The Amateur Poacher

e last stile in the footpath across the meadows was passed. Church and tower then came into view together on the opposite side of a large open

ey of a cottage appeared above a hedge, so covered with i

t the corners of the fields, were nearly all; there was nothing resembling a 'street'-not so much as a row. The church was in effect the village, and the church was simply the mausoleum of the Dessant family, the owners

ments in the yard. A yew tree of immense size stood in one corner, and was by tradition associated with the fortunes of the family. Though the old

faded hatchments of the dead. For the pedigree went back to the Battle of Hastings, and there was scarce room for more heraldry. From week's end to week's end the silent nave and aisles remained empty; the chirp of the sparro

he hedge, or look upwards and watch the swallows and swifts wheeling, wheeling, wheeling in the sky. No one would pass to disturb your meditations, whether simply dreaming of nothing in the genial summer warmth, or thinking over the course of history since the prows of the N

ge of the cornfield. None of these show any signs of alarm, and only move just far enough to avoid being trodden on. Approaching the wood there are yet more pheasants, especially near the fir plantations that come up to the keeper's cott

In one spot there still stands the grey wall and buttress of some ancient building, doubtless the relic of an ecclesiastical foundation. The present mansion is not far distant; it is of la

the house with the stable, so that carriage or horse may be instantly summoned. Another wire has been carried to the nearest junction with the g

e refinements of horticulture. The pheasants stray about the gravel walks and across the close-mown lawn where no daisy dares to lift its head. Yet,

e of careless living when the minor nominally succeeded. It happened that the steward appointed was not only a lawyer of keen intelligence

estment. Buildings, drains, and so forth were provided for them; they only had to pay a small percentage upon the money expended in construction. In this there was nothing that could be complained of; but the hard, mec

ccomplished: he made the pheasants pay. One reason, of course, was that gentlemen have expenses outside and beyond breeding and keeping: the shooting party itself is expensive; whereas h

successful. The mansion with the first-class shooting, hunting, and lovely woodlands-every modern convenience and comfort in the midst of the most rural scener

esidence in their midst and suddenly claimed all the loyalty which was the due of the old family. These people hunted over their fields, jumped over the hedges, glanced at them superciliously, and seemed a

ome of the finest coverts were closed to the hounds, and because they wanted to know what became of the foxes that formerly li

ons of the spot, and between whom and the people there would have been, even despite of grievances, a certain amount of sympathy. S

was thrust so closely before their faces they could not resist it. When pheasants came wandering into the cottage gardens, and could even be entic

. For it is a fact-a fact carefully ignored sometimes-that resident gentlemen object to prosecutions, and, so far from being anxious to fine or imprison poachers, would very much rather not. The steward took the hint, and instead increase

ceased to be more than is usual on most properties. So far as the inhabitants of the parish were concerned it almost ceased altogether; but every now and then the strollers, gipsies, and similar cha

and it then again contracts. This irregularly shaped opening is the market-place, and here in the centre stands a rude-looking building. It is supported upon thick short pillars, and was

the stray grain and peas that fall from the hands of farmers and dealers examining samples on market days. Presently, two constables come across carrying a heavy, clumsy box between them. They unlock a door, and take the box

yard, but quietly strolls away to transact some business with the wine-merchant or the saddler. There really is not the least hurry. The Clerk stands in the inn porch calmly enjoying the September sunshine, and chatting with the la

the stone steps that lead up to the hall a young mother sits nursing her infant; she is waiting to 'swear' the child. In the room itself several gipsy-looking men and women lounge in a corner. At one end is a broad table and som

the clerical magistrate very tenderly places his beaver in safety on the broad mantelpiece, that no irreverent sleeve may ruffle its gloss: several others who rarely do more than nod assent ran

ears' her child; and, indeed, there is some very hard swearing here on both sides. A wrangle between two women-neighbours-who accuse eac

se who are nearest catch something about the odds and the St. Leger, and an anything but magisterial roar of laughter. The chairman appears, rigidly compressing his features, and begins to deliv

this long consultation the Bench have dismissed both charges. The next case on the list is poaching; and at the call of his name

s a good-looking, dark-complexioned woman, who has come up behind the defendant (the whilome navvy), and carries a child so wrapped in a shawl as to be invisible. 'Silence! or you'll have to go outside the court. Mr. Dalton Dessant will leave the Bench during the hearing of this case.' Mr. Dalton

eginning of the vale of years; he holds his hat in his hand; the sunlight falls through the casement on his worn velveteen jacket. The assistant

terrupts the defendant

speaking presently,' says the C

ighway-road, and the horse was taken out. The women le

t. Did you hide yourself by

by Three Corner Piece; after

reason for wa

wire and a

what ha

not to step on the soft mud by the gate-he kind of leaped over it, not to leave the mark of

(from the defe

ly round, the defendant picked up the rabb

id you

ud as I could, and he' (jerking a thumb back towards the head keeper) 'came out of the firs into the lane

m beginning to end. He had not got corduroy trousers on that day, as stated. He was not there at all: he was in the village, an

th of his statement by asking what he said when collared in the lane. 'You sa

ied the wife. 'It's a won

ked quietly. 'Now, Oby, what is your

'and I just stooped down to see what it was, 'cos I didn't know. I never seed one afore; and I was just going to pick it up and look at it' (the magistrat

t in your pocket,' inte

he Clerk to the witn

ndant. 'I never seed no such things afore; and i

trespassing,'

t. There wasn't

eper, 'you know you've been a

the chairman); 'is th

g, varied occasionally by a shriek; the infant woke up and cried, and two or three women of the same party behind began to talk i

r went thur afore: a' spose I must go.' 'Come,' said the Clerk, 'why, you or your brother bought a piece of land and a cottage not l

ife and the crying of the child he is removed in the custody of two constables, to be presently conveyed to gaol. W

without her child, angrily pulls out a dirty canvas bag, and throws down three or four sovereigns before the seedy Clerk's clerk. The canvas bag is evidently half-full of money-the gleam of

tside, and from the chimney on its roof thin smoke arises. There is a little group at the doorway, and among them stands the late pris