44 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



" No, sir, it was my brother." 



" Well," said Mr. Russell, " if I stand for you will you come 

 and pay ? Do you mean to pay ? " 



" Yes, your honour." 



Turning to the smithy. Parson Jack said, " Let him have the 

 mare ; if he does not pay I will." 



A week or two later, when again passing the forge, he asked 

 if the Gypsy had paid. 



" Yes sir, every penny, and many thanks to you." 



It was these kindly acts that endeared Mr. Russell to people ; 

 nobody who went to him for advice and help was ever sent 

 empty away. Everybody knew he was not well off in worldly 

 goods, and I think his generosity out of what he possessed, and 

 the way he trusted people, made them straight in return. 



I cannot help feeling that if I had volunteered to stand 

 surety for the Gypsy, the blacksmith would have sworn he 

 had never received a penny, then have collected the amount 

 from me and the purchaser, and appeared aggrieved with us 

 both. 



For about two years, when at Swymbridge, Mr. Russell gave 

 up his hounds in consequence of the way he was worried 

 financially and morally. Some of his kind relations and friends 

 never ceased telling him he was on the high road to ruin ; that 

 he neglected his duties, etc. 



He felt very lonely and miserable without his hounds, and 

 when one day he was told six and a half couple were again 

 standing in his kennel, a gift from his old friend Harry Fellows, 

 he was overjoyed, especially when he received a note saying 

 they were a draft from the Vine and all were over distemper. 

 This was a temptation too great to be resisted ; the beauties 

 looked so comfortable and at home in the kennels, and he was 

 happy once more. 



People who have no love for animals and sport may feel 

 impatient with those who do care for these things, not being 

 able to understand the exhilaration of the chase, the joy of the 

 country, and the intelligence of our faitliful four-footed com- 

 panions, who try so hard to please us and are so much more 

 dependable and faithful than many human beings. They ask 

 so little from us and bestow so generously and plentifully of 

 all they have to give. 



