The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-09-21
L0HElR HUNTER.
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Long years ago when the fairies
still used their power there lived a
young man named Lohier. He was
good looking and not without wit,
but the poor fellow had one misfor-
went out hunting and yet he obsti-
nately persisted in hunting all the
same.
What a rare thing among COM
mon people at that time, Lohier had a
pretty home of his own-the gift of
generous lord whose life he had saved.
1t was made up Of a cottage beside
little pool Of fish, a few 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.
It was in vain that he set out at the
break Of day, his rifle on his arm, and
his dog, Pataud, at 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 he came home the
unfortunate hunter had the same re-
ception. His wife, Paulette, over
Whelmed him-With reproaches, zazys~- a.
--~e Jsuafiy~~Euhier bore it with good
grace and was only bent the more on
going hunting.
However, one evening he came back
in a bad humor, after having spent
in vain his whole provision of pow
der He found at 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 I.ohier,
while they were drinking each others
healths. ''What present do you wish
me to make you for your marriage?'
His cousin ansv cred, jol&ingly: "Oh,
I'm not hard to please. Just bring me
a few tine pieces Of game for the
wedding breakfast. That will be easy
for a hunter like you"
quite angry as he saw the other smil-
blow with his fist. he said: Don't you
believe that if wished to take the
trouble I should be as good hunter as
any Of you?'
'Proye it then," answered the young
men, who were much amused at his
anger.
''That's easy enough" retorted the
imDrudent Lohier carried away by
self love: If after two days l do not
bring you six rabbits ard twelve par
tridges shot with my own hand,
will give you my house and property,
without any conditions.''
''Agreed!' they all cried. And the
young men came, one after another,
to take the open hand Of Lohier as a
sign of the agreement. Then they all
went away.
Paulette laughed no longer. And the
as William and his companions had
disappeared she filed the house with
her lamcuta tons cLd 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 ar3 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, *tHere 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 OF Lohier.
He did rot dare go back to the house,
where nothing awaited him but the
complaints and reproaches Of Pau
1ette.
'AIy 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 I shall certainly have lost the
prosperity which I risked so foolish
1y."
When he had finished his frugal
meal, the fresh water spring bubbling
,up from a gray rock allowed him to
refresh himself. Then he stretched
himself out sadly on the briars, where
sleep did not delay finding him.
It was near midnight when the hun
. ter awakened with a start. He was
stupefed at the sight before him. In
the midst of deep darkness, for the