The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-07


Head or president of the club. which,
strange TO say. has no name. natural
affinity, or. as it were. an uneXpressed
congenially, seems TO bind this quartette
of nature-loving gentlemen together.
They have no set or especial time or
the year for going on their trips, ana
DerhaDs the suddenness with which they
make I'D their minds 10 leave ig one or
the chief pleasures. When things are
light In the judicial department. and the
enterprising law offender ceases for
while 10 offend. Mr.. Meredith VIII saun-
ter down to Uncle Billy's Office. fernaps
ne may find his friend Cannon already
there. and before he has fairly seated
himself. Mir. j. n. Cullingworth, with his
sm-like smile, Will happen in.
Cigars are soon in order, and each
gentleman drops into an easy chair. ele-
YATES his feet ON Uncle Billy's table, and
the fun commences. The Major passes
'em around" by way Of introducing the
preliminaries.
THrY GROW REMINIsCTNr.
AS the blue, fllmy clouds rise in circles
about the heads OF these stolid business
men, they begin to grow reminiscent
and presently Mr.. Cannon opens up the
conversation.
SAY Bill, how much did that club
you caught the morning before we left
last year weigh
-Four pounds"
Here Mr.. Meredith breaks in:
Boys. YOU remember when Cannon's
pointer flushed those birds In that little
cMmp OF cedars, and l made that double
with one barrely''
They are off the fever is on them, and
before they break up, IL is decided that
,aII l..uN f.N "a
for Carries Pond. This is slightly specu-
lative. and If my DEPRESSION is 100 wide.
must beg pardon OF my four friends. but
you win grant me that 1t is a very nat
ural way for this nameless club OF jolly
sportsmen TO get together.
THE MAJOR IN CHARGE.
Wen, OF course the Major has charge
OF all tho traps. and no small job he has.
Guns. fishing-rods, buckets, baskets,
boxes, bundles kegs, boots and a large
store OF provisions. Indeed a small
army could hardly carry more baggage
on a years campaign than does this quar-
tette on weeks outing. Now, just
what happens when the party is safely
ensconccd at Carlos. is hard 10 say. but
a jolly. bowling good time. is in order ana
they have IL.
1t is early TO bed and early 10 rise.
There are days when. with guns and
high-top boots, the party follow the
dogs and bag birds galore. and then II is
a day on the pond. or in some neighbor-
ing stream, ana good catches are made.
At night, after one Of the Majors choice
suppers. whist is engaged in. and some
rare and exciting rubbers are played.
And thus for a week or so these Nir-
ginia gentlemen revel In the pure coun-
try air. enjoy themselves 10 their hearts
content and return home happier and
healthier men.
THEY TILL NO TAIYs.
They tell no tales, so their friends
never fight shy OF them; but II you want
20 know who caught the biggest fish.
who bagged the most birds. and any other
interesting particulars. just stop Major
Austin as he shuflies along tho post-ofiice
corridors. and ne will tell YOU some OF
the charming stories or FISH and bird"
that he has told me. l myself would tell
what 1 know. but have promised secre-
cy. upon the condition that am allowed
20 accompany the Quartette next time.
or course. when l get back. there may be
interesting Developments in the way Of
but l digrcss and. as Rudyard Kiplng
would say, that In another story"
J. A. w.