The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-21
THE COMEDY Of SPORT.
1t Is to Be Found in Hunting the
Postum, Natures Animal
Clown.
"Let's Go Postum Hunting" the
Magic Invitation That
Stirs the Blood.
The MQtlaE Assemhlaea Off for the Xaods
The Motley A~ssemblage Off for the Woods
"A Pups Ignorance Displayed
Shaking Down.

OF all sports of field or forest, mountain
or plain, wooded hillsides or swampy
%jungles, none affords such real genuine,
jolly, rollicking fun as the old-fashioned
possum hunt. which is a peculiarly southern
institution, and can be Eeen in perfection
only on the old plantations and among the
darkies; it is a joyous, boistsrous, go-as-
you-pleass frolic. and it is eagerly entered
into and enjoyed by all classes, from the
learned judge to the irrepressibls small boy
and the h~appy-go-lucky cornield negro.
If "all tho world's a STAGE" war and the
hunting and killing of men is certainly high
tragedy; fox hunting, hawking and suoh
like sports constitute melodrama; while
possum hunting is assuredly comedy in its
most attractive and enjoyable shape, and
no audience ever vent to circus or play
house more determined on fun or in such
humor to be pleased as does tho party which
starts on a possum hunt. The possum is
natures clown, and plays his part to perfec-
ton, and the very sight of one ia provocative
OF laughter; have never seen a mani unless il
was some disgruntled poultry owner, whose
han roost had been the objective point of
Br'sr Possum's nocturnal yisits) who could
look the "varmint" in the facs (no matter
whether it was swinging by its tail from
the limb of a persimmon tree, or playing
possum and ~fsiguing death as it lay on the
ground. or when it had reached it's highest
mission and. being nicely baked and
Drowned and garnished and guarded by a
Gordon of sweet potatoes and rich gravy,
filled 4 big dish and the post of honor on
the Inner table and smiled q hospitable
welcome to hungry hosts without a good
humored broadening of his own counter
ance and q licking Of his chops, in emin-
iscence Of the fun of possum hunting and
anticipation of = feast fit for the gods; in
fact the possum himself appears to know
and appreciate his role. and has q droll
way of laughing at everything and under
all circumstances, seeming to enjoy the
hunt and his bodily sacrifice as much as
do his captors and the knight of the knife
and fork.
There is a charm and a fascination in the
possum hunt which always brings swest
memories to the conntry-raised southerner.
and are not to be appreciated by others.
Just say to one of these old white-haired
v.eterans, Lets go possum hunting" and
immediately his face lights up with a smile,
there is forgiveness in his heart for every
oicthy Ia uc % dt peace With Ill inc world,
while memory runs riot in the misty past.
and the most pleasant recollections and
"reminiscences displace the corking cares
and tiresome troubles of to day, and it is
only with a deep sigh of regret that the
d cam is broken. l have known grave sen.
ators, astute lawyers, millionaire business
men, professional men and foreign trav-
elers, men from almost every grade and
pursuit of life. to return in their
sixties for brief visits to the old
plantations. and despite their rheumatism
they would 20 postum hunting and enjoy