The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1895-10-10
L0HEIR HUNTER.

good looking and not without VIII,
but the poor fellow had one mlsfor-
une He never succeeded when he
went out hunting and yet he obstl-
nately persisted in hunting all the
same.
What 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
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.
1t was in vain that he set out at the
break of day, his rifle on his arm, II
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 ill luck.
There is no need to say that the peo-
pie of the of the village laughed loud
w 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.
Usually Lohier bore it with good
grace and was only bent the more on
going hunting.
However, one evening he came back
in Il 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 a good
humor.
"See here, William" cried Lohier,
while they were drinking each others
healths. "What present do you wish
me to make you for your marriage?"
His cousin ansv cred, jokingly: ION,
I'm not hard to please. Just bring me
Il few fine pieces of game for the
| wedding breakfast. That will be easy
for a hunter like you"
This displeased Lolier, who became
| quite angry as he saw b other snii-
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 as
any of you?
'Prove it them" answered the young
men, who were much amused at his
anger.
THAT'S easy enough" retorted the
imprudent 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, l
x-t1J .riro WON ~ hntICn md nJsnnnltN
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 al
went away.
Paulette laughed no longer. And the
as William and his companions ha(
disappeared she filed the house will
her lamentations aLd overwhelmed
her husband with her r~eproaches
"Do you wish to have us ruined|
she said, weeping. after two days
we shall be baggars without a roo
to our heads, for you are too clums.
to win this wretched bet
Lohier answered, sharply, though a
heart he trembled. asking himself
how he should get out of this evi
plight.
With the morning he set forth, &c
companied by his faithful Pataud
who said plainly in the language o
dogs, "Here we go again to miss on,
game"
The first days results showed tina
the wise Pataud was right. Not al
animal with fur or feathers hat
been touched by the shots OF Lohier
He did rot dare 20 back to the house
where nothing awaited him but tn
complaints and reprOaches of Pau
lette.
"My poor comrade," he said to hi
dog, as he shared with him the re
mainder of his bread. | think we. shal
have to get used to poverty. To-mor
row | shall certainly have lost til
prosperity which | risked sc foolish
ly."
When he had finished his fruga
meal, the fresh water spring bubblin!
up from n gray rock allowed him t
refresh himself. Then he stretche,
himself out sadly on the briars, whcr
sleep did 10 delay finding him.
1t was near midnight when the hun
ter awakened with a start. He wa
stupefied at the sight before him. Il
the midst of deep darkness, for til
moon did not shine that night, tn
!, gray rock had grown luminous, Will
the water of the spring, sometime
blue and sometimes rose color. scenes
to sparkle with sapphires and rubies
{ Lohier remembered that the old me
t of the country called this "the fairies
rock" because, they said. those mys
terious beings held council there. A
idea suddenly entered his mind, an,
l he cried out with a loud Voice:
l Fairy of the briars, have pity on
wretched man! Help me to kill to
morrow the six hares and the twelv
cartridges which will permit me t
keep my home"
. 1t seemed to him that a voice O
u crystal mingling with the murmur @
the spring, and repeated softly:
n "SiX hares and twelve partridgcs?'
q "ies, yes; nothing but that" lie III
swered. 81 shall own you more tina
l. life itSelf!'
, A beautiful flame, brilliant rs a di;
Is mond, escaped from the summit of tn
n rock, which became dark and gra
once more.
y at is h e fairy who has gone away.
e thought Lohier, full of hope, and Il
a turned over and slept again.
The next day when the sun ha
a arisen, he was afraid he had simpl
dreamed. But scarcely had he loade
his rife to begin the hunt when frol