The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-09-28
LOHIER, THE HUNTER

SLill ubeQ tIelr )OWer Inere lived q
young man named Lohier. He was
good looking and not without wit,
but the poor fellow had one uisfor-
tune. He never succeeded when he
went out hunting, and yet he OBJ
stinately persisted in hunting ell the
same.
What was rare thing among
common people at that time, Lohier
had pretty home of his own, the
gift of generous lord whose life
he had saved. 1t was made up of a
cottage beside little pool full of
fish, few acres of land and moor,
where doubtless there was plenty of
game under the broom and the
briers. This moorland was the tor
ment of the poor mans life. It was
in vain that he set out at the break
of day, his rifle on his arm and his
dog, Pataud, at his heels, to beat
the bushes until evening. Rabbits
and hares slipped away between his
feet, while the partridges and the
little birds few up before him with
out hurrying, as if they knew his i'll
luck.
There is no need to say that the
people Of the village laughed loudly
when they met Lohier with his emp
ty game sack and Pataud lowering
his ears. But when he came home
the unfortunate hunter had even
9 worse reception. His wife, Paul
ette, overwhelmed him with her re-
pFoaches.
Usually Lohier bore it all with
good grace and was only bent the
more on going hunting.
However, one evening he came
back in q bad humor after having
spent in vain his whole provision Of
powder. He found at the cottage
his cousin William, who was wait
ing for him with all his mates to
ask him to his wedding. After the
aast compliments Pauette brought
out Jug Of cider, which put every
one in good humor.
"See here, William" cried Lohier
while they were drinking each 9TH
ers health, "what present do you
wish me to make you for your mar
riage?"
His cousin answered jokingly:
<'Oh, I'm not hard to please. just
bring me few fine pieces Of game
for the wedding breakfast. That
will be easy for a hunter Like you"
This displeased Lohier, who be-
came quite angry as he saw the 9TH
er smiling. So, striking the table a
heavy blow with his fist, he said,
sDon't you believe that if I wished
10 take the trouble 7 should BE as
good hunter as any of you?"
"Prove it, then" answered the
young man, who was much amused
at his anger.
"That's easy enough" retorted
the imprudent Lohier, carried away
by self love. eff after two days T
do not bring you six rabbits and
twelve partridges, shot with my own
hand will give you my house and
property without any conditions"
"Agreedp they all cried. g And
the young men came one after an
other to take the open hand Of Lo-
hier as a sign OF the agreement.
Then they all went away.
Paulette laughed no longer. As
soon as William and his compan-
ions had disappeared she filed the
house with her lamentations and
overwhelmed her husband with her
reproaches. sDo you wish to have
us ruined ?'.' she said, weeping.
CATER two days we shall be beg
gars without roof to our heads,
for you are too clumsy to win this
wIetched bet"
Lohier answered sharply, though
at heart he trembled, asking him
self how he should get out Of this
evil plight.
With the morning he set forth,
accompanied by his faithful Pataud,
who said plainly in the language Of
dogs, Here We go again to miss our
game"
The first days results showed that
the wise Pataud was right. Not an.
animal with fur OF feathers had
been touched by the shots Of Lo-
hier. He did not dare go back to
the house, where nothing awaited
him but the complaints and ue-
proaches OF Paulette.
NY poor comrade," !" he said to
his dog az he shared with him the
remainder Of bis bread, 81 think we
shall have 10 get used TO poverty.
Tomorrow ] shall certainly have lost
the property (which T :risked 60 fool
ishly. &.
When he had finished his frugal
meal the fresh water Of q spring
bubbling up from q gray rock allow
ed him to refresh' himself: Then he