The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-02
I'm THAR AND YOUARE SAFE"
Good and True Men to be Found Among
the >portsmen.

Mr.. Polk Miller, Of Richmond, writes in
the American Field and ~portsmen's Jour
nal rs follows: | don't know how il was
with the boys IN the North before the war;
but the youth of the south. from the time
they were big enough 10 wear pants. would
cry 10 20 hunting with their big brothers.
Although the running brars would scratch
their insteps and cause the blood 10 lOw
they would never cry enough" and unless
we could steal away from Them they were
always on deck. A. he advanced in years.
this love for outdoor spots grew On him, and
when permitted 10 rest his gan or fence
and Kill bluebrd or bee martin as IL
chirpod upon the tOpmosi iirib Of an apple
tree. he lOngcd for ;he time 10 come when be-
would be allowed 10 take the old family
fusee from the rack over the chamber door
and 20 forth all by himself, to enjoy his dar-
ling sport.
When the war came on, the Southern
BOYS, while stranger, 10 llardce's tactics,
were at home with Il gun or rifle. and al
though the Northern soldier soon became SO
expert that he could knock piece Of hard
tack of the point OF a ramrOd when held mp
over the breastWOrks around this city, we
bad the best OF 'em in the beginning Of the
fight. \ majority ot the Northern troops NJ
Manassas came from the large cities. Nd
Crecdmoore had never been heard o.. The
southern soldiers came from the country
first or last. for nearly all Of our young men
IN the cities descended from country sock
and in their visits 10 country cousins in
the summer INDUCED in rifle shooting as a
pastimc, and in the fail never failed 20 try
their luck on partridges.
In the army, the boys who had been raised
with love for hunting, would never miss a
chance to 90 after MOllic Cotton Tail when
ever they struck new camp. When one
was bounced. the rebel yell could be heard
for miles around. our commanding general
often sent staff officers to the scene to tell
us not 10 give ourselves away 10 the enemy.
aud to stop the noise. ~heridan's men
ON hearing it would say: THAT'S
either Stomewall Jackson or an ole
Hyah." ON one occasion while we were in
camp near Winchester, in the Valley Of
Virginia, our chaplain was standing upon a
raised platform in the center OF IA group Of
soldiers representing every branch Of the
seriice. and was delivering powerful SER
mon ON the soldier Of the Cross" Every
man was as attentive as a child listening 10
fairy tale, when there came sailing into
the grove full-grown cock partridge II
alightcd in tree about thirty wards
from the pulpit. Had Clusters cavalry
come dashng Into our midst il
could not have created greater
stir. Johnnie Reb was about that time eat
ing green perSimmOns 10 draw his stomach
up 10 suit the SIZE Of his ratiOns, and though
the par-on begged the men To think Of the
food which feed, the hungry SOUL they
were 50 bent on killing that bird that hi
words were drowned by the noise Of tho
shouting mob The bird was clnging
| i,ln It q. Ia NH al la nd prl J..
ranging in size from a hens egg tO q
paving stone were being hurled ar bim. Th'
excitement ran so high that the mel
| forget all about the preacher wh'
held the fort, although the gum
had been silenced. The yelling brought
the troops from the cavalry and infantry
camps for mile around and as they knew
nothing about the preacher, his position be
came one Of great danger. sai rather thai
be- ushered into the other world a. StepheI
No. >. he vacated till the storm was over
The bird was finally killed, but by whom !
will never be known. The first 10 lay hand
or him was the owner, and he was born
away in triumph tO the headquarters OF In
Hyena Mess. where the boys at once com
menced TO cast lots - decide as % VIII
should have the biggest piece.
In twenty minutes the camp was quie
again. and the routed Dominic resumes
his discourse. not forgetting 10 give Us
lecture on allowing 80 trifing "A circum
stance 10 set us all wild. Among thos'
who were most attentive 10 his preaching
were the very men who few minutes be
fore had been earnestly engaged IN tryin
% kill Bob White.
And. reader. II will always he thus: th
good and the true men. everywhere VIII d
found in the ranks OF those who. while lOvin
tho sports of the field. can ALWAYS be cOunte
on 10 tight the devil. The boys who rushe'
for their arms (rocks) that day, meant "a
dsrespect 10 the preacher or the cause 70
which he was laboring, but great scott
how can man withstand such tempta
ton rs Was put before him on that day
Had the preacher adjourned the meetin
promptly and told the boys that he was Wit
Them alway. while the bird was not,
would have been the proper thing 10 do.
Reader, did YOU ever see genuine sport
man who was an infidel! Did you ever 80
one who was mean, selfish, illiberal and ~
hospitabIe D no. lie hates all these quail
ties in man. In his rambes through th
fields and forests, every step he takes bring
him into paths in which he can trace ia
handiwOrk Of the great Creator. As
drinks from the crystal stream gushing fro,
beneath the massive rock In some lionel
; mountain gorge, he is refreshed, and
grateful humility is ready to exclaim frol
the depths Of his inmost soul: This roe
was cleft for me -
: famous old Virginia fox hunter, and
, man who had seen great deal OF the smal
ness in mankind In his day. once gave n
this adyice, and commend II 10 my broth'
sportsmen in every land: "lf ever you al
2 travelling In a strange country and want
. find lodgings for tho night whar you ca
!. rest without fear OF being robbed or mu
Q dered during the night, look out for son
; house on the roadside whar u lot o. houn'
|. or setter dogs come runnin' after you.
IN thar, and you are saie."