Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-09-15
MY FIRST COON HUNT.
A "Reminiscences of Boyhood Days
Mississippi.

A "Reminiscences of Boyhood Days in
Mississippi.
As coon tracks caused the loss of my
first wagon, it was natural that my
thoughts should be directed to the coon,
and | gladly accepted the first opportunity
which presented itself for hunt. There
were several hunters on the plantation,
but no one was equal to old Miles He
! had two good dogs, Lion and Sharp, but
was very selfish, and seldom asked any
one to hunt with him, and his dogs were
| never allowed to hunt with any one e1-
cept himself.
/ determined to get on the good side Of
him, and commenced by slipping to him
any surplus delicacies that escaped the
appetites of FIVE other boys like myself,
and finally made known my wish to take a
hunt with him. To my surprise he very
pleasantly said I" Be on hand next Satur-
day night and we will take big round,
and as next day is Sunday / can sleep all
day"
1t seemed an age, for the time passed off
SO slow. My mind is treacherous as to the
number of days in that week, and long be
fore -he appointed time ! was on hand,
and as Miles had his supper to get, and
make all the necessary arrangements for the
hunt, l became as impatient as / had been
during the week Finally we started.
Miles carried, suspended from his shoulders,
one of the largest and coarsest sounding
horns | ever saw, which he occasionally
blew Lion soon put up coon, and when we
reached the tree Miles cut the under side
first, and then turned on the other, and
before the tree fell, he threw large chip
in the opposite direction to which the tree
was falling, and the dogs ran out to see
what it was, and then he called out :
STAND back. Stand back!" The dogs
remained firm, the tree fell, and Miles gave
a whoop.
Away went the dogs; the coon was
caught in an instant, and such . fight en-
sued. This hunt was continued to late
hour and the same series of actions were
performed at every tree until four coons
were caught.
am thus particular, for now, after
many years, see how important it is for
boys to have a good example set them,
and get a proper send of. No boy ever
initiated more closely than did the pat
tern set for coon hunt, and the sequel
Will show ! was up to the emergency.
Well, we reached home, and betimes
the next morning | was up, nerrating my
econ hunting experience to my brothers
and the little negroes on the plantation
Miles didn't renew his attack on the
coons soon enough for me, so | improyised
a hunt on my own hook. inyeigled my
eldest brother to act coon for me, as he
was the largest and swiftest Of all the
boys. soon had him posted in all the
cunning ways of lirst-class coon, and hid
him in thicket, where | could start him
when desired My other two brothers de
sired to be called Lion and Sharp and
with them and my big horn | repaired 10
the Quarter (name for negro cabins or set
Element on plantation, and commenced
to blow my horn.
In few minutes every little negro was
on hand, happy, and in good time for the
hunt ! instructed them, how each one
should act, and told them to watch Lion
and Sharp, WhereuPon every little rascal
wanted to be called Lion and Sharp. This
was finally settled satisfactorily, and blew
my horn and started for my hidden COON
My pacI, soon jumped him, and he gave us
splendid race; finally he took a tall,
slim sapling. Now the boys had been cut
ting one another out Of bushy-top trees.
and the rule was not to chop when the
tree started TO fall This tree differed
from those We were accustomed to cut, but
as brother John had made his selection, it
had to come when the tree was reached.
/, like Ole Miles took off my horn and
coat and cut one side then turned to the
other, and Just before it started to fall !
threw a chip out and called to Lion and
Sharp to stand back The sapling bent to
and fro. Finally | made an unlucky chop
just as the sapling started to fall, and it
fairly jumped from the stump, and away
went brother John. The little negroes
made a break for that coon-hut, holy hor-
rors-they raised their hands and cried
% He is kilt He is kilt p and then started
for the Quarter. rushed up and found
brother John gasping for breath. He soon |
said:
What did you hit that last blow for?
You knew the tree was falling
| managed to reply that | made the |
stroke and couldn't hold back, but ii did |
not satisfy him. He gathered himself up |
and made for the house, saying as he went |
90 III tell pa You cut lie out Of a tree and /
have almost killed me-"
My brother tried to prevail on him not |
to tell it, but to no purpose We all fol- !
lowed him, and when we told father his (
grievances he waved his hand and said : !
. Go to bed You will kill one another yet /
with your fooishness."
Father beckoned to one Of the boys to
remain, as we retired, and after hearing
the unexpected turn the coon hunt had |
taken, INDUCED in 4 hearty laugh. My |
brother soon posted me as to the situation |
and exacted a promise that ! should not |
mention the hunt until brother John was
in a proper frame OF mind Though my /
father was not much CT a sportsman, yet |
he always enjoyed this hunt This nights
experience taught brother John it would mt .
10 to act coon, and from that time till now, /
he has never been known to take tree,
not even when our old COW Silver Heel !
pushed him so close as to make him say as
he ran:
" Now lay me down to sleep; should | !
lie before l wake, III he hanged if She /
lon't catch me-" But he made the fence.
and from that day till now has roasted low.
Il american Field.
Love and Soup.