The Dickinson press., 1895-08-17
NXXXXyZ
LonEIR HUNTER.
zS4z1zszz1zz&A 6zszz6MzzNi


nately persisted in hunting all the
same.
What a rare thing among COM
mon people at that time, Lohier had q
pretty home Of his own-the gift of q
generous lord whose life he had saved.
1t was made up Of cottage beside
little pool Of fish, rev acres Of land.
and a moor, where doubtless, there
was plenty Of game under the broom
and the briars. The moorland was
the torment Of the poor mans life.
1t was in vain that he set out at the
break of day, his rifle on his arm, and
his dog, Pataud, Mt his heels, to beat
the bushes until evening. Rabbits
and hares slipped away between his
feet, while the partridges and the lit
tie birds flew up before him without
hurrying as If they knew his i'll luck.
There is no need to say that the peo-
pie of the Of the village laughed loud
ly when they met Lohier with his
empty game sack and Pataud lowering
his ears. But when lie came home the
unfortunate hunter had the same re-
teption. His wife, Paulette, over
whelmed him with reproaches.
Usually Lohier bore it with good
grace and was only bent the more on
going hunting.
However, one evening he came back
in bad hulnor, after having spent
in vain his whole provision of pow
der. He found ut the cottage his
cousin William, who was waiting for
him with all his mates to ask him to
his wedding. After the first compli-
ments, Paulette brought out a jug Of
cider which put every one in good
humor.
"See here, William" cried Lohter,
while they were drinking each Others
healths. "What present do you wish
me to make you for your marriage?"
His cousin ansv cred, jokingly: "Oh,
I'm not '!>. :" licase. Just bring me
a few fine pieces of game for the
wedding breakfast. That will be easy
for hunter like you"
This displeascd I4ollier, who became
quite angry as lie saw the other smil-
ing. So, striking the table a heavy
blow with lis fist. he said: Don't you
believe that If wished to take the
trouble should be as good hunter AZ
any of youY'
"Prove it then," answered the young
men, who were much amused at his
anger.
'"rhat's easy enough" retorted the
fmprudent Lohier carried away by
self love. If after two days do not
bring you six rabbits ard twelve par
tridges shot with my own hand, I
will give you my house and property,
without 0nV conditions"
"Agreedw they all cried. And the
young men came, one after another,
to take the open hand of Lohier us a
sign Of the agreement. Then they all
went away.
Paulette laughed no longer. And the
Us William and his companions had
disappeared she filed the house with
her lamentations GLd overwhelmed
her husband with her reproaches.
''Do you wish to have us ruined?'
she said, weeping. "After two days
we shall be baggars without roof
to our heads, for you ara too clumsy
to win this wretched bet
Lohier answered, sharply, though at
heart he trembled, asking himself
how he should get out Of this evil
plight.
With the morning he set forth, ac-
companied by his faithful Pataud,
who said plainly in the language Of
dogs, "Here we go again to miss our
game"
The first days results showed that
the wise Pataud was right. Not an
animal with fur or feathers had
been touched by the shots o. Lohier.
lie did rot dare 20 back to the house,
where nothing awaited him but the
complaints and reproaches of Pau
lette.
"Niy poor comrade," he said to his
dog, as he shared with him the re-
mainder Of his bread. think we shall
have to get used to poverty. To-mor-
row l shall certainly have lost the
prosperity Which l risked so foolish
ly."
When he had finished his frugal
meal, the fresh water spring bubbling
up from gray rock allowed MIN to
refresh himself. Then he stretched
himself out sadly ON the briars, where
sleep did not delay finding him.
1t was near midnight when the hum
ter awakened with q start. He was
stupefied at the sight before him. In
the midst of deep darkness, for the
moon did not shine that night, the
gray rock had grown luminous. while
the water Of the spring, sometimes
blue and sometimes rose color, seemed
to sparkle with sapphires and rubies.
Lohier remembered that the old men
Of the country called this 'the fairies
rock" because, they said, those mys-
terious beings held council there. An
idea suddenly entered his mind, and
he cried out with a loud voice:
''Fairy Of the brlars, have pity on Q
wretched man! Help me to kill to-
morr" the six hares and the twelve
partrfdges which will permit me to
keep my home."
1t seemed to him that a voice of
crystal mingling with the murmur of
the spring, and repeated softly:
six hares and twelve partridgesY
Eyes. yes; nothing but that" he an.
swered. II shall own you more than
life itselfw
A beautiful fame, brilliant as dia-
mond, escaped from the summit of the
rock, which became dark and gray
once more.
ut Is the fairy who ff;is gonc awey,"
tb' .-nt Lonier, full of hope, and he
turned over and slept again.
The next day when the sun had
arisen, he was afraid he. had simply
dreamed. But scarcely had he loaded
his rife to begin the hunt when from
every point of the moorland there
came toward him in crowds rabbits,
partridges, pheasants, quail and snlpe.
Soon the little open space, in the midst
Of which the gray rock rose, was so
filled that Lohier had scarcely room
to stand.
Crazy with joy, he began firing into
this crowd Of animals. Every one of
his shots brought down five or six
pieces of game. But Lohier, who had
never seen such luck, shot without
tiring himself until Pataud was the
only living being near him. He left
the brave dog to guard his treasure
and ran home out of breath