Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-02-21
FOX HUNT.


when they learn the true sport-produc-
ing capabilities of the fox at close quar-.
tcrs, might well consider whether it
would not be worth their while to trans.
fer the scene OF their activities from
the fed to the barn. The p, overbal
slyness and cunning of the animal also
received some new and striking ilustra
tions, whilo naturalist might have
gained some valuable points concerning
the pecularities of animals. Mr.
R the painter of animals, has for
some weeks had fox in his studio as
model. Ho was a wild creature having
been captured when fu!l.grown, and,
therefore. hardly tameable but he Lad
got used to the artists presence, and
seemed 10 be tolerably reconciled to his
condition, since he was wcllfed and
kindly treated, The other morning Mr..
R., the artist came to his studio as
usual, and on opening the door, was
met by a little femllo Scotch terrier
which he kept in his studio. The terrier
appeared to be very much frightened,
and NJ. R., seeing that the floor
was scattered with his thngs-pictures
furniture, draTories, easols, paints, ETC.,
all mixed up in indcscribable confusion
concluded that the dog had been
having q grand frolic at his expense,
and that her conduct was owing to
conscience stricken sense of guilt. But
on entering he saw that the fox had
broken his collar and was loose, and
that he was the real transgrcssor. 1t
appeared that the fox and the dog had
been having real monkey-and parrot
time, the fox assuming the part of the
monkey and chasing the dog around the
room in reckless manner, regardless
of consequences to whatever was in the
way. As Mr.. Il - started toward the
fox, the latter also started toward the
dog, and both were soon on lively
scamper around the room the dog, who
bore the marks OF the foX's claws on her
back, fleeing in terror before him. Be-
tween the two, the loose objects began
to ny again in threatening way. Sec
ing that it would not be long at that
rate before about everything Of value
would be hopclcssly destroyed, Mr..
r. paused and began to consider
some means by which he could catch
the fox. He rugged up the box in
which the fox slept in way which he
calculated would easily effect the de-
sired end, arranging tempting piece of
meat in connection with q stick and a
string attached to the door so that the
fox, on entering TO get tho meat, would
close the door and shut himself in. The
meat was very attractive to hungry
fox and Mr.. Fox walked up to the trap
and made reconnaissance. He shifted
the meat aud pronounced it good, but
he took in the situation at glance,
AID, with look which seemed to say,
"What do you take me for, anyway"
walked deliberately around to the other
end OF the box, and, reaching in his
paw, brought out the meat with a
lightning like motion, devouring it
with triumphant satisfaction. The trap
being set again, he repeated this several
times with success. Seeing that foxy
cunning rose superior to such device,
Mr.. R set about another way to
catch him. Meanwhile the fox began
his caperlngs around the room again,
and tho dog prudently retreated to a
balcony in the lofty studio, from the
edge of which she could survey the
proceedings in safety. Mr.. R. set
about rescuing his most valuable things
from the confusion, bat, 10 sooner had
a dozen or so paintings been piled up In
apparent security than Mr.. Fox walks
up deliberately, thrusts his nose under
the bottom one, and tosses the whole
topsy turvey. Mr. R next tries to
catch the beast in the folds Of large
piece of drapery, but his efforts are
nimbly thwarted He then takes down
large and strong tishermans net,
hanging on the rafters for decorative
effect. That, thinks he, will surely catch
the scamp. lIo CASTS it over the fox
and says: eat last, you rascal" but,
with quick ingenuity, tho fox releases
himself. The net is thrown over him
several times, but each time he easily
escapes the meshas. The fox runs
wilder than ever, and the poor artist is
in despair at the impending destruction
OF all his belongings. At one swing Of
the net toward him the fox gave flying
leap clear over the top OF tall and
heavy easel, s or 10 fee high next
over would go lot Of picture frames
with crash then there would be a
scattering OF sketches, scratching OF
canvassos, while paint tubes, brushes
and miscellaneous small things flew as
in bombardment. The artist paused
and began to consider some other plan
of action. The fox withdrew in a cor.
ner and was quiet for time. Soon
crunching noise was heard On inves-
tigation it was found that the fox had
seized box of stretcher-keys, torn it
open, and was chewing up the bits of
wood. "Well," said the artist, 'it
stretcher-keys will satisfy you, you are
welcome to lunch on all you want" and
he set out to gather up things from the
floor. But the fox now began to paw
over q lot of PROSTATE paintings, among
them some valuable works which had
been sold. He had to be frightened
away from there, and now he got into
the reception room. The walls OF this
apartment were covered with burlap,
and up this the fox ran perpendicuIarly
to the ceiling, like cat, hight OF y
feet or more, hanging on at the top Tor
quite space of tine There was q
ledge around the wall at the top OF the
dado, about IL inches wide, and upon
this narrow place the fox ran entirely
around the room as nimbly as squirrel,
then launching himself out into the
middle of the studio with q sudden
leap. Mr.. r. called in two neigh
bors in the building, but at the sight OF
strangers the fox was made frantic, and,
rushing for the window, attempted to
break through the glass. Fearing the
consequences of flying leap OF fox
from sixth story window on the heads
of a Washington street crowd, Mr.. R
sent his assistants out again. Mean.
while the racket had been raised over
the building, and nearly all the occu-
pants assembled before the studio door.
Each man had some advice how to catch
him. One suggested tying a sponge
saturated with chloroform at the end OF
long pole and holding it under the
fox's nose--as il Mr.. Fox would quiet
ly stand still and inhale it, like patient
in dentists chair! Another knew q
plan for au infallible trap, something SC