Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1901-12-27

"hfp VftI lne Puiy pdtk lndue MIN
spurn the roadway dust more vigor-
ously TWAS early enough to be sure,
but the earlier the better for anyone
with longing to see a good dog draw
down to point hard and fast by some
bunch OF weeds or fence corner. At
the corner Of willow hedge where
another side road came int the main
highway there was second road cart
standing still, the driver Of which
was evidently uncertain as to whore
he was. He was at that minute up on
top Of rail fence near by, and was
shading his eyes While licking to the
west. In his carr was AIRED setter dog,
gun, and all the psraphernslis that
distinguishes the hunter. He was
dressed in regulation suit Of brown
duck clothing and appeared to be
young fellow of some rs years. He
caught sight Of the girl and sprang
from his perch. Lifting his cap he
hailed her and said: 81 beg million
psrdons, but can you tell me where
the Hodge farm is?''
Diana Clark looked at him for =
full minute before she replied. Here
was man who was going cut there
to break into those bevies of which
the Hodges had written to the Judge
about Then the spirit Of the true
hunter flashed up. She smiled invol-
UNFAIRLY; very sweet smile it was,
perhaps trife of comical regret in it,
and said: Straight ahead two miles,
| am going there now"
ooh! l beg your pardon said the
young fellow 'You are going to
hunt to-day, too, Isee."
yes replied Diana
Well RESPONDED the somewhat
embarrassed sportsman, 81 don't
want TO cut in and spoil sport. Ihave
an invitation from Mr. Hodge to come
out and take day at the quail" he
added.
"After all" he went on, "we're all
good fellows who love field sports, and
you are very kind to give me Che direc-
ton My name is Tom Wilson, and
| don't see why we can't hunt the
farm together. OF course, if you per-
mitted me, l should prefer to give you
the best shots"
"You are very geBerous as to that,
said Diana. my name is Clark and
have heard my father speak of you
as being a very good shot"
Judge Clark" said Wilson, de-
lighted; 81 met the Judge in the north
one fall after canvasback."
SO the two carts drove down the
road towards Hodges As they
reached the next hedge the girl, who
was driving ahead, drew up with an
exclamation. There, sitting comfort
ably in the hedge, was splendid bevy
Of quail, fully 20 birds, big and hand
some. Il would like about Is shots
at that beyy," said Diana.
"Well," said her companion, you
take Is shots first and then I'll be-
gin"
"All right" responded Diana, as
she jumped out of the cart and
hitched her pony before Wilson could
come forward to assist her. The two
dogs, who had been making frantic
efforts to get acquainted, now came
1 forward, and after a minute or two
soon started into the covey. The
quail had slipped through the hedge
and were in pasture, oyergrown with
scattered grass. They skirted the
hedge and soon Rex stiifened to a
point, Diana stepped forward and
the beyy rose. She picked an outside
cock quail with her right hand bar
rel and he came down stone dead, the
feathers flying from him in a cloud.
With her left hand shot she covered
a bird which was Swerying over the
hedge and was sure she had scored
Wilson went around the hedge with
his dog and found il all right
81 wonder if that was an accident, +"
he said to himself. Hang me if she
didn't draw down on that bevy like a
veteran. 1t must have been chance
shot, that last Bird he unused. The
bevy had crossed the hedge and gone
into the corn field. Diana and Will
son then climbed the fence, and Will