Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-26

scissors and cuts a number on the heavy
coat OF the mule, marks this number, the
name and address of the peasant in q note
book, and then repeats the operation with
other animals until he has made as many
purchsses>ss he has money. When the
market closes, after three days of busy
traffic, ne goes over the country collecting
his mules, and then turns their heads to-
wards their new homes.
The picturesque dress of these Spanish
mountaineers gives romantic air 10 the
streets of Pau during the period OF the
mule market. Imagine a tall, sturdy,
bronze faced fellow, with sandals on his
feet, heavy white stockings reaching to his
knee, where they are met by loose breeehes
of a rather somber color, fastened at the
side by laciugs, set of by tinkEng brass
bangles; an open Jacket, of the same hue
as the small clothes, revealing an embrol-
dered shirt; q dark brown silk hsndker-
chief bound round the top Of the head,
and black felt hat crowning all, while a
large thick blanket of brilliant dye is
thrown gracefully over the left shoulder
such is the appearance OF one OF these
brigand-iookiug mule dealers.
The most fashionable distraction at Pau
is fox hunting, participated in principally
by English and American sportsmen,
Frenchmen not entering in heartily to this
breskneck psstime. Thrice week, wheth-
er it rain, blow or shine, the assiduous
huntsmen ride out to the meet,
watch varies on each occasion, some
times being five or six miles
from town. The horse that carries
them to the rendezvous is called the
hack" He is there exchanged for q
fresh, strongly-built animal, whose legs are
unchPped as q protection against the
briers and thorns that beset q cross coun'
Try chase. The rider is attired IN top
boots, white breeches and coat, and high
silk hat. The Teeting place IS some
farmyard or village green, which is soon
filed with horsemen, dogcarts and four IN
hands, while the staring natives TORN an
outer circle. The impatient barking oil
the hounds, eager to be- after the poor tox,
the sounding of trumpets OF tardy mali
coach, the neighing of the paving steeds
and the merry laugh ofyoung women and
the hslooing OF their escorts, 9Th a sott
sunlight spread over all, forms charming
picture not easily eflsced from the MIND
But the fox has been let loose, the dogs
are OF and the hunters follow IN body
leaving those Of us-the vast majority
who have simply come out TO see the start,
10 wind our way SLOWLY home again. 10
wards evening the weary sporismen begin
20 drop into town Mos: OF them have FOL
lowed the hounds over moon and through
copse, leaping hedges and dashing over
treacherous marshes, without any accident
Detailing horse or rider. But others nave
not been so fortunate. A disfgured face,
a broken arm, sprained ankle aud even
q mortal fall, are not intrequent occur.
rences, go that the hectored fox, that | am
Glad TO know generally escapes unhurt
and the hard ridden horses that often suffer
more than their masters, are avenged upon
the indulsers in this cruel sport.
Bat fox hunting is not the only source OF
amusement for the foreign element OF Pau.
They are well kept and we'll pa'ronlzed
lawn tennis grounds |here you eau liz
dulge in this agreeable game throughout
the whole winter: on the links 6y the river
there is plenty room for golf, bat and
bali game that have never seen played IN
America; but one thai 10 very popular on
the English and Scottish downs; and the
little theatre ia tavorite rendezvous tor
conversation rather than for seeing the
pla7. Then,to0, when the season ID fully
under way, which is now the case, there are
dinner parties and balls and visits that nj
Nd the idle hours Of the most mundane
loypra ofsocial pleasures. In a word, Paw
seems to please everybody. The invalid
delights 10 its mild climate, the sportsman
in lts level hedge-bound fields, The pedes
TRAN in its admirable aud inuumerable
roads and lands and the beaux aud belle:
in ia select and well-'naunered society
No wonder. therefore, that the last steamer
from New York TO Bordeaux brought Owe
ten horses. owned by wealthy denizens o
the American metropolis who are coming
for a winter acjourn in this most charm
irg corner OF beautiful France.
THEODORE STANTON.