70 Charlie Wildoats. 



day the latter, fairly losing his temper, told him point 

 blank that he'd trouble him to pay his subscription 

 like the rest if he intended coming out again. That 

 very day, as it happened, the hounds had a wonderful 

 run, the best they had had all the season, indeed; 

 fifty minutes without a check, winding up with a kill 

 in the open. Our friend, who, as usual, rode like a 

 demon, trotted up to the Squire after the hounds had 

 broken up their fox, and, clapping the worthy gentleman 

 on the back as if he had known him all his life, said, 

 "Well, old boy, that was a devilish good run, 'pon my 

 soul, that it was ; a devilish good run, and does you and 

 your bow-wows credit ; it does indeed ! I tell you what, 

 when I get home I'll hunt about and see if I can't find a 

 pony for you, and if I do I'll send it you to-morrow, by 

 Jove I will ! " How delighted the old boy was at this 

 speech may be imagined. 



Charlie was considerably sold once, though, when 

 staying in a certain country house, by one of his 

 little jokes not coming off at all in the way he expected. 

 There happened to be staying, amongst others, in the 

 house, a quiet, demure little old gentleman, Scumbler by 

 name. Mr. Scumbler was unlike the other guests who 

 were there, simply for such amusements as the house 

 afforded. No ; he combined business with pleasure, and 

 whilst the house party were busy shooting the covers, 

 driving wild partridges, or pursuing the fox every 

 day, he was engaged in a temporary atelier, touch- 

 ing up and restoring a lot of the old family 

 pictures. At dinner the old gentleman would put 

 in his appearance, and very pleasant he would 

 make himself, for he had travelled in many countries, and 



