MAKING THE BEST OF A BAD JOB.

Otago Witness, Issue 1325, 21 April 1877, Page 21

MAKING THE BEST OF A BAD JOB.

The Laird of Millhiddle was a very severe game-preserver, and watchful.'! But notwithstanding all his precautions,' an old crofter, a tenant of his, managed to snare not a few hares and rabbits. " The pitcher that goes often to the well will be broken at last," and so it proved in this case—" almost, not quite." One s morning one of the laird's keepers espied; two "beasties" snared in the old crofter's! turnip field, and had not long retired to! an adjoining wood to await the course of events,- when our old friend made his, appearance upon the scene. Thinking! there wag no danger he went to " girn "i No. 1, where he found a large hare not, yet dead. But as he was bending down,; with his back, to the wood,' to put an end} to all pussy's troubles, he sees with " thej tail of his eye" the burly form of the j keeper rising from behind the bush where he had been hid. It was too late, to retreat. He must make the best of a bad job. Unloosing the hare he gave it &kick j which sent it spinning along, the drill. At| the same moment the keeper's hand wasj on his shoulder, and the keeper's voice said: — "Aye, my man, what's this ye have been doing?" "Doin'l" returned, the innocent old man. "What hae ye' been doin' yersel' 1 You and the Laird o' ! Millhiddle may alloo yer hares an' rabbits; t' paster at lairge on my lan, but I'm d -d if ye'li tether them amon' my neeps ; noo see."