Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-06-23
LOVE AND HUNTING.

"Please, sir, are these for you"
It was my man who spoke, and as he
did SO he held up for inspection an i'm
maculate pair of "tops" in one hand
and pair of painfully new breeches in
the other, while his countenance wore
an expression of mingled fear and
astonishment.
With an inward sinking at my heart
I turned from my morning paper and
outlet, and having nodded a gloomy
assent to his query, said "That will
do, James lay them on the sofa"
The above conversation took place in
my bachelor apartments in the Albany,
and the reason for the appearance there
in OF the aforesaid tops and breeches /
am about to explain. 1 am not a hunt
ing man. I never could see any joke
in humping about on a hard piece of a
pigskin in pursuit of q draggled piece
of vernon called fox, although some
people say the fox enjoys the fun. 1t
is all very we'll for those who like it
and Mr.. Jorricks, of immortal memory,
may call hunting the sport of things
the image OF war without its guilt and
only twenty-five per cent. of its danger"
If he likes, but confess / can't see it
in that light. 1t was with feelings the
reverse of pleasant, therefore, that re-
ceived and accepted an invitation from
Sir Harry Bullfnch to stay week in
his "box" in Warwickshire, and avail
myself of his hospitality and q mount
with the renown pack which hunted
that country. / was urged to this ac-
ceptance of what in my saner moments
I should have Indignantly treated as a
practical joke by q slight attack of the
m@ter passion. 1 met Sir Harry and
his daughter, Kate, in London, during
the past season. We had frequently
met at variously balls and entertain
ments, and on several occasions had
enjoyed the balmy fragran ce of Bushy
park and the still delights of boat on
the upper reaches of the Thames, but
with my natural timidity I had never
ventured to ask the question which was
forever on the tip of my tongue, but
never got further. The invitation APP
peared to hold out promises of quiet
tete a-tetes, so electrified my taller
and bootmaker with orders for the
necessary "togs" with which to carry
on the campaign.
remember having somewhere heard
or read that in order to acquire an easy
and graceful seat on horseback, sitting
astride on chair and holding on by the
back was excellent practice, so, haviag
called James and given him most *
press instruction to deny me even tn
my most intimate friends, proceeded
TO struggle into perhaps the tightest
pair Of cords that were ever made for
mortal man, and, with the aid of q
brandy and soda and couple of boot
hooks, to pull on pair of boots which
nearly gave me fit of apoplexy and
made my corns burn for hours. Armed
With cutting whip, I then mounted
astride the strongest chair in the apart
ment, and continued the exhilarating
exercise with the hrmness Of q stole and
: martyr, and with only one interval
for luncheon, throughout the entire
day.
NY train left the Great Northern
station ct 4:30, and landed me safely ai
my destination. In due course I found
myself seated next to the fair Kate,
with my legs comfortably stretched
under Sir Harry's mahogany.
"I suppose our dull country pack
will seem quite . second rate to you.
said Kate.
I was murmuring something in re.
ply, when Sir Harry cut in with:
"Ahi I've got q splendid mount foi
you tomorrow, my boyi A trihe play
fuI, perhaps-hasn't been hunted JET
this season, but will carry you like
bird"
"oh, yes," said Kate. Scar i such
nice creature"