The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-20
A Virginian Page for Each Member OF the Family
HIS PROFITABLE RUSE
ny BRYANT q. ROGERS.

bring another pair and III pay you
at the house"
Jest SO, ma'am."
As AIR Bennett couldn't lift his hat,
he touched 1t and bent a. knee, and
the phaeton drove en-. II was a run
mile to the manor house, and he was
tired and hungry. but he walked the
distance. The watchdog was the first
to welcome him. and for a time ne
seenrf TO be wondering where TO
take his first bite. The cook replied
TO his knock st the kitchen door, and
as the ducks We're handed her she
said:
"T'l just bet this is some OF Miss
Carries work. she's been talking
ducks for two weeks. l hate 70 pick
'em. but 1 'spose III have to We
Amt got any cold victuals to-day or
I'd offer you seine"
Thanks, lust the same"
I'm glad to see you have manners.
Them what most of the folks around
here lack. I've lived in a family In
New York. and / know what's what"
The duck shooter went away laugh
ing. He smiled all the way home, and
he took that dollar from his vest
pocket and looked at il often. AS
matter of fact, 1t was the first dollar
he had ever earned. He would sell
the young lady more ducks. He would
carry tire etSe-f.ss- tss-iaRg as -he-E4ea-
mained there. When che had tired
Of ducks perhaps she would want
fresh fish. 1t was just n harmless
little Joke. Even the tavern keeper
didn't know enough about him to give
him away
On Thursday a second pair Of ducks
was taken up to the manor house.
The cook went off to notify Miss car
RE. and after moment that young
lady appeared and handed out a dollar
bill and said:
Those ducks were fine eating. and
] am glad OF these, You may bring
another pair on Saturday. and think
those Will be the last"
''Yes'nl. How about fsh?"
do you think you can catch any
nice large =anas ?"
I'm sure of it."
Then bring me one YOU think is
worth about q quarter A quarter
ought Ia get a good one
~ 'm--almost n whale
Don't you find hunting very wet
and exhausting work." asked the
young lady in sympathetic tones,
Very, ma'am, but one must %
something to support HIS family; YOU
know"
While MI Bennet's ago was TWEEN
ty-xix, he looked to be nearer forty
in his roughingtit outfit, and he
thought he heard his questioner sigh:
Poor man. as she turned away
The, Saturday ducks were delivered
AND paid for. and on Monday "a
whale Of a fish" was carried up and
sold for quarter.
Things were gaing on satisfactorily
when Mr.. Bennett got a start, He
had a day off from gun and rod and
had donned a business suit and was
stroIling around the village, when ne
met that pony phaetQn. There were
two girls In the vehicle He was
halted In his tracks by Miss Carries
calling. and when she had some
closer she said,
Il shall want another pair of ducks
tomorrow If you can shoot them"
she had identified him in spite OF
the other clothing and the loss of his
stuhble. And as Mr. Bennett was
looking at her in confusion the other
young lady reached out her hand and
said
MIR. Clyde Bennett, don't you know
an old friend whom you see her."
"Afiss Clements, of course. - =
And as you are shooting ducks and
catching fish for Miss Carrie Moreton,
Of course no introduction is neces-
sary."
Miss Carrie hlushed furinusiy
Mr. Bennett turned red and Miss
Clements giegled and wanted To know
what was the matter.
Like gentleman, Mr.. Bennett
went To his room and began PACK
ing UP TO leave on the morrow, but
Ike gentleman he remained and