The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-09-26
Irishman on q 'POssum Hunt.

Pat Donovan left the city o
Cork, Ireland, when he vas twenty
two years old, to seek a home an,
fortune in the United States. Ii,
settled in Mississippi, where he nov
lives, an old man, honored ant
respected by all who know him
Up to the time Pat took ship t,
come over to this country, lie hat
not been outside of his native city
hence, knew next to nothing o
the country and country life. II
is needless to say that he was d
full -bloodcd Irishman, with all the
peculiarities and characteristics OF
his race.
Pat wasa generous, whole -souled,
jolly fellow, whose company was
eagerly sought by all, both young
and old, who appreciated a good
joke, or enjoyed the keen wit so
common among Irishmen. He was
no half-hearted or halt.handed man
whatever he did was done with ali
his might. Pat was impulsive,
eager to learn, and ready for any,
thing that might turn up. He was
a raw Irishman in a new country,
unaccustomed to the ways, manners
and customs of our people ; hence,
ne made many laughable mistakes,
Just as many of us would be likely
to do if picked up and put down in
Ireland, or any other strange coun-
try. Pat was inguisitive, and
wanted to know all there was to be
known about everything that came
up. If he did not catch the idea
be was sure to ask. Many hearty
laugh was had at his expense, but
Pat always Joined in and enjoyed
the fun. He seemed to love every.
body and everybody loved him !;
hence, however much the people
might laugh at him, Pat took it for
granted that they meant him no
harm.
On one occasion, soon after he
came to this country, the boys got
to talking about "'possum.hunt-
ing" and expatiatcd largely OH the
pleasure of the hunt. This struck
Pat in a new place, and he wanted
to know all about the "pOssim."
The boys explained and enlarged
upon the merits of the 'pOssum as
an article of diet, when Pat said:
" Well, it must be one of the bist
Vegetables you hev in this coun-
thry.' There was no way to get
round 'possum hunt for Pats
special benefit in fact the boys
were all ready for the fun. 1t was
agreed that Pat should climb the
tree and bring the 'pOssums down.
1t was good time ; persimmons
we're plenty and just in their prime,
as there had been two good white
frOsts. The time came and the
boys met at the place agreed upon,
and brought along some good light.
wood for torches, and three of the
best 'possum dogs in the neighbor-
hood. Every one of them was
brimful of fun and life, and Pat
was so full he was running over.
An Irishman all the way from Cork,
in the "land of the free and the
home of the brave" the principal
man in 'possum.hunt gotten up
for his especial benetit-this was
no small item in the make up of his
life. Each one of the boys We'd
with the others in trying to add to
the pleasure of their Irish friend.
The party had not gone far before
The dogs scented 'possum up IA
tree, in the center OF an
bearing that delicious fruit.
They "treed," and 10 mistake.
There he was on limb, about fif-
.een feet from the ground. They
irst "shined his eyes" with their
orch. The boys pointed him out
20 Pat, which was not hard to do,
Is they had a full blaze of light.
L was Pats time to 60 after him.
His shoes and coat were oft in no
line. He insisted that he would
,ring the "ugly haste down from
lis perch" The boys charged Pat
o hold on to him, but did not tell
lim where to take hold of the ami
nal. Pat was soon mounting the
rec, though rather clumsy, as
did not seem to be in his
inc of business. Pretty soon he
vas in reach of the 'possum, and
'ut out his hand and took hold of
he "baste,n when the 'possum
ook hold of Pats hand with sort !.
f death grip. Pat groaned heavi-
y, when one of the boys asked,
Pat, have you got him - "Faith
m 1 hev," said Pat, can wish
on would come up and hilp me !
urn the ugly baste loose" The
oys got Pat and the 'possum down I
nd separated them, when Pat !
'anted to go home, utterly dis
usted with 'possum and 'possum- !
uniting. Pat Donovan is opposed =
D 'possum till this day. q