The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-03-18
LOHIER, THE HUNTER

man named Lohier. He was good look
ing and moi without wit, but the poor
fellow had one misfortune. He never
succeeded when he went out hunting,
and yet he o~bstinately persisted in hunt
ing all the same.
What was Q rare thing among com
mon people at that time, Lohier had a
pretty home of his own-the gift Of a
generous lord, whose life he had saved.
1t was made up of a cottage beside a lit
tie pool full of fish, a few acres of land
and q moor, where, doubtless there was
plenty of game under the broom and the
briers. This moorland was the torment
Of the poor mans life. twas in vain
that he set out at the break of day, his
rife 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 par
tridges and the little birds few up be-
fore him without h%urrying, as if they
knew his i'll luck.
There is no need to say that the peo-
pie of the village laughed loudly 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 reception. His
wife, Paulette, overwhelmed him with
her reproaches.
Usually Lohier bore it all with good
grace and was only bent the more on 60
ing hunting.
However, one evening he came back
in a bad humor, after having spent in
vain his whole provision of powder. 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 compliments, Paulette brought
out a jug of cider which put every one
in a good humor.
"See here, William, " cried Lohier,
while they were drinking each others
t,ealths. What present do You wish
me to make you for your marriageT"
His cousin answered, jokingly: "Oh,
I'm not hard to please. Just bring me a
few fine pieces of game for the wedding
breakfast. That will be easy for a hunt
er like you"
This displsased Lohier, who became
quite angry as he saw the other smil-
ing. So, striking the table a heavy blow
with his fist, he said: Don't you be-
lieve that if Iwished to take the trouble
/ should be US good a hunter as any of
your"
prove it, then, answered the young
man, who were much amused at his
anger.
That's easy enough" retorted the
imprudent Lohier, carried away by self
love. IF after two days | do not bring
you six rabbits and IL cartridges shot
with my own hand, l will give you my
house and property without any condi-
tons"
Agreed" they all cried. And the
young men came n after another to
take the open hand of Lohier as a sign of
the agreement. Then they all went
away
Paulette laughed no longer. As soon
as William and his companions had dis
appeared she filed the house with her
lamentations and overwhelmed her hus-
band with her ~reproaches. do you
wish to have us ruined:' she said, weep
ing. After two days we shall be beg
CARS without a roof to our heads, for
you are too clumsy tc win this wretched
bet"
Lohier answered sharply. though at
heart he trembled, asking himself how
he should get ont of this evil plight.
With the morning he set forth, accom-
panied by his faithful Pataud, who said
plainly in the language of dogs, Here
we 60 again to miss our game"
The first day 8 results showed that the
wise Pataud was right. Not All animal
with fur or feathers had been touched
by the shots of Lohier. He did not dare
60 back to the house, where nothing
awaited him but the complaints and re-
proaches of Paulette.
my poor comrade,' - he said to his
dog as he shared with him the remain
der Of his bread, Il think we shall have
10 get used to poverty. Tomorrow / shall
certainly have lost the property which l
risked SO foolishly."
When he had finished his frugal meal,
the fresh water of a spring bubbling up
from a gray rock allowed him to refresh
himself. Then be stretched himself out
sadly on the briers, where sleep did not
delay finding him.
1t was near midnight when the hunter
awakened with a start. He was stupe.
fed 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 some.
times rose color, seemed to sparkle with
sapphires and rubies. Lohier remember.
ed that the old men of the ountr call
ed this 1.-The fairies rock" because,
they said, those mysterious beings held
council there. An idea suddenly enter
ed his mind, and he cried oat with a
" loud voice:
Fairy Of the briers, have pity OH a
wretched man! Help me to kill tomor.
row the six hares and the IL partridges
which will permit me to keep my home"
IL seemed to him that a voice OF crys-
tai mingled with the murmur Of the
spring and repeated softly:
HH2 = IL