Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-12-08

- 1s
 PREPARING TO MOUNT BIRD.
 stuffed animals in various stages of in- completeness.
 The boudoir in yellow silk, she con. tends, is for the girl who spends her time in an easy chair reading novels; who wears thin-soled shoes on the street, and gauges her social position by the size of her waist-in inverse ratio of course.
 And what a delightful spot the den is. One is fain to forget the boudoir girl with her baby smile and English ivy ways. It is not study in olive or terra cotta or grays," but a study in comfort in every detail-a place in which to loaf and expand your soul. Of course, there is the hunters delight, J big open fire, and on the hearth are heaps of floor cushions. Hand-screens are within easy reach. that the full cheer of the blaze may be enjoyed without the penalty of too ruddy a nose. The chimney piece, which ex- tends to the ceiling, is fine example of modern wood carving. Half way to the frieze is the old French motto of welcome: "yient Qui Vient;" and above that is fnely-set moose head, fianl1ed on one side by the head of a young antelope, and on the other by a neatly dressed head of Rocky noun tain black-tail dee",
 And the hostess of the den cannot yet glance at the antelope medallion with out quiet smile of intense satisfaction. It was her first big game. and the mem ory of the thrill of ecstasy that followed the clearing away of the smoke and the sight of the limp, fawn-colored heap on the dull, green grass of the Montana prairie, is one never to be forgotten nor, alas, equaled.
 The great, brown rug in front of the fireplace was originally the possession of huge cinnamon bear in the Bear paw mountains. Its present owner is as proud of the manner in which she has tanned and lined the fur as she is of the shot which brought it down, while the three men in the party were patiently breaking underbrush on the wrong trail.
 The large owl on the bookcase, and the frieze of little screech owls over the entrance door, all witness to her remarkable skill both as marksman and taxidermist. Even the splendidly mounted gray wolf that was shot from the tent opening of 0 prairie camp was set up by the same pretty hands that have been carved by sculptors and greeted by royalty.
 Rifles and shotguns are in evidence at every turn, on the walls in racks and cases, and in corners, crowding against tennis racllets and golf clubs; while two old hunting pieces, that have a history, are artistically arranged over the owl frieze. In the open drawers of an inlaid jap" cabinet are heaps of cartridges. Powder Tasks stand on the mantel, side by side with old "blue and white" and jade; and a rare sat suma jar on what should be a tea-table contains, not tea biscuits, but shot. A fringe of "brush" and pads hanging from under an India shield tells astory of cross-country riding after the hounds straight" enough to bring glory and trophies to the fair young equestrian. Perched on the projecting corner of a gunracl1 in Diana's favorite cap for hunting in the woods on cold winter days. It is twist of three squir- rel skins, so arranged that it can be drawn over the ears and made to serve as both umbrella and mufiler. The squirrels were shot in the famous Squirrels Paradise in Sullivan coun- ty, and hours of patient waiting under the old hiclsory-nut tree were neces- sary to secure three large, perfect skins, for it is no easy matter to bring down squirrel with his fur uninjured. The only correct shot is to take the little animal squarely in the head, and his shy ways and alert movements are not calculated to facilitate slow, careful aim.
 It should not, however, be understood that the study of taxidermy is taken up solely by society belles as an in- teresting adjunct to hunting and fish ing There are feminine taxidermists all over the country who do excellent professional work.
 special line of work which has fall en largely into the hands of women is the clever arrangement of outdoor ef- fects in the cases where birds, fishes and large animals are displayed. Some unusually good work of this descrip- ton in the Museum of Natural History in Central park bears the signature of women. MARY ANNABLE FaNToN-