The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-06-22
A LIVELY EXPERIENCE.

A LIVELY EXPERIENCE.
The Truth About Fox Hunting by
One Who Has Given It Up.
my dear fellow, it's most awfully good
Of you; awfuliy kind. But IL make It q
rule never to hunt another mans horses
never" sit back in my chair as l say this
70 Pudgewood, whose guest am, and ns-
sumo look which ought to convince him
that am making q sacrifice to principle
which causes me profound regret and dis
appointment; but somehow he doesn't
seem to believe it.
Nonsense, Joncsi" he says. an give
you the old gray; he's the quietest hunter
l have In the stable. Steady a. house.
and ~ clever on his legs as q cat, / defy
Jon to bring that horse down, STRIP he con-
cludes, with an emphatic thump on the din
ner-table.
Now, strictly between ourselves. Il had
never occurred to me that there was the
least likelihood Of my bringing the horse
down. Wellfounded apprehensions lest it
should bring nedown prompt my disinclina-
ton TO accept Pudgewood's offer; but of
course 1t isn't necessary to tell him that.
was speaking the truth when told him
that ] made II rule never to hunt another
mans horses; made that rule long ago.
and, never having hitherto met any one
who tempted me to break Il. have
found no difficulty In adhering to Il.
When told Mrs. Jones to accent the
Pudgewoods' invitation to spend q week at
their place in Stoneshire. / quite forgot that
Anthony Pudgewoood was one of those few
hunting-men who are generous enough To
mount their friends. Had l remembered
the fact should have come to Barn sdale
with sprained wrist, or something which
would effectually prevent man attemptinR
to ride 1t Is quite obvious that Fudge
wood won't be put on by my plea of .sprin-
ciple;" 50 must try another argument.
II don't Hike refusing your offer, Fudge
WOOD" l say; land should have enjoyed a
day with the hounds immensely, but / have
brought no riding things with me.n That
ought to b conclusive, think But no.
Pudgewood casts critical eye over nv
figure, and says thoughtfully: my clothes
wouldn't 1T you. Pm afraid.-But George
you remember my brother Georgel-left all
his hunting kit here, and he is Just the same
build - you are. I'll lend you some of his
things"
Every loophole Of escape seems to be clos
ing up cast an appealing look at nv
wife, who Is sitting opposite me. She is .
clever woman, Mrs. Jones, though say II;
wonderfully ready, and Of boundless re-
source give her glance which Is in
tended to convey Help me out of it, but
sne falls to grasp my meaning. and helps me
inf
when Mr.. Pudgewood Is 90 kind a. 10
oner you mount, Algernon, really think
you ought to take it." she says.
'Quite right, Mrs. JONES'" assents FUDGE
WOOL II shouldn't like your husband to 20
away from BarnsdaIe without having
gailop with the Stoneshire hounds. l know
how fond of hunting he is; he has often told
me of his doings"
Things are growing worse Pm afraid
must have given Pudgewood wrong inn
preston when talked to him about hunt |
Ing. Ny experience Of the sport of kings
has been that Of an onlooker from the seat |
OF dog-cart. fused to enjoy that thor |
ouRhly, particularly the lunchinR part of |
the days business. when was staying up |
In Yorkshire last winter. l have some. |
times been for ride along the road; but |
never rode to hounds in nv life. and |
ought to have mentioned the fact, which |
ruoRewood does not appear to be &C |
quainted with. wish there weren't 40 |
many people present; really have not the |
courage 70 explain how have gained the /
knowledge OF hunting matters which have
ooen airing 90 freely all dinner-time before /
sucn crowd 1t would look too foolish.
I'm desperately afraid that it's going to
Iroese tonight" said young gentleman.
oraw1nR aside the window-blind as soon A /
the ladies' have left the room; ''it's looking
horribly clear.n
Inc remark 10 received with chorus Of
indignant dissent, in which / join feebly.
Every body has good reason to believe that
u won't freess; the thermometer has been
rising, and the barometer has been steady
~ oey There's . south wind; and Jinks
the hrst whip, said only yesterday that
tnere wouldn't be frost again for = fort
night Jinks appears to be an infallible
authority on the weather, judging from the
manner 10 which his opinion is Quoted and
received. Every body IL soothed by the an
nouncement; and we draw in our chairs.
directing scornful glances at the npstart
who took upon himself to look out OF the
window, and who now relapses into snubbed
silence breathe an inward prayer tor at
least ten degrees Of FROST and try not to
hate the unknown links. That is nv one
hope now; II 1t freezes I am saved; II IL
1oon't-
Unjust confess there Is something about
which gives the wearer feel
Nc Of confidence; and Is stand before the
mirror n my dressing-room this morning,
'lrgod out IN George Pudgewood's buck I
klno nd top-boote which a. me admirably, L
-.-H - a. - 4