The morning times., 1896-05-03
Saving Q
o OF Old g
Q MerrylegS.

copyrighted, 1886, by Gerald Brenan.)
''McHylegs'' was 10 Ice sold!
The ECwS brought CONSERVATION TO the
hearts OF every child at ConOver Grange
from Jack, the eldest OF the family, to
little Ethel, scarcely out of babys cloth
ing. But the younger Conovers knew their
grandfather, The squire-tEau stern, OBJ
S,inatc old soldier, tCo well to venture
upon any CPcn TcmCnstranCes. In their
own private playroCm they held sort
OF cOmDined laneutation and indigna-
hon ncruES. Ii Was cruel TO part with
MerFylt'E> -JnaI well-belUved horse up
on whCsc sturdy back each and all OF
Them had ridden.
Jack COnovcr wanucred from the play
room, leaving his brOtherS and sisters
10 commune IN sorrow. Almost uncon
sciously lie found himself graviIating
toward The stables; and once in tie
clean wCii-Swepl stdile-yar he naturally
turned in tie direction OF Me~ryleg's
box.
AT the box door Jack found Griffin,
the old head groom; ana Griffin looked
just as crestfallcn as he did himself
Its terrible thing, Master JaCki"
said The old groom, sadly-''a terrible thing!
Just 10 think of MerrylegS going TO be sold
AFTER all Ills services. But once the squire
gets nOtiOum his mead. you can'Uturn him.
He has decided that the horse is too old,
and that settles it,
Don't 'Ce cry, Master Jack said old
Griftin kindly. IN give you a last ride
on MeTylegs before he goes fer good
Jack frightened up instanter. You
WHIP be exclaimed. "Oh. let it be now
today. He is to toe sod tomorrow
After some consideration the groom con-
sented, and Merrylegs being forthwith
brldled and saddled, the boy trotted him
Eeaily out "l tie yard ana into the paddock
beyond. Once in tie paddock a great temp
tatlon stole over Jack to Ia ke MeIrylegs Tor
a good long jaunt He knew that his grim
grandparent had started out early that
morning with the pack OF hounds, whose
master he was. Col Cunover would not re-
turn until late in the afternoon.
The two companions, horse and rider,
enjoyed themselves hugely Jack was "a
born hOrSenan, as became the heir OF a
house which had chased the fox for five
centuries; and McrTylegs seemed to
know and appreciate the touch Of his
strong young hand on the reins. All
went well with the expedition, until sud
denly, Oh coming TO the summit OF a riS-
ing ground, the horse stood stock still
and priCkcd up his ears as though listening
iatently.
What could be The matter? For sew
eral minutes Jack was nOnpuSSed, until,
as the keen wind shifted in his direction.
lie understood the cause of Merrylegs'
action. For on the breeze was borne the
sound, the unmiStakable sound, OF a hunt
ing horn.
Jack gaZcd across the swelling downs,
and saw, in the distance. emerging from
behind q wooded knoll, The scrried line OF
first fighters which told him that TIE
gallant South DuwnShirC. his grandfather
own hunt, was sweeping in lis direction
Then be understood the erect ears and heay-
ing shoulders OF Merrylegs. Never was old
hunter yet that did not recognize the dis
tant music OF the horn, and long 10 join the
chase.
Almost as he turned Merrylegs' head aside.
something red darted across the open, and
vanished over the hilltop.
Jack 'sbeart gavea leap. The something -
in question was Master Fox-sly ReynarI
himself; and hot behind came the hounds,
stfinging across several fields, with noses
IN the air-for they had seen their prey
and needed not 10 follow the scent. Behind,
too. rode man in scarlet on a heavy bay
and Jack knew the man to be his grand.
father. Flight was uSeleSsnow. There was
No hing for ii but to await Colonel Con
overs wrath.
IL was at this critical juncturc that Merry.
legs took ii into lis head 10 run away.
Despite Jacks strenuous grip ON the reinS,
hc wheeled, and with whinny OF delight
bounded after the waving tails Of the rap.
idly disappearing dogs. Jack fancied he
heard "balloo" of angry protest from his
grandfather; but, learning after a few
frantic efforts that TO pull up was impossi
bic, lie sat back in the saddle resignedly
and took the corner fence on MerTylegs like
the manly little fellow he was.
".
When at last Jack vcntured to steal Z
glance behind he saw his grandfather ant
the rest OF the hunt numbering after him
Merrylegs was actually leaving them be
hind. A great JOY stole into tine boys soul
and he g1yethe reius a shake, urging on the
hraVa old hunter frpSh Nm