The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-30
4 ! , I
DEER HUNTING IN WYOMING, (Pa)
AUGusr 90. 1899.

AUGUST ~, 1889.
Lnzerne county, Pennsylvania, received its
name from Louis the Chevalier de la Luzerne,
Minister from Louis the 10th to the United
States. To my ear it sounds sweet and eu-
phonus. His address on being presented to
Congress, November IL, 1879, is very neat
production. ~ consider as the happiest
circumstance ofmy life a mission in the course
OF which am sure of fulfilling my duty when
labor for your prosperity; and felicitate
myself on being sent to nation whose inte-
rests are so intimately blended with our own
that can be useful neither to France nor the
American Republic without rendering myself
agreeable both to the one and the other"
In the same latitude with Connecticut,
Wilkesbarre, the seat Of justice, lies Iust -
miles due west from Middleton. leave a
blank, that the thousand scholars who may
read this may solve the problem by recur-
renee to their maps. Watered by the no.
BILE Susquehanna and innumerable tributary
streams, its surface yariegated by mountain,
hill, and valley, it presents the stern features
OF desolation, the sublime, the picturesque,
and the beautiful. OF its valleys and coal
helds, wheat, butter, pine lumber, and pota-
toes, l may tell you more hereafter. But
see my letter is becoming too grave for its
heading, so will close this by giving you
sketch OF the sports Of our backwoods boys.
Although Luzerne has about 40, 900 inhab-
tants, the red deer are still plenty on the hills.
In May, the lads go lto the woods, find their
pathways, and in wet, fitting spot, make
holes into the earth, II or | 5 inches deep, with
sharp stake these they fill with salt, thus
forming artifcial-licks. As the weather be-
comes warm, the deer gather around the place,
paw the ground, eagerly seeking for the salt,
especially just in the dusk Of evening. The
hunter lies in ambush-crack goes the trusty
rifle, and the prize is his own. Sometimes,
IN dark nights, the hunter sits on platform
built in the boughs Of neighboring tree, with
pine torch ready to light.
When the deer comes to the lick, fire is put
to the torch; as the blaze breaks forth, he
gazes moment; his bright eyes present a
mark, the woods echo the sharp report and
the game falls. The other day two practised
hunters went to the woods. A signal was
agreed on with their friends at home that if
they killed one deer they would kindle one fire
on Bald Mountain, high knoll five miles from
the valley; if they killed two, two fires on
seeing the smoke rise, horses were to be sent
out for the veniso.. An hour before sunset
one smoke rose; presently after another; the
next day two noble deer were brought home
in triumph, afiording the charming steaks and
delicious pot-pe which long practice has taught
our Lnzerne danes to make so well. Thus
the tolls of harvest are cheered by anticipa-
tons ofthe woodland sport, and repaid by joy
Gus lrution.
Harveys Lake, covering several hundred
acres, twelve miles west Of the river, furnishes
Il different source Of bunting pleasure. The
deer, by instinct, when hard pressed by dogs,
seek deep water for safety. Here hounds are
kept, and vsiters resort. The dogs pursue the
deer, which run often in circle until weared,
and then lay their course for the lake Hark
they come-near and more near is heard the
bayng of the deep-mouthed hound-to your
stations ! man the boats See the noble buck,
how he bounds through the open fields, scarce
ly touching the earth which he seems to spurn
his antlers laying close 10 his back-his
white tail waving if in defiance! Poor
fated thing, what is natures swiftness or in
stinct against the skill Of reason! Behold, the
dogs are close after him! The rifles speak
quick and sharp! They have missed him 4. He
plunges into the lake 0 for Sommeryille
or Sir Walter, for an apt quotation! The boats
are Off He swims for life I! Do you remem-
her the scene in the Pioneers, of Leather
Stocking and the Indians singing the DEATH
songs as they kill the deer Many have been
thus taken this summer. The chase--the ex-
element, the wild haIloo and almost certain
prize, render il favorite diversion for city
visiters.-CHARLEs MINER.