The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-07-07

presence of his Maker.
Year after year Alice and Horace
Weldon visit lonely grave in the Gem.
etery at Philadelphia, and plant fresh
flowers in spring time,as they drop tear
over the remains of Edward Manders.
Jack Rabbit Chase IN Texas.
Among the finest sports of Texas, a
correspondent says, are the rabbit chases.
Don't imagine an ordinary rabbit hunt.
The rabbit Of Texas is in reality hare,
similar in size and propotion to the Eng.
lish hare. 1t is known in Texas as the
mule-carcd or jackass rabbit. Is is so
named from the length Of its ears, which
measures from five to six inches. The
length Of the animal from the tip of the
nose to the end of the tail is three feet
when fully grown color, graJish brown !;
fore legs short and slender, hind legs and
quarters long, fully developed, and sym.
metrically proportoned, indicating great
strength and fleetnes. Its ears are long
and pendant, but capable Of being erected,
hence the name of mule.eared rabbit. 1t
is not mischievous animal like the swamp
rabbit, which commits depredations on
gardens and fruit trees 1t feeds on the
prairie grass and drinks no water except
the dews Of rain drops. 1t does not bur-
row, but makes a nest in the grass for its
young. Its flesh is SO tough and snewy
that it is not fit for food, but is hunted
only for sport
A stranger is almost certain to be in
vited to rabbit chase soon after his
arrival, especially if his dress and air
indicate to the Texan that he is from the
Eastern States On my arrival in South.
western Texas | put up in the only hotel
of the little village of Gonzales on the
Guadaloupe river. After good square
meal of Texan fare, consisting of beef.
steak, homiuy, corn bread and coffee, and
just as | was finishing my cigar, l heard
a familiar voice and turned to greet an
old acquaintance who moved to Texas
some years ago. Before the evening was
over it was arranged for me to join in o
rabbit chase the next day. But" said
my friend, "can you ride mustang"
II guess so, unless he is much harder
to ride than thoroughbred"
Not much. Be ready, booted and
spurreJ, to mount tomorrow at s. Your
mustang will be ready for you. will
call and we'll gallop over to the Squire's
the place Of rendezvous. You shall
have the prettiest girl and the bcldest
lady rider for your companion in the hunt
Good night and pleasant dreams"
Anticipating the appointed time by a
few minutes, Bob was on the ground the
next morning with the mustang. We
galloped over to the Squire's, about two
miles from the village in the prairie
His pretty daughter HELEN cheerfully
accepted Bob's friend for an escort. She
was well mounted and sat with ease and
grace While we converscd other mem.
bevs Of the party came in by twos and
fours from all points up the prairie, making
for the centarl point, the Squire's. In q
short time a company of about twenty
ladies and gentlemen or about a dozer
! couples had arrived, etiquette requiring
each gentleman TO bring lady. Most
Of the party were mounted on mustangs
A few rode splendid hunters, bred from
imported stock. The ladies wore dark
habits or skirts and stylish caps, ornament.
ed with a iaunty white feather They
were evidently ut home in the saddle, and
more graceful riders I never saw. The
gentlemen were in every kind of custume
from hunting Jacket 10 blouse, and one
wearing a Mexican ranchcr's buckskir
suit and sombrero, bore himself more
proudly than all the rest
. The winding Of horn in the distance
threw the party into the widest excite
ment. There comes Rowing Bill OF
hunter" said Bob, and soon Wild West
eru ranger dashed in among us, followed
by dozen or more splendid English grey.
hounds and two black .an1.tan beagles
or as they are termed 10 the South, deer
hounds. His long black hair foated from
under a slouched hat, and he was fully
equipped with the formidable shooter
aud bowie knife, the indispensable com.
panious OF the border Texan He was
welcomed with n shout, which he return.
cd with. "Are YOU all ready for the
hunt ~ "AlI ready" was the reply.
Then Forward" was the command, and
we dashed gaily over the prarie for sever.
al miles riding in couples, that seemed
to enjoy the chance for Irritation as
much as the exercise.
We nalIoped On two or three miles
Then or Master of the Chase ordered a
halt, mud conversation and filtration
ceased. Disposing his company in groups
! Gu which position We were to remain
until the game was up,) he galloped here
and there over the plain in our front
while the intelligent dogs dispersed them.
selves,wating for the bngles to start the
game.
Up sprang Il rabbit directly in our
front, and bounded Of few PAGES.
Hating, it raised itself straight upon its
launches. surveyed the scene moment
with its bright black eyes, erected its
long quivering ears, and then, with light.
ming speed it darted with long bounds
over the prairie, followed closely by the
hounds while each gay cavalier and lady.
with shout and halloo, dashed after the
pack. The deep.mouthed beages, with
their music, led of after the rabbit, but
were soon left behind by the heeter grey :
hounds With long AID graceful leaps
they stretched over the plain, at first
losing ground on the rabbit. But the
greybound's bottom is the hunters sure
reliance. As they ran they gained upon
the frightened, flying game, which ran
without the hope of reaching covert
out on the open prairie, its only home.
Faster and faster the greybounds follow
ed, with outstretched necks, gaining at
every bound, until they seemed fairly to
/ fly.
The riders followed with shouts, led of
by Rowing Bill. who with hat off and
fnn,inO hair was all animation kV;th