People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-11-25
A THANKSGIVING HUNT.
How the Mighty Ntmrods Fared-Dinner
in tha Tor@st

those they do not.
The writer has in mind a hunting
party Of the second class-that which
appears not on the written page, nor is
found in the mouths of men. It went
for big ganc, and got but little of it. It
went out with plenty of wagon room in
which to bring back venison, deer and
antelope to tickle the stay at homes
palates, and returned, the wagon space
still unoccupied and carrying no load
but that of solid, soggy, destroyed
hopes. Yet the party was successful
in way.
There were days-a week of days
that the party walked or rode over the
hill and plain without getting shot at
anything. The members became dis
trustful Of each other and cast chances
that plainly asked, "Who is the Jonah
of this trip" For they were hunters by
instinct and training-not Of little feath-
cred birds, but of game that it takes
brains as we'll as powder and lead to
reach. They knew the haunts Of the
game that they wanted-deer and ante
lope-but they were perpetually to wind
ward, and game fed the country before
them. After week Of disappointment,
Of muscles aching with unrewarded toll,
OF steady bread and bacon diet oppos-
ing a rising appetite, desperation took
the upper hand.
"Im getting pretty sick of bacon"
said one.
sit looks like that is all we'll get,"
said another.
It was at this juncture that the party
happened on small bunch of wild cattle.
It was the first meat on the hoof with
which their eyes had been blessed. It
was an exciting moment, and the leader
of the party rapturously brought his rifle
to his shoulder and shot down yearling
heifer.
ga deer at lastl Look at the antlers"
he yelled, capering gleefully about.
"You are mistaken; it's a cow" said o
more conservative member.
The leader looked doubtfully at his
prize and shook his head. II admit that
appearances are against me-" said he.
"But-so excited-hadn't shot gun for
SO long-sick Of bacon-no, no; you're
mistaken. It is deer meat"
So this lawless, reckless party took a
hind quarter and journeyed on. The
next day deer was actually seen and
killed. Hope revived, and the party es-
timated the probable result of the trip,
with large balance on the credit side.
The third day from the opening of the
season the route led through a beautiful
oak country. Underbrush there was in
plenty, and the enthusiastic leader Of the
party looked wisely about as he observed
to another, "Should think we ought to
run across some mast hogs in here"
Strangely enough, at that moment a
sedate old black and white SOW hove in
sight, with her progeny trailing at her
heels. With porker's usual disregard Of
consequences she was moving straight
against the face of providence. The
leaders gun was ready, and in mo-
ment the choicest Of the litter was o
victim of maternal inprudence. The
mother galloped away with no apparent
regret, and ghea brvth6rsr and sisters of
the deceased went galloping after.
That night-Thanksgiving eve-the
party camped in sheltered canyon.
There was spring, of clear water in
which water crosses grew. There was
grass in plenty for the mules. There
was wood for a roaring campfire. Who
so happy, SO we'll contented, as the hunt
ers as they sat about the blaze, pulling
contentedly at their pipes and thinking
of the grand and varied feast they would
have on the morrow There were bacon,
pork, beef and venison; there were
onions, potatoes and canned tomatoes,
-four, salt, pepper, baking powder. The
next day these should be combined in
the most appetizing form. A stew with
dumplings! The chOicestof meats, roast
Or boiled!
In their minds eye they beheld them
selves fattening upon the good things
that their rifles had procured or their
forethought had provided.
Twenty-four hours later this was an
accomplished fact. There was nothing
left to eat. But the fire burned gayly
and the pipes smoked as pipes should.
Complacency and lethargy possessed the
party.
81 don't feel as though I'd ever move
again, . said the recumbent leader.
''Mebbe it's just as we'll if you don't, ,"
said strange voice, and the strange
owner of it stepped out into the fire.
light. He had mean looking gun in
his hands, and the muzzle pointed group
ward.
II just brought few friends along to
help you keep Thanksgiving" he con
tinued, and under the spell of his words
or gun-the party remained statu-
esquely motionless.
81 kinder thought you would like to
pay for that ehote Of mine you killed
yesterday" he inquired.
"And at the same time I'll collect for
that heifer," said another stranger, ad-
vancing from the opposite direction.
The party fancied itself surrounded.
Then the conservative member spoke.
eyes, certainly, gentlemen; name your
price. We shall be glad to pay it."
''That saves us all a heap of trouble"
remarked the visitors with peculiar en-
phasis as they took what money they
wanted and rode away with it. They
left behind nothing but a spirit of
unrest-a longing to quit the country
strangely at variance with the peaceful
content of few minutes before. It
was voiced b. the leader, that eccentric
genius who had slain both heifer and
shote.