HIS OLD AGE. 



41 



Here, sheltered by the thick foliage of the fir and the 

 hawthorn hedge at his back from the wind, he can sit 

 on the log, and keep watch over a descending slope of 



THE SUPERANNUATED KEEPER. 



meadow bounding the preserves and crossed by footpaths, 

 along which loiterers may come. His sturdy son now 

 sways the sceptre of ash over the old woods, and other 

 descendants are employed about the place. 



Sometimes in the great house there may be seen the 

 counterfeit presentment of such a retainer limned fifty 

 years ago, with dog and gun, and characteristic background 



