Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-22
A TALE OF THE WOODS.
The Intense Excitement Under which
Squirrel Hunter LabOred-Mr. Sar.
Wis Remarkable Experience.


Mr. Jesse sarvis, the newspaper correspond
ent, has been in the habit for number of years
past Of going to central Pennsylvania and
spending the greater portion Of his summer
vacation in fishing. The narration Of his expe-
rience on his return has added many striking
chapters to the Munchausen element in pisca-
torial literature. Mr. Sarvis does not follow the
wellbeaten track Of making the interest of his
stories depend upon the large number Of fish
caught and their extraordinary size, but rather
on the adroitness and skill with which the
water Is whipped and the fish landed. Perhaps
1t was the hot weather that the other day d.
babbling streams, but whatever was the cause
Mr.. Sarvis began to tell q STAR man that his
annual trip this year would not occur until Oc-
tober.
II expect to do great deal OF hunting while
am away" said Mr.. Sarvis as he gazed PEN
sively out upon the pavement as 1t lay blister
Hunting" exclaimed the listener with sur
prise. why thought that you devoted your
entire time to fishing"
last year my brother invited me to 60 hunting,
and 1t was a perfect revelation to me. Talk
about excitement; why never had anything
stupid in comparison, and fishing is like going
to bed. ! will never forget the experience Of
the first day as long as live. You see, we were
hunting squirrels. OF course squirrels are not
but up in that country there Is no large game,
and for a man who has had no experience the
sport assumes the proportions of deer hunting.
had gone up ravine, and presently saw q
gray squirrel some distance ahead, and 1t was
coming towards me. dropped to the ground.
to avoid frightening the squirrel, and got my
gun all ready. The squirrel came on. began
TO feel my blood run more rapidly, and a thrill
coming on The perspiratlon started from every
pore, my hands became wet with moisture and
could hear my heart beat. Still the squirrel
kept coming on. II was time to take aim, but
to come short and fast, and a dim
seemed to gather over my eyes. I did not
seem TO be able to control the growing excite
ment, and the sensations that I experienced
surprised and startled me. The squirrel was
now quite near. but could no longer direct
over in a partially unconscious condition.
When recovered the squirrel had gone, and
the cause of the excitement being removed,
soon regained my normal condition. But the
believe that it would have killed me-"
as the degree OF excitement proportioned to
the size of the gamer" asked the listener, who
had followed the narrative with breathlese
interest
"Certainly it is" replied Mr.. Sarvis with
great earnestness. 1.-THE larger the animal the
greater the excitement, and as tell you. I be.
heve that II 1t had been deer instead Of q
squirrel the strain would have killed me- For
real genuine excitement there Is nothing equal
to hunting and could not 60 back to fishing
now. 1t Is entirely too tame. OF course after
an experience Of some days was able TO shoot
q squirrel, but still feel an exhilaration that
has no counterpart in anything have ever ex.
perienced."
Before Mr. sarvis could unfold further the
philosophy Of the sport Of hunting he waa
called away, and THE STAR man reflected upop
this curious experience.