The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1901-11-01

MS tagerntss.
Finally the red barn Of the Hodge
farm hove in sight and a twist Of the
whip over the pony's back made him
spurn the roadway dust more vigor-
ously. 1t was early enough to be sure,
but the earlier the better for anyone
with a longing to see a good dog draw
down to a point hard and fast by some
bunch Of weeds or fence corner. At
the corner Of a willow hedge where
another side road came into the main
highway there was a second road cart
standing still, the driver OF which
was evidently uncertain as to where
he was. He was at that minute up on
top Of a rail fence neal by, and was
shading his eyes while looking 10 the
west. In his cart was a red setter dog,
a gun, and all the paraphernalia that
distinguishes the hunter. He was
dressed in a regulation suit Of brown
duck clothing and appeared to be a
young fellow Of some 20 years. lie
caught sight Of the girl and sprang
from his perch. Lifting his cap he
hailed her and said: 81 beg a million
pardons, but can you tell me where
the Hodge farm is!"
Diana Clark looked at him for a
full minute before she replied. Here
was a man who was going out 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; a very sweet smile it was,
perhaps a ,rifle Of comical regret in it,
and said: straight ahead two miles,
| am going there now"
"Oh! ] beg your PARDON said the
young fellow. "You are going to
hunt to-day, too. | see
YES" replied Diana.
"Well," responded the somewhat
embarrassed sportsman, 81 don't
want to cut in and spoil sport. lhaye
an invitation from Mr.. Hodge to come
out and take a 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 the 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, | should prefer to give you
the best shots"
"Iou are very generous us 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 a splendid bevy
Of quail, fully 20 birds, big and hand
some. II would like about Is shots
at that bevy," said Diana.
well" said her companion. "you
take 10 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
forward, and after a minute or two
soon started into the covey. The
quail had slipped through the hedge
and were in a pasture, overgrown with
scattered grass. They skirted the
hedge and soon Rex stifrencd TO a
point. Diana stepped forward and
the bevy 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 swerving over the
hedge and vas SUI she had scored.
Wilson went around the hedge with
his dog and found ii all right.
81 wonder il that was an accident
he said to himself. "Hang me il sh,
didn't draw down on that bevy like .
veteran. 1t must have been q chance
shot, that last bird" he unused. Tn,
bevy had crossed the hedge and gon,
into the corn field. Diana and vii.
son then climbed the fence, and vii
sons dog whirled to a "button-hook'
point almost as soon as he struck III,