Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-30

erS-tne pneaSantS themSelyeS-lylng
dead, as it were, at their own doors!
No ordinary poacher would leave
1 such traces behind him; no man, save
one actuated by other motive than egg
stealing. There is malice at the bot
tom of it.
So conjectures General Harding's
keeper, as also the General himself,
while his younger son feels certain of
! 1t. The older, little given to sport,
takes no interest in the matter. But
! Henry, true disciple of st. Hubert, is
all anger about it-mad at the mas
| sacre of his birds, and determined to
| find out their murderer. His father,
seeing him thus resolutely disposed,
leaves the affair in his hands.
! AS first step, the young sportsman
gives instructions to his keeper to
| double the number of watchers, which
| is done. But, although these range
| the covers both by night and day, still
are eggs stolen and birds destroyed.
Within week several braces of pleas
ants are found lying stark and stiff be-
sides their eggless nests!
Who is the perpetrator of this whole
sale havoc? There can be but one man
capable of such slaughter, for it needs
capability, or at least an intimate
| knowledge where the birds are accus-
toned to breed. 1t must be a person
thoroughly acquainted with the covers
one who can worm his way through
them under the darkness of night, and
without making noise. Doggy Dick
could do that, and upon him suspicion
becomes fixed. Indeed, it is as good as
sure that the discharged keeper is the
culprit 1t only remains to catch him
in the act of his diabolical doings-in
fagrante delicto. Henry Harding,
with this design, sets his wits to work,
taking the new keeper into his conf
dence. But for time both are baff1ed.
Despite all their watchfulness, the nest
| robbing and bird-killing continue. Not
so much as before, for there are Meth
er so many eggs nor birds to practice
| upon; and with dismay the young
| sportsman contemplates his coverts,
that promise him but poor sport in the
shooting season to ensue.
At length, however, he bethinks
himself of a plan which gives hope of
| being able to find out and also punish
| the devastators of his preserves
Though knowing who it is circum5 tam
tally, he needs ocular evidence, such
as will satisfy the law, and has con-
trived a scheme to procure this. There
is fete coming off in park some six
or seven miles from Beechwoods; not
gentry's gathering, but an assemblage
of the people, with the usual rural
sports, during the day, to be followed
by fireworks at night. 1t is a gratu
itous affair, given by the owner of the
park, a gentleman of generous impul-
ses-some say of ambitious inclinings
and an eye to entering Parliament
who likes to see his humble neighbors
disporting themselves on his lawn.
All the rustic, world will be there, with
most of the servants of the surround
ing gentry, or as many of them as can
be conveniently spared from their do
nestle duties.
Those of Beechwood House are to be
no exception. Coachman, grooms and
gamekeeper, with an admixture of the
fair seX-the generals house and
kitchen maids-have permission to go,
with the drag placed at their disposal.
This arrangements is known
throughout the neighborhood several
days before that of the fete. There
have been pains taken to spread the
report of it-for a purpose.
The day at length arrives; and a
little after the hour of noon, the Cen
erals grand four-in-hand, with every
available seat occupied, is fooled out
of Beechwoods gate. and takes the
road toward the place of sports
On the box beside the coachman the
gamekeeper is conspicuous.
Just as the, drag drives off, Henry
Harding is also seen to leave the house
and bend his steps in the direction of
the game covers. He carries no gun,
for it is not the shooting season; nor
has he any dog with him. Only cane
of the supple sort known as Ma
lacca.'
Entering the preserves, he makes
his way toward their further side,
where they meet those of Mr.. Whib-
ley. Separating the two covers is
strip of waste of commons" land
the same about which was the lawsuit
that went against the stockbroker.
On its edge. but within the Beech
woods boundary, stands an ancient
elm, swathed and festooned with ivy.
Approaching this with stealthy tread,
and cautiously as though himself
poacher, young Harding clutches hold