THAT SHELDRAKE. :J0 



*^ knows something/^ However, lie promises secrecy. 

 In half an hour more I am at Simmon\s cottage. " Sim- 

 mons, you shot a rather curious duck last night ; I want 

 to buy him.^^ " Ho hor ! are you the gem^man as was 

 there last night ? so you be," says the scamp. " Yes, it 

 is a pretty thing, aint it ? I don't like to part with it, 

 'cos I was going to cut off the wings for my young 

 'ooman's 'at/' Confound his impudence ! " Well, here's 

 a sovereign and five shillings to shut your mouth." 

 ^' Done along with you, sir ; that's what I call 'andsome, 

 I does ; let me wrap it up in paper for yer." I hurry 

 back, -bolt down my breakfast, rush over to the vicarage, 

 and exhibit my prize. Everything is made up, the seal- 

 skin turban is adorned and looks lovely, and " all went 

 merry as a marriage bell." Ishall be married soon ; I 

 may truly say I shall conceal nothing from my wife, but 

 I have never told her the truth of that sheldrake yet, and 

 never shalL 



D Z 



