Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-12-24

birds had been obtained by the Ihlacn-
ers or whatever was the reason. there
was no poaching that night, but the
next there was more firing. and ID the
morning the keeper declared that he
must have been prevented from haar-
ing 1t by bis deafness The earl was
In quandary. This was the third
keeper he bad tried within mouth
They had al made excuses for not pre-
venting poaching and all the reasons
given were very iiimSy. But what was
the use Of discharring one keeper
when the next one employed was no
more eifectiveg
The night before Christmas eve-that
Is. two nights before Christmas day
ms George Anderson went on duty be
was met by the Lady Maude. who said
to him:
There is something I would like to
say 10 You, but should not.
There's no fun. Lady Maude in say
ing only what we should say"
Perhaps had better tell you. II I
don't something might happen. Papa
called today for some old clothes of
one Of the tenants. | have found cut
what use be purposes to make OF
them
What Is ity''
Hes going cut to play poaehcr on
his own preserves. ] fancy IL Is to
find out why you are not dealing
harshiy with the real poachers. have
been afraid that II | didn't warn you
you might sheet him by mistake"
That's very wise OF you"
The girl PASSED on. and Anderson
went to the wood. He kept wide
awake during the night. listening for
shot. About midnight he heard
bang not far away and went stealth.
ily toward where the sound had seem
ed to be. on the way be heard anoth-
or shot so near that. fearing to be dis
covered. he took position behind tree,
from whence be saw a poacher picking
up bird.
1.-THE old skinsiiut Is doing the killing
for his own table" he unused
There WIS snow on the ground and
a rising moon. These together ena-
hled the Keeper to distinguish the earl.
Anderson waited TIL the latter brought
down another bird and when II was
being taken up fell upon him. seized
his gun and. throwing IL away, gave
him a sound drubbing. Then. selzing
him by the collar, be hustled him to
the fence and threw him over II Into a
ditch.
Waiting near to make sure that Mer-
ivale was not seriously injured aud
seeing his bedragglcd figure limp
away. Anderson. instead Of resuning
his watch. went 20 his room. where be
sat down at a table and wrote the fol-
lowing:
NOTICE.
Tomorrow being Christmas. permission
Is given for tenants and nsiEhtsors to
shoot IN my preserves what game ls need
ed for q Christmas dinner.
Having prepared this information. be
took II. with hammer and tacks. to the
gateway Of the estate and tackled II In
conspicuous position. Then. return
ing TO his room. he went 60 bed.
The next day Lord Merfvale kept bis
room. Just before noon he heard a
banging in his grounds that sounded
as II II battle were being fought there.
With difficulty gettinG out OF he'd and
into his clothes. be went downstairs.
On the portico he encountered Ander'
son talking TO hts daughter, Lady
Maude. The former had thrown on HIS
keepers dress for the costume Of
western American. The latter seemed
TO be ia state Of excitement
What means this tiringT" demanded
Merivale
'-The roor are killing birds for their
Christmas dinners" returned Ander-
son.
THE poor! Killing my birds for
Christmas dinner
killing my birds by my permission
Your birds? BY your permission'
Who are you 90 talk Ike thisf'
Il am the owner Of this estate. Lis.
ten, uncle. Your older brother, Ralph.
a quarter Of century ago went 10
America. There he became a cowboy
and was killed in an encounter with Il
party OF Indians. Some years ago you
sent an agent TO America who learned
and reported-doubtiess 10 your salts
faction-this fact. but your agent failed
to discover that there had been a mar
riage between your older brother and
the daughter OF rancher. ! sprane
from that marriage l am your brother
Ralph's son"
As this brief story developed Meri-
vale turned pale. After pausing a few
moments at this point the narrator
continued:
"My father left the proofs OF his
identity with my mother. When be
came Of age few months ago she told
me that was the grandson OF an Eng.
Iish noblemaD. came here TO learn
the situation. I came as stranger. for
II | found that was entitled 10 this
estate and II was In worthy hands I
might decide not 10 make myself