Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-30
CHAPTER TX.
A P0ACHER WE'LL PUNISHED.

A POACHER WE'LL PUNISHED.
General Harding's discharged keep
err is not long out of employment.
Within week he obtains another sit
uation; as regards pay and privileges
even superior to that he has lost.
His new master is city magnate,
combination of stockbroker and bill
discounter, who, having amassed for
tune by some rather questionable spec
ulations in foreign bonds, has come
down into the rural shire of Bucks to
attempt playing country squire-a role
not unfrequently affected by men OF his
class and kind, though not always with
success. Mr.. Whibley-for such is the
1inancier's name-has purchased the es-
tate adjoining that of Beechwoods, with
all its appurtenances, including man
orial rights, and the presentation to
small church living, an appanage OF the
property
This last he considers fine feather
in his cap, and so it is; since not only
does it give him the big pew in the lit
tie church, but also control of the in
cumbent; whom he enormously styles
rector sometimes varying it to
vicar. THE last title he bestows more
especially when the poor clergyman
says grace at his dinner parties-which
looks weu in the eyes of his guests.
most of them, like himself, gentlemen
r-oflthe Stock Exchange.
1t is hardly encessary to say that be-
tween the old soldier and the dealer in
doubtful bonds there is no cordiality-
indeed, there is not any intercourse.
For although the General has no par
ticular dislike to city men as a class,
he has to those of the Whibley sort
not only a dislike. but very decided
aversion.
.Upstarts!" he angrily exclaims,
when approached on the subject-"vul-
gar yagabonds, who come down here to
squeeze themselves into the society of
their betters-buy up everything with
the plumber of poor widows and or
phans-get themselves into the Com
mission of the Peace (pretty magis
trates they make, too)-give grand
spreads-have the hounds meet at their
house. aye, even have the audacity to
invitd Princes to be present at them.
/ lik4their impudence!",
- IN ehus describing them, he does not
eonfine himself to soliloquy, but speaks
openly and above board not caring a
straw who hears what he says or
whether his new neighbor may take it
to himself.
If the cap fits him, let him wear il"
is the Generals rejoinder to a friend
limiting at Mr.. whitley as the person
particularised. Plenty more of them,
for that matter, he adds. There's an
other fellow of the same style--a re-
tired tavern keeper, or tripe seller, or
something of the sort; live less than
three hundred yards from the parish
church, yet drives to service every Sun
day in carriage and pair! All for the
sake Of showing off. Confound such
vulgar ostentation!"
The financier, on first settling in the
neighborhood, had made an attempt to
escape acquaintance with the proprie-
tor of Beechwoods. This proving abor-
tive, there arose GOODNESS, though with
out any violent outbreak between them.
Later on, however, open war was de-
clared; its cause being a dispute about
boundaries, with the right of shooting
over a strip of common lying contigu-
GUS to their respective covers. The
case became one Of law, the General
gaining the suit, but leaving the dealer
in foreign bonds his determined foe
Little cares the old soldier for that, de-
spising his neighbor too much, or
deeming him helpless to do harm.
The dismissed gamekeeper, however
who just at this crisis comes in
benefits by the disposition of affairs;
since 1t is to their contention he owes
his new appointment.
By taking him into his service, the
spirited financier fancies he is doing a
neat thing-one that will give chagrin
to the General At which the latter
only laughs.
Spring approaches and the birds are
building their nests; some have laid
eggs and are Matching them when
General Harding gets to hear of sing
ular circumstances. 1t is reported to
him by his new gamekeeper, who, in
the pheasant preserve, has found sever
al nests-which he had noted as con-
tanning eggs-empty, but with no brok-
en- shells near to show incubation COM
pleted and the chicks gone out of them.
On the contrary, "signs" around Clear
ly proclaim the nests to have been
rified of their contents robbed beyond
doubt, but by poachers of a special, or
QUERY kind, as the keeper puts it.
For not only has be CHANGED upon plum
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