The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-25

N'y%,& so % + Sc of 't the chase sss
and the firing of the sporting gun: the hand
ling Of the rod and the routing of the f1nny
tribe from watery homes. Just as long as
such men survive there will be abroad In the
land a class OF people who will indulge IN
stretching their blankets an Amusement
harmless TO every one but themselves.
Sometimes. viewer. YOU VIII find hunter
who is honest. who enjoys reputation 80 ex-
cel.ent. that he Is not forced G. exGgerate the
exploits. either of himself or his dogs IN
order 10 convey n proper idea OF the prowess
and skill OF either the one or the other. It is
re re hing 20 meet such man, ana listen 70
his enthusiastic variations OF field sport ad-
ventures told in true hun'smanliks style:
and emhelished with word Illustrations, heard
| only in hunting circles.
KDMUSD WINSTON.
Edmund Winston. of Hanover. is q man Of
| that class. Among other great things that
this famous county has produced is race OF
| huntsmen that have never been eguale IN
the chase They had the finest fox hounds
in tho world. rode the most Thoroughbred
! hunters aud rode as only hanover huntsa,en
! could ride The changes that made the
Grand Army Of Pensi ners have nearly
t removed rom the stage OF action ali OF these
| famous hunismfD. horses and hounds. The
swe sound of tie CHEEKY fox horn and the
merry music Of tho pack. Ike the beDel
| veil lives mostly IN memory. The farm
| baud that hoed corn for hounds and horses
pulls fodder now from sickly weed chokeI
/ stalks for "a sumac bull instead of his ma ters
| thoroughbred hunter. The ample farms are
! divided into small patches and tie lazy freed
/ man thumps the earth so feebly that pit
lance pays him where once rich returns re-
/ warded effort.
! There still remains however. one of the
! old time huntsmen. true type OF the Viz
/ olnia fox hunter.
That man is Edmund Winston. Of Hanover.
I The Win,tOns aud the SutfOns were the
best hunter, that tire State Toasted. They
loved the chase aud knew dog more from
his qualities than from his pedigree. td-
mund Winston inherited this family trait,
and is TO-DAY the most com 2lete representa-
tive OF the true fox hunter that lives in the
Mon Ills means permitted him 10 IN
duigo 10 the fullest extent IN the sport me
loved 80 we'll and he spent them royalty.
lie is q man Of fine physique. robust and mus
cular AMI capable of great endurance. His
eve is keen his voice clear and susceptible
of being heard mile. lie keeps none but
the most genuine fox hounds, and no man
ever crossed leg over better beasts than
his hunters.
FUN ~ TIE FIYLD.
Edmund" "a he is Familiarity known by
his friends has seen as much run in the field
a. can be found there. lie knew the nose and
bottD m OF his dogs. aud tie speed aud last
ing qualities of his horses and when be went
ont he was not disturbed by fears or doubts
as 10 the result. He was like Pompey Organ,
the celebrated bird shot Of Brunswick county.
who told the best shot in the state, Ned
Stokes of Lunenburg. when asked by him,
Can yOu shoot partrdces:"
All want 'em TO do is TO fly up."
Al that Winston wants l. II Jump fox
As matter of course lie had rivals env-
Gus Of bis fame a hunter. and the result
WAS many lot y-cOntested challenge hunts
IN all OF these. when Edmund was IN the hey
day of his hunting fame, he came out con-
queror.
From York river TO the mountains he led his
pack. coming home always from close chase
contests wearing the laures of the hunt and
the brush Of the game His description Of
some Of these hunts IS vivid, truthful and
thoroughly huntsmaulike.
~ ORANGE COUNTY.
IL is pity that some Of these stories can
not he told in his own words, so descriptive
and interesting are they. But 10 man can do
this except Edmund Winston.
one of ms best stories about n challenge
hunt in Orange county. IL was Winston. of
Hanover. aga INST Orange county. forfeit.
champagne supper for all at the courthouse.
Edmund mounted his best hunter blew
hi- horn and re, ont for Orange followed by
Il pack OF hounds that could make as sweet /
music ~ ever woke ringing echoes on a |
frosty morn. or worked q cold trail through |
forest and field.
lie reache the homo OF one ot the cha- |
lengers and put up with him. His host had |
"A fine pack OI hounds. anil this always indl- |
Gates unbOunded hospitality. aud IN this term |
there was no exception 20 the rule. Edmund |
had his hounds 50 well trained that they |
came TO their meals obeyed his commands |
implicitly, behaved so orderly while eating |
and retired 10 their quarters when the meals |
were over with such good order as % excite
the attention and commentator OF tho good |
lady OF the house.
Next morning. after his arrival. Edmund |
was up with the sun. The neighboring hunts
men. bringing their packs with them we're
so II on hand; the horn sounded the hunters
mounted and the hunt commenced II would |
make a huntsmen happy 10 hear Edmund tel
OF each days hunt for one weeks time, that
being the limit Of the challenge lie names
the days that exceled. described the field.
aud mountains trayersed talks about the
scent being breast high" and paints a pic
ture from life in words that hold the listener
wind NJ up always with torclble description |
of tie work that caused his dogs 10 win.
Then be brngs you back 10 the hospitable
hons OF his Orange county host TO spend a |
joviai evening before blazing log fires and in
the midst OF comfort. and plenty Of it. too.
THAT HOUND. HIGHsTEp.
~ slept in an Office under tho oaks in the
yard. said Edmund. and the last day but
one ! went 90 bed feeling tired and happy.
for up TO that time had cleaned out Orange
county. When awoke next morning il was
sun up. looked around. and there were
three or four men standing near my bed, and |
one Of them said
" Edmund. are YOU willing 10 let to-day's
hunt settle the bet"
Hardly awake good. and not thinking
said yes. and you may bring in fresh pack
# you choose
That's what we want to do said he and |
then ! was introduced 10 gentleman who |
was standing IN the middle OF the room hold
ne the mouth of wheat bag in his hand |
while the other end of il rested on the floor. |
Where's your pack, sir ! asked.
Here 1t IS" said he. and [ looked be- |
hind him, and give you my word | never
saw such thing IN the shape OF hound as
was standing there. He was as big a. a yearl
nc, aud when he came up and stood by his
masters side he was nearly half as tall a. the
nan himself His ears were as bic as
beaver 5 tail and lie was built from the ground |
Up.
i don't see but one dog" said l. .
ihshstep Is all the dog i want" was the
'ool reioinder.
What's in your bag"
lied fox said he ''Highstep CAUGHT him
'hile was coming over here
ms almost took my breath away: here
we're my dogs ioot-sore and broken down af
er weeks heavy hunting. and here WAS tbls
onfounded fellow with fnopsteY dov TINT