The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-19

elm-shadowed and half a mile in length.
The major twice or thrice attempted to
propitiate the guard.
ITS really absurd" said the major, ito
expose one TO so ridiculous charge. I've
told you already my good fellow, that I'm
going up to Erlscote on a visit
so you ave" said Velveteens, swinging
the dead hare in one hand and the pleas
ant in the other as he walked.
"I'll give you," said the major. cropping in
his pocket, in order TO be quite sure that
he could fulfill his promise there and then.
'I'n give you fifty shillings to let me walk
up quietly to the door and explain myself. ="
III do all the explaining said Vel
veteens. Whatever explaining there Is to
explain 1 will explain. I've been after this
man ever since / was child in arms. and
I've got i'm at last rei-'anded And you
as is accomplish! Here you are
The major. in place of walking up TO
Erlscote Castle as he had hoped and leav-
ing a card at the front door, was ushered
in at the back. 1t would have been at any
moment too ignoble to run, and a stand-up
fight with the man in curduroy would have
been a foolish thing on many grounds apart
from that tired feeling which had fol-
lowed long illness.
You go and tell his lordship he's got to
do little bit of beak here" said Vel
veteens. i've got the most notorious
poacher in the country, and I've caught i'm
| red 'anded.'
So the word was passed and in a little
| while the overable Jones and the major
were ushered into the presence of his
lordship, a somewhat understood, dark
| haired, youngish man, who smiled at the
first sight of the major and then composed
his countenance to hear the story. Vel
veteens put some emotion into the narra-
tive. Man and boy, he declared with
solemnty, he had known this present
Jones as an arrant poacher, and had never
| until this fortunate hour been able to lay
hand upon him. The other party, he
confessed, he did not know; but he had
| seen him with his own hands receive and
stow away these present prizes. He waved
the hare and the pheasant, and then
| respectfully deposited them upon the mag
| isterial desk.
II understand you." said his lordship, "to
! say that you are Major Adcock, of the
| Onety-oneth, and that you are recently in
valided home from the Transvaal In that
| body who will go bail for you under these
exceedingly suspicious circumstances"
Il don't care said the major, IF your
| lordship will excuse me for saying so, to
| incur the ridicule which will inevitably at
tach to such an affair as this; but l am
quite willing to pay your man anything you
| may demand, and as one gentleman to
another
| His lordship interrupted him coldy
Prisoner at the bar, your offense is
very clearly proved, and the sentence of
| this court upon you is that you be fined
| one dollar, which the Bench will pay, and
| that you stay for dinner. L have nursed
| this coin,' said his lordship, opening a
| drawer at his hand and throwing a five
| shilling piece upon the table, for nine
months. old chap. but 1 never thought that
| l should get 1t back in such lucky hour.
Good gracious. major! L beg your pardon.
| forgot to introduce myself. But don't you
| remember Jevons?'
copyrighted, 1857