Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-02-23
THE FATAL FIRE.HUNT.
A TRUE STORY.

UTc- Huut, you sDull 80, Oo DoH you
remembers And now you 60 tonight,
and must 20 with you"
As Jacques Estrin said this to his father
he tossed his curly head defiantly. Only
eigh, years old was this ambitious young
hunter, but he rode as only creole children
can ride and had even fired gun several
times.
His father, Pierre Estrin, was the most
famous hunter of the Opcousas country,
where game is abundant and the marks
men the most skllful in Louisiana. He
was dark, morose kind Of man, silent,
as are most men whose lives are spent in
sombcr forests and trackless prairies.
But his only son, Jacques he loved with
passionate intensity which softened the
mans rugged nature. Whatever Jacques
wanted he was sure to have, whether it
Was hurtful or not A tine, bright boy he
was, too, with chestnut, curly hair and
black eyes, full of life and spirit, and
kind-hearicd and loving in spite of inju-
dicious indulgence.
Evidently, however, in spite Of his blind
fondness for his son, Pierre Estfin hesi-
taicd 10 fulfill his promise.
II will be "A foggy night, Jacques.
You will get wet. Then what will mann
ma sayY"
Mamma, who was busy at her loom in
the next .oom called OUT
81 will say it Is wrong. You must not
take the child out such night. Don't
hug me so tight, jacques" The boy had
flown into the room AT the first sound of
her voice. Your kisses can't bride me
to say you oughtto 20. 1t will be black,
s,arless night, and then such fog! Don't
think OF going, my Child, icu shall
make " tao tao" pop corn) and pecan
pralines."
But Jacques was deaf to the temptation
Of "tac tao" or anything but the hum he
had promised himself. He cried and
sobbed as If his heart was broken, and
his father, who was never proof against
his tears, however unreasonable they
might be- soon reented.
" Better let him go, Monique," he said.
"You see | promised him, and ii will
never do for him To think could deceive.
Here wipe your eyes, Jacques, and run
out on the prairie and catch your pony.
You had better stop nj the cabin and take
Edmond--ta little colored boyl--to help
YOU catch him. He can ride behind you
to the hun, tonight. Then you won't be
afraid If should leave you u few min.
utes in the woods"
afraid" and he tossed back his curls
with u laugh, "Ah, you will see what n
brave son you have"
The little fellow ran at full speed across
the prairie, singing gay French carol at
the very top of his shrill young voice,
"ont in the woods, where the little birds sing,
lla, ha' Mr. squirrel see YOU spring,
SO gay, SO gay
Monique Estrin had left her loom and
stood AT the open door watching the boy
A. he hurried away for the pony,
You should not take him, Pierre, -
she said, gravely, " He Is too young Ia
go ON u tire-hunt. There are places in the
swamp where he cannot follow you, and
YOU will be obliged to leave him alone in
the forest. Did you not hear, too, that a
panther was seen near the live oaks, not
ten miles from hereyn
Pierre shrugged his shoulders as his
wife spoke. Its something rev for you,
Monique, to play the coward. As-ior the
panther, {uever saw him. That cowardly
Wilson took frightened wildcat for a
ferocious animal What harm can come
10 the boy when am with himg Even il
| leave him to scour the woods, all he
will have to DO will be to sit quietly on
his horse in one spot until return"
Ills wife did not answer but she sighed
deeply as she returned TO her work
She was half ashamed OF her own fears.
Even when her boy returned, flushed, de.
lighted, with little Edmond at his heels,
she could not smile at him, She was
called upon 10 admire the pony, 10 see
what great bag of pine knots papa had
cut up tor the tire-pan
AT dark the preparations were complet-
ed. and the hunters set out, Pierre Estrin
reading the way with y long handled pan,
full OF blazing pine, over one shoulder
Jacques and Edmond, on the same pony
trotted after him, and the mother at the
window could hear her boys glad voice
making the silent woods ring with his ia
vorite song, and the little negro swelling
the chorus of
So CAV, so gay"
The mist closed heavily upon Their
Path. The bright flame from the tire psr
threw wild, weird light ON the grca
trees. which stood like Shrouded giants oI
each side OF them.
With the rising Of the wind, the Eos
rose. and when it Jailed, would setIl,
down again, and 81, alternately, the nigh
was obscure and lightcned The light
however, was rot from the heavens, 10
Thai was overcast with clouds, but kin'
Of nbosphorcscent CLEAN from decaye'
iops and the surface Of stagnant pools.
The fire. pan, however, threw hrish
circle Of light around, and flefie Lsuii