Mr. Widdowson — Mr. Oldacre, 339 



Ness — the latter, alas ! not even a shadow of its former 

 self — were placed under his especial protection ; and 

 right well did he discharge a duty that he so much loved. 

 The Ness was, from its position and sporting look, the 

 peculiar object of his regard, and the trespasser in search 

 of ^^ fur ^' or ^' feather,^' was pretty sure to be made 

 acquainted with the law affecting him who ^' shoots or 

 suares what isn't his'n." When hounds were first put 

 into cover, it was interesting to watch the alternations of 

 hope and disappointment that played across the old man's 

 face. As soon, however, as some deep and trusty tongue 

 had proclaimed that a foxey smell had come betwixt 

 the wind and his ^' caninity," a smile lit up the lately 

 anxious face, and he would say to some one near, ^^ 1 

 thought that they would find him in that bit of gorse by 

 the brookside." On the disappearance of hounds and 

 horsemen, the old horse received a reminder from the one 

 spur of his well-satisfied rider, who no sooner reached 

 his home than he proceeded to uncork a bottle of the 

 old Port which was reserved for those red-letter days. 



But there is no longer either Harrowden Ness to be 

 looked after or old Bill Widdowson to look after it. 

 Farewell, fine old Sportsman ! Many a man of more im- 

 portance has lost his billet without leaving so many 

 pleasant memories behind him. 



MR, MATTHEW OLDACRE. 



In the noble army of Northamptonshire yeomen who go 

 well with hounds, the foremost place may fairly be 

 assigned to a heavy-weight who has no superior across a 



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