POACHING AGAIN. 369 



what he had got, he found a red card on the 

 peg, and the snare was gone. 



This sort of thing cured the labourers of 

 poaching just as well as a month in Chelmsford 

 gaol, or a sovereign fine, and caused a much 

 better feeling between us. 



I came up to Mr. Parker when he was 

 ploughing, and I said : " I've lost a red card 

 with my name on it, Parker ; if you happen 

 to run across it let me have it, will you?" 

 So we would crack a joke over it, and I would 

 quote the card : " Please stop the earths for 

 Wednesday." Then I would speak to him 

 seriously. " You had better stop the hares 

 from coming into your garden, Parker, by 

 putting some bushes in the runs." 



" I will, keeper." 



I never had any more trouble with him, and, 

 every now and again, I used to give him a rabbit. 



" Here's a rabbit for you, Parker, it will do 

 a great deal better than an old hare, which 

 would cost you a pound or a month in gaol." 



" A good deal better, keeper, and thank you 



kindly." 



24 



