MR. BRIGGS'S PLEASURES OF SHOOTING. [Illustration: No. VI. MR. BRIGGS IS OFF AGAIN SHOOTING.] [Illustration: _GRANDMAMMA IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE GIVEN MASTER TOM SOME PLUMS._ _Master Tom_. "NOW, THEN, GRANNY, I'VE EATEN THE PLUMS, AND IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME SIXPENCE, I'LL SWALLOW THE STONES!"] [Illustration: _MAKING THE BEST OF IT._] [Illustration: _HORRIBLE INCIDENT IN REAL LIFE._ AS THE SERVANTS ARE GONE TO BED, THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE ENDEAVOURS TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPER FOR HIMSELF. HE CAN'T CONCEIVE WHERE THE DEUCE THE THINGS ARE ALL KEPT; AND HE IS ALMOST TORN TO PIECES BY THE BLACK NATIVES OF THE KITCHEN.] [Illustration: _RATHER SEVERE._ "SHALL I 'OLD YOUR 'ORSE, SIR?"] [Illustration: _A FAULTY MIRROR._ "LOR! WHAT A MOST ABOMINABLE GLASS.--I DECLARE IT MAKES ONE LOOK A PERFECT FRIGHT!"] MR. BRIGGS'S PLEASURES OF SHOOTING. [Illustration: No. VII. FORTUNATELY FOR MR. BRIGGS (WHO _WILL_ LOAD HIS OWN GUN BECAUSE _THEN_ HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS ABOUT) THE KEEPER DISCOVERS THAT HE HAS PUT ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF A POUND OF SHOT INTO HIS RIGHT-HAND BARREL.] [Illustration: _GRAND SHOW OF PRIZE VEGETARIANS._] [Illustration: _CONSOLATION._ "NOT KITCHED NONE! AH! SIR, YOU SHOULD HA' BIN HERE LAST TOOSDAY; THERE WAS TOO GENTS KILLED A UNCOMMON SIGHT A' FISH TO BE SURE, THEN."] [Illustration: _BOTTOM FISHING._ _Piscator No. 1. (miserably)._ "NOW, TOM, _DO_ LEAVE OFF. IT ISN'T OF ANY USE; AND IT'S GETTING QUITE DARK." _Piscator No. 2._ "LEAVE OFF!! WHAT A PRECIOUS DISAGREEABLE CHAP YOU ARE. YOU COME OUT FOR A DAY'S PLEASURE AND YOU'RE ALWAYS A-WANTING TO GO HOME!"] MR. BRIGGS'S PLEASURES OF SHOOTING. [Illustration: No. VIII. FEW THINGS ARE MORE ANNOYING THAN TO BE SHORT OF POWDER WHEN THERE IS A CHANCE OF GOOD SPORT. MR. BRIGGS FEELING THIS, ORDERS A GOOD SUPPLY, TO BANG AWAY AT THE PHEASANTS TO-MORROW. HE SUGGESTS TO MRS. BRIGGS, THAT IT SHOULD BE KEPT UNDER THEIR BED, TO BE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE CHILDREN!!] [Illustration: _A CAUTION TO LITTLE BOYS AT A FESTIVE SEASON._ _Mamma._ "WHY, MY DEAREST ALBERT, WHAT ARE YOU CRYING FOR?--SO GOOD, TOO, AS YOU HAVE BEEN ALL DAY!" _Spoiled Little Boy._ "BOO-HOO! I'VE EATEN SO--MUCH BE-EF AND T-TURKEY, THAT I CANT EAT ANY P-PLUM P-P-PUDDING!" _Oh, what a very greedy little fellow!_] [Illustration: _A PRIVATE OPINION._ "WELL, I THINK THIS IS THE NEATEST THING I HAVE SEEN FOR A LONG TIME."] [Illustration: _PLEASANT._ _Old Acquaintance._ "AVE A DRAIN, BILL?" _Bus Driver._ "WHY, YER SEE, JIM, THIS 'ERE YOUNG HOSS HAS ON'Y BIN IN 'ARNES ONCE AFORE, AND HE'S SUCH A BEGGAR TO BOLT, TEN TO ONE IF I LEAVE 'IM HE'LL BE A-RUNNIN' HOFF AND A-SMASHIN' INTO SUTHUN. HOWSEVER--HERE (_handing reins to timid passenger_), LAY HOLD, SIR, _I'LL CHANCE IT!_"] [Illustration: _A REAL DIFFICULTY._ _Coachman._ "WHY--WHAT'S THE MATTER, JOHN THOMAS?"