The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-06-21
MY FIRST AND LAST FIRE
HUNT
BY THE AUTHOR OF F"MAJ. JONES' cou RrsHrp.

BYT THE AUTHOR oF"MAJ. JONES' couRTsHIP" +"
Samuel Skies was one of the most in
veterate hunters ever knew. He de-
lighted IN no other pursuit or paslirne,
and though he pretended to cultivate a
small spot Of ground. yet so large por-
ton of his time was spent in the pur-
suit of game, that his agricultural in
terests suffered much for the want of
proper attention. Helived few miles
from town, and as you passed his house.
which stood short distance from the
main road, a few acres Of corn and
small patch of potatoes might probably
attract your notice as standing greatly
in need of hoe; but the most promi-
nent objects about SANS domicil per-
tanned to his favorite pursuit. A huge
pair of antlers--a trophy of one of his
pruundest ACKNOWLEDGEMENT a
conspicuous place on the gable end;
some ten or dozen tall fishing poles,
though modestly slowed behind the
chimney, projected far above the roof
of the little cabin; and upon its unchin-
ked walls many coon and deer skin
were undergoing the process of dry ing.
If all these did not convince you that
the proprietor was sportsman, the va
ried and camorous music of score of
hungry looking hounds, as they issued
forth in full cry at every passer by,
could not fail to force the conviction.
Sam had early found companion TO
share with him his good or ill luck, and
though he was yet on the green side of
thirty, he was obliged to provide for
some five or six little talow faced ':res-
possibilities" so he not only followed
the chase from choice, but when his
wife who hated .'fisherman's luck
worse than Sam did ''miss" or '.nb-
ble"-took HIM to account for spend
ing so many broken days, Saturday aE
ternoons, rainy days and odd hours, to
say nothing Of whole nights, in the
woods, without bringing home so much
as cat-squirrel Or horney-he ,d,his rea-
dy reply was, that he was "bleeged" to
do the best he could to get meat for
her and the .children."
The Fire Hunt was Sans hobby.
and though the Legislature had recent
ly passed an act prohibiting that mode
of hunting, he continued to indulge, as
freely as ever, in his favorite sport. res
olutey maintaining that the law was
"unconstitootional and agin on."-
He had often urged me to accompany
him, just TO see how slick he could shine
a bucks eyes; and such were the glow
ing accounts he had from time to time
given me Of his achievements in that
way, that he had drawn from me
promise to go with him ''some Of these
times"
was sitting one evening, after tea,
upon the steps of the porch, en- ying
the cool autumna breeze, when my
friend Sam Skies suddenly made his
appearance. He had come for me to
60 with him on fire hunt, and was
mounted on his mule Blaze with his pan
upon one shoulder and his musket on
the other. Determined to have every
thing in readiness before calling on me.
he had gone 10 the kitchen and lit
few light-wood splinters, which were
now blazing in his pan, and WHICH ser
we'd the double purpose Of lighting him
through the enclosure, and of demon
sira ting to me the manner of hunting
by night. AS he approached the house,
his light discovered me where | was
sitting.
"Good evenin', major" said he. 'I've
come out to see if you've mind to
take a little hunt tonight"
81 believe not, Mr.. Sikes," replied,
feeling entirely too well satisfied with
my pleasant seat in the cool breeze, to
desire to change it for night ramble
through the woods. "Not tonight, /
thank you--it looks like rain."
ssOh, shaw, faint gwine to rain, no
how-and I'm all fxed--come, come
along, major"