The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-06

breakfasts, which are sumptuous affairs.
Great ounds of cold beef, game patties and
salads are spread out. All sorts of drinks.
from beer to champagne and various
"cups" are offered. One of the ladies of
the house sits at the head of the table, with
a large antique silver urn before her, and
with tea and coffee ready for those who
wish these beverages.
Some girls come on horseback, and look
very pretty in their habits. These Dianas
dismount and cut slices of beef, and make
impromptu sandwiches for their friends
outside, who have not dismounted. The
daughters of the house stand on the steps,
while liveried servants hand around cake
and wine, and Others carry foaming tank
ards of ale and liberal slices of cheese
among the farmers and attendants of the
kennel.
It is an indoor and an outdoor feast. The
hounds are gathered in a group. the hunts
man standing on the center cracking a
whip, and calling each hound by his name.
Two or three masters of n%eighboring packs
are talking to the master of the hounds. He
is one of the prominent gentlemen of the
county who holds ~fox-hunting as something
sacred, ond the killing of a fox otherwise
than in a legitimate manner as one of the
seven deadly sins.
Twelve O'Clock strikes, and everyone be-
gins to stir. Generally the hunt is off at
eleven, but in honor of this breakfast a de-
lay has been allowed. The huntsman
mounts his horse and blows his horn; the
hounds gather around him, and the whole
field starts out. They are going to draw the
park. The Notwithstanding the fox
h~oles-have been stopped for miles around
SO that the fox once started has no refuge
to make for and is compelled to give the
horses a run. 1t is a mean, cowardly sport,
and no fair play about it.
Rr{ - td IN ~ nI~LL Ill., I---1.
first, and, their noses to the ground, search
for the acent. The hunters and %whippers-
in, professional sportsmen, in scarlet coats
and velvet jockey caps, ride Immediately
next to them, followed by the field. In a
little while n confusion of rumors
and cries is heard in the wood,
various calls are blown on the
horn, and the frequent cracking Of
high whips, which sound is used to keep
the hounds in order, has all the effect of a
succession of pistol shots. Hank. the fox
has broken cover" and n repeated cry of
Tally Hop bursts from the wood. Away
20 the hounds, full cry, and what sports
a bay and a yelp, is indeed a pleasant
sound, heard as it always is under circum-
stances calculated to give it "A romantic
character. Many ladies and small boys are
amonRs the followers of the chase. As soon
as a boy can sit on his pony he begins to
follow the hounds.
A fox has no ''tail' and no fleet" in
hunting parlance, he has only Il brush"
and pads" The person who is ''in
at the DEATH receives the "brush'' and
pads"
Ih hun is a privileged body in Eng
land, and can make gaps in hedges and
break down walls with %impunity. The
farmer never complains il his wheat and
turnip fields are ruined by the sport, nor
does a lady complain if her flower garden
and ornamental arbor LIE laid in ruins.
The poor creature who has made such n
desperate run for his life must be killed at
any cost.
Shooting is, however, the ~fayorite snort
of all EnQlishmen. Both pheasants and
partridRes are first carefully reared. the
eggs generally purchased i'll large auanti-
ties, Matched by hens, and the birds fed
through the summer with meal and other
appropriate food. Tho gu1nekeepers take
the greatest pride in the rearing OF these
the Englishmun what the Ibis
was to the Egyptian. He is pettcd, wor-
shipped and killed, II sacred bird. They
are let loose in the woods only when nearly
full grown. When the covers are full
and a good bag il to DO expected. the lat Of
October is u regular feast day, tt large party
IS asked and a variety of costumes makes
the scene picturesque. Gentlemen dress in
red Or purple stockings, knickerbockers of
stout cloth or velveteen, n shooting JACKET
OF rough. heavy material and stout shoes,
Such is the costume.
The ladies collect after breakfast to see
the party start out, a rendezvous is
agreed upon, and luncheon or tea brings
them together Mt either two or five O'Clock,
under q shelterinR hedge on the side of a
wood, The materials of an ample meal are