The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-05-12
A SPORTSMAN.

"a sion. like HaWthorne. with only his
4 '.dog and his gun. on foot and unat.
tended by companion or keeper.
\ The sport was bad. the birds few and
shy. and he walked and walked in
search of game until. unconsciously, he
entered the domain Of some neighboring
squire. A very short time after he per-
ceived advancing toward him at the top
of his speed a jolly, comfortable gentle
man, followed by a servant. armed, as
it appeared. for conflict
Hello, you, sir!" said the squire
when within half earshot, What are
You doing here. sir, ehE
I'm shooting, sir, said Tom
''Do you know where you are. SIR
said the squire.
"l'm here, sir" said Tom.
Here. sir said the squire, growing
angry. And do you know where here
is. sir? These, sir. are my manors.
What dye think of that. sir--ehg"
''Why, sir. as td your inner said
Tom. II cant say they seem over.
agreeable.
II don't want any jokes, sir. said
the squire. ''Ihate jokes. Who are You.
sir? What are you?'
why sir. said Tom. my name is
Sheridan | am staying ut Lord Cra-
ven's. | have come cut for some sport
have not had any, and | am not aware
am trespassing.
"Sheridan!' said the squire, cooling
a little ooh. from Lord Craven's. eh?.
Well. sir, | could not know that, sir
r.
mo, sir. said Tom ''But you need
not have been in Il passion
Not in a passion, Mr.. Sheridan.
said the squire, You don know, sir.
what these preserves have cost me and
the pains and trouble have been at
with them. It's all very well for you to
talk, but if you were in my place |
should like to know what you would
say on such an occasion
''Why, sir, said Tom. ''if | We're in
your place, under the circumstances, /
should say. 4 I'M convinced, Mr. Sheri.
dan, yon do not mean to annoy me and
as you look a good deal tired, perhaps
you IL come up to my house and take
some refreshment.
The squire was hit and. it is needless
to add. acted upon Sheridan's sugges-
tion.
$50 far, said poor Tom, 1.-THE story
tells for me. Now you shall hear the
sequel,
After having RECALLED himself at tho
squire's house. and having said 800
more good things than he swallowed.
having delighted his host. and having
half won the hearts of his wife and
daughters, the sportsman proceeded on
his return homeward.
In the course of his walk he passed
through n farmyard. In front of the
farmhouse was a green. in the center of
which was Il pond. On the pond were
ducks innumerable. swimming and div
ing. on its verdant banks a motley
group Of gallant cocks and pert part.
let's. picking and feeding,
The farmer was leaning over the
match of the barn. which stood zeal
two cottages on the side OF the green.
Tom hated to go back with an empty
bag. and having failed in his attempts
at higher game it struck him as. a good
joke to ridicule the exploits Of the day |
himself. in order to prevent any one
else from doing it to him. and he
thought that to carry hofhe Il certain
number Of the domestic inhabitants Of
the pond and its vicinity w0uld serve
the purpose admirably Accordingly up !
he goes to the farmer and accosts him
very civilly
MY good friend, says Tom. II
make you an offer.
''Of what. sir says the farmer
why, replies Tom I've been out
all day after birds and haven't had a
shot Now. both my barrels are loaded. ,
| should like to take home something
What shall give you to let me have n
shot with each barrel at those ducks
and fowls. standing heie and to have
whatever | killy'
''What sort Of u shot are you!" asked
the farmer
Parrish, said Tom "fairish.
And to have all you kill!' said the
farmer 'Eh!
Exactly 50. said Tom.
..Three dollars. said the farmer
That : too much. said Tom an
give you u ~ bill, which happens to be
all the money | have in my pocket.
well said the farmer. ''hand it
over
The payment was made. Tom. true
to his bargain. took his post by the barn