The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-17

W&$N&W always making fuss
NgfQSANM over. The one or the
1850 other are continually
licking his hands or sit
ting in his lap from morning until night, so
that if one knows Merryweather as we'll as
do, there is nothing surprising in coming
suddenly upon him, as often have, sitting
in the chair before the fire, with Gypsy Maid
and her latest litter Of eight tiny fox hounds
yelping in his lap, or reading aloud to some
body or others brood of six children, draped
all over him like presents on q Christmas
tree. But the grown-ups like him, too. The
men worship him, and their wives assume
motherly attitude and affect to regard him
as & brand to be piucked from the burning.
When Merryweather and l graduated,
hebouyht a small farm, several good horses,
and took up fox-hunting where he left off
bciorc he went to college; while I, on the
contrary, studied law, married, and after a
number OF years of hard work acquired
small practice which begins at last to pay.
The point I wish 10 make clear is, that
Mcrrywcather, when he asked me to visit
him for fox-huGting, was as hard and strong
as ten-penny nail, while was as soft and
tabby as could be after years of desk work
and quick lunches.
Rawdon wrote me that the hunting was
tins this Fall; and as he had not seen me
Tor year, he wished that I would come up
some Friday, spend Saturday and Sunday,
and 80 out with the Pickerel Hounds.
had not been very well Of late, and 50
RawGon' S invitation seemed the very thing,
and went. Priscilla, that's my wife, and
Bill, that's my eldest, he's six, and little
Marjory, ali kissed me; and Priscilla looked
so worried and sept saying so often, do be
careful, John, - that the children, taking the
Cue from her. i,sped Poor daddy" until
felt Ealf dead already, and for moment
thought OF teiSsta phing Rawdon Too sick
to come; whiting" but put the thought
away as unworthy of me.
1t was late aud quite dark when I reached
Denvon, and the little station seemed to
Threaten me sioomily. But as stepped off
the train Nawdon rushed forward and in a
mon.cat was cracking my knuckles together
IN has great HAND, Ia that enthusiastic but
painful way he has, and already began to
fetl like different man.
Here, John, SAID he, give me your bag
and III! chuck it under the seat" and he
tossed it easily into the back of the big
wheeled yellow break-cart. Then he sprang
up into the cart and held up the robe for me,
until had it tucked in well around me. He
picked up the reins and laid the lash play
fully across our steed's quarters. After
wards, when the din had ceased and could
hear what he was saying, Rawdon told me
the horses name was Cricket, as though that
explained why he should try to kick the
dashboard out of the cart six times in quick
succession the moment he felt the whip
Rawdon must have seen the expression of
my face, or noticed the way l held on to
the side Of the cart, for he roared with
laughter in his big, hearty way.
That's nothing" he said at last, "wait
until you see Cleopatra tomorrow, when
first she hears the hounds or the horn. She
makes Cricket look like tiddlywinks cont
pared to football, but you'll like her; she's
little bundle Of nerves and courage.
nde her on a snaff1e, though she docs take
hold somewhat at frst-and you'd think
she meant to bolt, but it 5 all just her play,
you know" l didn't speak for a minute.
1t was the appropriate moment for some
daredevil bon mot, knew, but somehow I
couldn't seem to do it, and swallowed hard
instead. was to ride Cleopatra. Rawdon
had just said 50; and Cleopatra made
Cricket look like tiddIywinks compared to
football, was bundle Of nerves and cour
age, and usually bolted at first, and Rawdcn
rode her on suaf]e bit. tried to remem
Der where had put my life-insurance policy
and couldn't. but l hoped Priscilla would be
able to ind it. At any rate the will made
her executrix.
Another quarter of a mile and we turned
in at gate and Rawdon sent the Cricket
at gallop up the driveway to the stable
0'rre two grooms with lanterns touched
forelocks in respectful silence and fell
u the Cricket and The hseak-cart with
i-,erish haste.
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