Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-08-04
LOVE AND HUNTING.


1t was man who spoke, and as he
did 80 he held up for inspection an i'm
maculate pair of tops in one hand and
a pair of painfully new breeches in the
other, while his countenance wore an
expression of mingled fear and aston
ishment
With an inward sinking of my heart
turned from my morning paper and
outlet and nodding 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 appear
ance therein of the aforesaid tops and
breeches | am about to explain. am
not hunting man. | never could see
any joke in humping about on hard
piece of pigskin in search of a drag
gled piece of vermin called fox, al
though some people say the fox en-
joys the fun. 1t is very well tor those
who like it; and Mr.. Jorricks, of i'm
mortal 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 received and accepted
an invitation from Sir Harry Bullfinch
TO stay a week in his ''box" in War
wickshire, and avail myself of his hos
pitality and mount with the renowned
pack which hunted that country. | was
urged to this acceptance of what in my
saner moments | should have in
dignantly treated as practical joke
by, a slight attack Of the master
passion. l met Sir Harry and his
daughter, Kate, in London, during
the past season. We had frequently
met at various balls and entertain
ments, and on several occasions had
enjoyed the halmy fragrance of Bushy
park, and the still delights OF boat on
the upper reaches of the Thames, but
with my natural timidity | 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-tetos, so | electrified my tailor
and bootmaker with orders for the nee
essary "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 Il chair and holding on by the
back was excellent practice, So having
called James and given him most ex-
press instructions to deny me even to
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 a
brandy and soda, and couple of boot
hooks, to pull on a pair of boots which
nearly gave me fit Of apoplexy, and
made my corns burn for hours. Armed
with cutting whip, then mounted
astrde the strongest chair i'll the apart
ment, and continued the exhilarating
exercise with the tirmness of stole
and martyr, and with only one inter
val tor luncheon. throughout the entire
day.
Ny train left the Great Northern sta
ton at 4:30, and landed me safely at
my destination In due course | found
myself seated next to the fair Kate
Will my legs COiliibI tapig SiNtthSb
under Sir Harry's mahogany.
81 suppose our dull country pack
will seem quite second rate to you,
said Kate.
was murmuring something in reply,
when Sir Harry cut in with:
"Ahl I've got splendid mount for
YOU tomorrow, my boy A trifle play
full, perhaps-hasn't been hunted yet
this season. but will carry you like q
bird"
ooh, yes" said Kate, Gear is such a
nice creature
'lndeedr said l. II am rejoiced to
hear it, OF course you accompany us
to the meet2"
Eyes" she replied. "And papa has
said that as you are going out | might
even follow the hounds little way.
You'll look after me, won. you Mr..
De Boots"
| promised to do my devoirs, but in
my heat of hearts the aght | should
REQUIRE some one 10 looi: after me.
The following morning 1T breakfast,
which was early ON account OF our hav-
ing to 60 some distance 10 the meet,
the horses were brought round q
sturdy, thick-set, qulet-looklng weight
carrier, neat-looking gray mare, and
a bright, fidgety chestnut. The latter
gave his attendant groom some trouble
and insisted on Waiting around on hls
hind legs good deal mere than ap'