Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-17
A MISSOURI COON HUNT.
FUN IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT WITH THE DARKlES AND DOGS.

file they marched out of the sitting room to the space in front of the club house. The party numbered fully thirty-five, with the coon hunters and natives who go along for the purpose of chopping the trees should they succeed in finding the game Some of the party had lanterns and others carried torches, such as are used for political parades. Four or five axes were taken; the dogs were called together and the party was ready.
 There were about seven dogs in the hunt, and it could be plainly seen by their action. that they were perfectly aware of what wa. going on. They watched their masters close ly, as though awaiting the order to dash away. The black and tan hound predomi mated among the lot They were all well broken and tried coon dogs If there are any coons or 'possums prowling around to- night in this bottom" |" said one of the natives, ''them dogs will most certainly find 'em"
 Finally Old Sol appeared with 6 fire brand in his hand, and, with long drawn out 'whooPee, whoop'em up," the dogs were given the word and dashed off for the woods Old Sol took the lead and kept up his call of encouragement to the dogs as the party started.
 OLD SOI. WAS RIGHT
 The attack had begun; open war was to be waged, and heaven save the poor coons and possums that were to come in their way The course which the party took was south easterly from the club house. They had gone but short distance when one of the dogs gave the alarm, and the hearts of all began to jump with joy at the prospects of battle between the dogs and the coon. Old Sol said it was Rambler, and it was q sure thing he was on the track of coon.
 Maj. Caruth said it might be 'possum.
 Old Sol was certain that 1t was q coon the dogs were trailing; he could distinguish the difference in old Rambler's bark when he had q coon or possum.
 Suddenly the whole pack took up the alarm, and the long drawn out alarm bark of the hounds was welcome music to the ears of the whole party.
 Listen" says Old Sol Dat am old Ram bier and Snider. Got coon, sho', and right in 'mongst dem big trees in de bottom"
 All hands go to them, and sure enough Old Sol was right; the dogs had treed coon up one of the biggest oaks in the forest
 ''Look at dat tree good" said Old Sol, "an' if 1t am got any limbs on it we'll send up some one an shake dat coon out"
 ''No," said one of the natives, there are no limbs on it. Stand back there and gives me room to chuck my coat, an we'll fling that tree in q mighty few minutes"
 "An hands heah wid axes" cried out Old Sol.
 Four big, strong and determined fellows two on a side-take off their coats, throw down their hats and tackle the three foot tree With long, measured, steady strokes their axes cut into the heart of this giant of the forest
 ''Spell us," one of the choppers exclaimed, and four fresh men stepped forward and took their places.
 "Look out; she's cracking" some one was orI $0 ,,,I %ho came that giant of the forest and mister coon came down with 1t. With a mad rush the dogs sprang forward to give the coon a warm reception. Everybody was shouting, and the dogs were barking, the whole party making nolse that was almost deafening.
 It was big coon, and splendid fighter He soon sent son2e of the dogs-those that were not gritty-howling away with pain, and they took no further part in the fight Once or twice the coon broke away from the crowd and tried to escape, and when he did the circle which was formed around the scrimmage broke and ran.
 When this happened several incidents oc- cured that were very amusing The hunters would pile over one another in their mad rush to get back, and at one time a number of them were piled in one heap.
 MADE IT LIVELY FOR THE DOGS
 The dog Snider showed his ying qualities and exhibited the most grit. An effort was made to hold several of the dogs and only allow one or two to tackle the coon at a time But the excitement became so intense that no one knew what he was doing half the time. All were yelling at the top of their voices and the dogs were barking; the noise was fearful; no doubt it could have been heard for miles In that bottom at night. At one time when the result was doubtful and one of the favorite dogs howled with pain, some one shouted out:
 'Use the ax on him; don't allow him to kill Old Rambler"
 "No," shouts Old Sol, "doan do dat, let 'em fight 'er out. Old Rambler will git dar purity soon"
 Presently Old Rambler got throat hold on the coon and the death rattle could be plainly heard.
 The game was up for the coon; 1t was only Q question of a short time until he could breathe no more. He had made his last ex- cursion on earth. Rambler pinned him to the ground and squeezed him to death Snider did some great fighting and for a puppy only year old acquitted himself in . remarkable manner.
 The battle was commented upon by ell for a moment or two and then the dogs were started off again.
 A light snow began to fall about this time, lo "hASA Ao AcSO "dS p4l1u ny tue pdTCy. They all had seen great fight and were anx- ious for another.
 Presently the bark of Old Rambler again gave the alarm, and when the party reached the dogs they had two coons treed. This was moro than any one had bargained for in so short time. Coons were plentiful for a cer- tainty. The choppers were put to work the tree this time was not large one and it was cut down in short order. But the coon was a little too quick for the dogs, and before they could catch him he was up another tree. This tree was hewn down, and as it fell, the coon sprang from 1t into another tree. Then there was another tree to cut. This time the dogs nailed him. He was a young one and was soon sent to kingdom como by Snider. As soon as he was finished the other tree was cut and that coon went the some route as those before him.
 Shortly after this the dogs treed couple of hpossums, which were added to the bag in very quick time. As 1t was now after o'clock in the morning, it was decided to start for the club house.-St Louis Republic.
 Loves Labor Lost.
 Tommy" said the teacher sternly, ''yom writing Is wretched; it is nothing but . Scrawl"