Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-07
SMITH GOES SHOOTING
He Regales His Wife With Accounts Of
His Mighty Workmanship
Then Comes the Sad Sequel, as It. Us,
ually Docs I'm Cases Similar
to His.

in the world her liege and lord was bring
ing home with him last Monday night when
her eXpectant eyes first observed his fa-
miliar figure careening around he corner
OF 10Th street. There was a queer-looking
canvas-covered contrivance in his hand,
and a bag of leather, with what looked
like section of fishnet on the outside of
it hanging from his shoulder, and bearing
down upon it as though the receptacle con-
tanned something mighty heavy. Mrs.
Smith was sure it was nothing for herself
or for the baby, and her curiosity was
simply on edge as Smithy came lumber
ing up the steps, his jolly face creased
with smiles and a general atmosphere Of
peasant anticipation pervading his sur
roundings.
what in the world are thos ,?' uueried
Mrs. Smith, after the kisses. as she pointed
to the freight he had deposited on the hall
| table.
I'm goin' huntin'." remarked Smith.
with his customary disregard of-final E's
Coin down on the marsh early in tho
| mornin'," he continued. II borried Bill
Jonese's gun an game bag, an got mi,
some cartridges comm home l tell yov,
darlin'. wen just feed ON reedies and orte.
Ian for a whole week.
Mrs. Smith Immediately qualked with
nervous tremor. She pctu in an Instant
in her ready minds eye how S. Sampson
would get mixed up with his gun and be
when he departed, despite fragments OF
him that were scattered over the dig
marsh. But Smith was equal to the emer-
gency, as he had been or different but
somewhat similar occasions before. He ex-
patiated upon his weil-known care and wis
dom in looking out for himself and then
went on and copiously recited his many eX-
periences with a shotgun, and the slaugh-
ter he had INDUCED in among birds and
beasts in the times gone by. By o'clock
he had Gained her fears. and by Q she was
preparing enough lunch for him to take
with him next day to feed four hired men
| and hunting deg. Right graciously did
she kiss him when he started off at day
break next morning in a cab he had en-
gagged to take him over to the Eastern
| branch, and when breakfast was over she
| loyalty carried out his instructions and
| went to Sister Lizzie's and Aunt Harriet's
| and sick Mrs. Tooders, and told them
Sampson had said not to get any meat for
| next mornin's breakfast as he was going
to send them some reed birds and ortolan
| when he got home at night.
The Return.
| It was dark when S. Sampson Smith re-
| turned to his Q street home He had gone
| in cab but he came back in a double
| team. He wnked with portentous meaning
| at the driver the equipage drew up in
| front of the house. and the Jehu smiled
| significantly in return. Mrs. Smith and
| Sister Lizzie, who had come to get her
all the promised round, ran down TO meet
| and greet the tired Nimrod. They were de-
| lighted at his safe return, and, overjoyed at
| the game he had brought.
Seven dozen reed birds.
Two dozen ortolani!
Two summer dUCk!ii
There was a peculiar aroma about the
| ducks that Sister Lizzie remarked upon,
| but S. Sampson cheerily in formed her that
| there was nothing unusual about it. Sister
| Lizzie took some reedies and ortolan. Aunt
| Harriet and Mrs. Tooder We're sent punches
| O. Doth, and then s. Sampson Smith sat
| aim down and proceeded to regale his wife
| with the story of his days sport. She had
always been sure her husband was more
| skllful than any one else in anything he
| undertook, and now she was delighted to
| find that he was simply unerTirg with a
gun. He told her how he killed this one
coming in and that one whirling down close
to the water and going through the wild
oats to the right.
You oughter seen me paralyze those
ducks, darln',' he calculated, with SWELL
ing pride. They came at me from both
sides, and / shot one from my right Shout
der and threw my gun across and downed
the other from my left shoulder Dog, if 1
don't think I'll join that Capital City Gun
Club and help teach those fellers to shoot
good enough to win a cup"
All the week S. Sampson Smith aired the
incidents of his day On the marsh. The
birds had been delicious. Mrs. Smith
thought. She grew hungry for more She
concluded she'd give S. Sampson a surprise
for his Sunday breakfast, so this morning
she tripped daintily down TO the fish and
game merchant she favored with her GUS
tom. She ordered a dozen reed birds and
q dozen ortolan.
You and Mr. Smith seem to be mighty
fond of marsh BIRDS" remarked the genial
dealer, as he gave her the change.
why, what makes you say that?" she
queried in surprise. having never bought
anything but fish from Mr.. Silver before.
"Nawthin'," responded he, preserving his
ratio, only thought so, seein' your hus-
band took all of 'em 1 had on hand last
Chewsday evenin'."
Neighbors will probably hear strange
sounds in the Smith residence tonight
S. Sampson Smith will have bacon, fried
for his Sunday breakfast.