New-York tribune., 1900-03-04

MIN kicking and wrggling to the edge of the
pool In another moment the unhappy bainT
was standing waist deep in water.
'Noo" he continued, laying his watch on the
grass. I'll gle ye three minutes to max up
your mind and If by that time ye're aye OBJ
stnate. head over heels ye go into the deep
bit"
For minute there was silence between the
two men, broken only by the swish of the
stream and the tapping of the water against
the bailif's body; then the shepherd broke out
again.
No" he said, with the air Of who has
been pondering difficult question, Il Gamma for
the life o me max out what in the world CARED
ye venture sac far frae hame. Ance afore-it
was lang syne-a baIlif cam here and what he
got was a warnin' to them that cam after him.
He was big man; but what CARED you. a man
o your size, daur Gamma think. Ye wad dae
Weel eneuch, I've doot, amang the shilpit
bodies that bde where you cam frae. But to
come here-it's a perfect insult to the muirs.
Just figure you and mucke Jock Shier'-and at
the imaginative picture the shepherd
vulsed with silent laughter.
Meanwhile-fOr he a conscientious man
struggle was in progress in the bailiff's heart.
For the first minute his resolution stood firm by
his duty. But gradually the ice cold Of the
water seeped through his clothes, through his
skin, into his very bones His legs ached and
shivers went through his whole body. The cold
crept steadily upward. seeming to eXpel all the
blood from his legs; as it advanced his resolution
began proportionately to wane, and he to think
ne had better make the best of a bad business.
The struggle with his conscience was short. He
looked at the dark. deep hole where the stream
FLASHED into the pool, and shuddered. The strug
gle was over. He had stood by his duty long
enough. Surely it would lie folly to go further
So when the time had expired, and the shep-
herd asked his decision, L suppose I'll haze to
dae it," he said but III Pay ye out yet"
Never fash yourser about that said the
shepherd. Come moo and vel haze Il crack
wi yon saumon."
With an i'll grace the baliff took the hooks and
addressed himself to his unpleasant task At
first he made little attempt to catch the fish He
had vague hope that in time relief would
come from some quarter, and he put off the evil
moment. Meanwhile the shepherd taunted him
from behind.
Eth, man! ye hae little skill The saumon's
playing Wi ye. Div ye no see he's fair lauchn
at ye? And, by the way, baiIif.-about that
visit OF To the cOurt-will it be sune, div
ye think. will pit it ar indefinitely? Per
sonally I would recommend the last way-but
ony way ye like"
But taunts were of no avail. The bailin did
not in the least feel his honor offended. and his
efforts still lauguid. At last the shepherd
grew impatient
See here" he said. it's use delayin
Ye've got TO catch that saumon, and If ye dnna
be smart I'll pit ye in the water again. BY the
way" he added casually, here's Jock Shiel him
sell comm If I were you III hurry up and
catch that fush afore onybody saw me"
The baiIiT glanced round, and there, sure
enough. the six foot Of stalwart shepherd came
in leisurely fashion down the road. His last
hope fled. There vas nothing to be expected
from the conner whom he knew as no
torous poaCher Besides. it was better that
there should be witness To his deed. So he
dogPedIy recalled his ancient sklI, ana set him
self 10 catch the salmon with all speed. with
much art he gradually drove the fish upward
on to the shadows.
Fine man. said the shepherd approvinEly
Il kecned ye were juist shammIn. It's no III
TO see we've been at the business lfore. Set i
thief to catch thief and max 4 poachcr into l
baiiff. Ye haze Skin after n. Great. mani
great! Just be cautious, noo-eaut!ous- -canny
and there ye hae him"
And just as Jock cane UP The slit'crinE back
was landed at his feet.
Man, Jock" said the shepherd. "ye're over