.
I-l-mean you're joking mc!'
All right" answered the squire. "If
you don't believe me, go in and look. 1t is
fox though, and q remarkably fine one
isn't it, Tramps:"
Finest i ever see, SURF" assentcd the
keeper cmphatically And if l was YOU,
Mr. Bush, SURF, should go in and see him,
for his size is something wonderful, SURF,
and do wonder how you came to take him
for hare, surrr'
saw that my uncle was nearly writhing
with modification, for he was eXtraordi-
narily jealous of his reputation rs Il sports
man, and hadn't the gumption to treat his
error as joke. Indeed, his dismay was
altogether so ludicrous that, though was
quite sorry for him, l could not help join.
ing in the laugh at his expense. And ms
how thoroughly he enjoyed my uncles dis
comiiture.
well, Bush" said the squire, ms you
don't seem inclined to go into covert and
view your quarry, shall Tramps fetch him
out for yous Or shall we leave him there
out of sight and pretend to know nothing
about him:"
"Ah, yes." acQuiesced my uncle, evident
ly jumping at the latter suggestion and
turning away from the hateful spot, that
will be best-and l say Cooking anxiously
round Mt us), it will be wiser not to talk
about this. Eh!"
II shant blb," said the squire, laugh
ing, land yolhcan easily make it all right
with Tramps"
My uncle took the hint, and drawing the
keeper aside gave him something handsome
to hold his tongue. While he was doing so
the squire whispered in his ear:
Your uncle fell into my trap beauti-
fully, Charlie. 1t was n hare right enough;
but calculated he wouldn't go in to look.
Happy thought of mine-ch? l fancy
with wink you'll know how to turn it
to account"
Trust me-" answered. "And thanks,
awfully, squire. YOU'RE a triumph"
AS soon as we had started on our drive
home at once proceeded to tackle the old
boy boldly
Uncle" said, what an awfully good
story that little mistake about the hare
would make. l really think l must tell it
at dinner this evening""
Great heavens, Charlev' he cried, alb
solutely aghast, and only kept from being
furious by the knowledge that had him
ION toast." "I-I-beg you'll nothing Of
the kind"
We'll" returned I, looking him straight
in the face and thanking my stars he was
so touchy on all questions of sportsman
ship, 1T must be case of mutual forbear-
ance. And if it's mum about the hare, it
must he mum about the housemad."
think my uncle would have liked to an
initiate me, dear old chapl But he an
swercd quite mildly:
Very we'll Nice bright evening, ell?
think we shall get n frost. "-London Truth
Hall y,,. Snt.