The Argosy — page 135: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE ARGOSY, Shaving the Ponies Tatts. 12! jan. x,1 It was getting towards sunset, and I had been looking about for hours when I came upon them. I wish some artist-fellow had been there to photograph the scene. Tod was on the Worcestershire side of the dyke, and the constable on the other, and .Tod was driving him wild. , Jones had fat legs, as if the gout had settled in them, and no breath to speak of. He wore that day brown corduroy smalls, and white nbbed stockings ; the Squire had not allowed him time to put his gaiters on. Tod was young, and fleet as a deer. He made short inroads on the other's territory, stood meek as a lamb in the slanting sun, until Jones puffed up to within a yard of him, and then turned and leaped the ditch again, leaving Jones screaming with the aggravation. The old chan could have managed to get over the dyke, but on the other side he had no power. } “ Howling is of no use, old Jones. Why don’t you come over and take me? You've got your warrant, you know; you've got your staff; you’ve got your handcuffs. I'll stand stock still, and let you take me here, if you dare. Is that you, Johnny ?—come to see the fun? Jones thinks he’d rather not take me over here. Now, then, Mr. Jones! why don’t you leap the ditch? Shall I assist you down? Can't you? Wouldn't the law let you? Oh, that’s it—is it? I’m in Worcestershire, and your warrant is for Warwickshire. Ho, ho, ho! Good old Jones !” To see the way Tod danced about in the face of the constable as he said this—the most aggravating dance conceivable! To see the old chap’s insane gestures, and his poor fat legs trying to dance too! Oh, it was good! Refreshing one’s spirits after that scene of anger earlier. They kept it up till dusk. And then old Jones, with the staff and the handcuffs, went, carrying back his rage to the Manor. I stayed there with Tod, on the safe side of the boundary, telling him how the dis- covery had come, as we walked about to keep ourselves warm. Tod laughed himself hoarse at the relation. Down came the snow, a sharp, blinding shower of it. Under its safe cover, Tod stole home, I acting as pioneer, with my eyes on all sides. He got in through the dairy-window, and so up to his _bed-room, not a soul seeing him; and I smuggled him up some bread and cheese and beer. The constable was taking a good meal in the kitchen, enchaining all the servants with the account of Master Joe’s wicked doings. Tod sent me for some more beer, and Mrs. Todhetley pounced upon me as I was creeping down the staircase. ‘You must come th and have some dinner, Johnny,” she said. ‘ Mr. Todhetley is not angry with you; he knows you'd not dare to do any- thing of the sort. Where have you been all day? You must be half starved.” The Pater helped me to a jolly good serving of beef ; he saw I looked Lu comicaooks GO)