Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-10-05
LOHEIR HUNTER.
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4 EMZANN1NNNA q L.MAAAAALs
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-
tune. He never succeeded when he
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 Il
generous lord whose life he had saved.
1t was made up of a cottage beside a
little pool of fish, 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, 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 ill luck.
There is no need to say that the peo-
pie of the of the village laughed loud
~ 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 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 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: "Oh,
I'm not hard to please. Just bring me
few fine pieces of game for the
wedding breakfast. That will be easy
for hunter like you"
This displeased 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
believe that if l wished tn take the
trouble | should be as good hunter as
any Of youY
Prove ii them" answered the young
men, who We're 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 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 I.ohier 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 filled the house with
her lameutation GLd eve -whelmpd
her husband with her reproaches.
do you wish to have us iTinedY"
she said, weeping. "After two DAYS
we shall be baggars without a roof
to our heads, for you arr 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. nc
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 reprcaches of Pau
lette.
My poor comrade," he said to his
dog, as he shared with him the re-
mainder Of his bread I think we shall
have TO get used to poverty. To-mor-
row | shall certainly have lost the I
prosperity which / risked so foolish I
ly."
When he had finished his frugal
meal, the fresh water spring bubbIinp 4
up from gray rock allowed him 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 hun
ter awakened with 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
,aea suddenly entered his mind, and
he cried out with a loud voice:
Fairy of the briars, have pity on a
man! Help me TO kin "a.
morrow the six hares and the twelve
partfidges which will permit me to
keep my home"