Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-01-24
I From Forest and Stream
MY VACATION.

FROM crest anu SlrtdHl
MY VACATION.
The man of wealth takes his vaca-
ton when he pleases the professional
man takes his whenever he can get it,
and thanks his lucky stars that he
gets any. 1t is not hard to imagine
which of them enjoys their outing the
most Fortunate man, the writer was
able to get away from the sick and
the ailing this fall, owing to the need
of a professional friend for something
to do that would take him into the
country; and not being blessed with
love of field sports, this SUI generis
assumed the burden Of my work and
seemed to enjoy the novelty, while |,
forsooth, with several hundred cart
ridges and cylinder y gun, bade
goodbye to wife and babies and de-
parted for town in West Virginia,
where there was a genuine old-time
sportman's welcome waiting for me.
Hereafter is the tale Of my week OF
rest what his was, is, as Kipling
says, another story.
In years gone by it was a habit OF
mine to go to Virginia each fall, and
there, in company with some choice
companions, spend few days follow
ing dogs without much pedigree but
with lots of field sense, and during
the time spent in the Old Dominion
not only regain exhausted strength,
but return home with & better opinion
of mankind in general; the hospitality
was so generous, the life 50 full of
pleasure and so free of care, the sport
so excellent, everything combining to
make the vacation a thing of Joy.
Then it all changed; the old families
went away, others richer in money but
very much poorer in hospitality came
in to take their places; the farms
where | had hunted each season, a
welcome guest, were posted to all but
a favored few; the game itself, as II
disgusted at the new order, was not
as it was in the old days, and for two
wears past this one reason, with others
of a weightier nature, has prevented
anything like an extended leave OF
absence from home. Hereabouts we
are cursed with lots Of game laws
without means of enforcing the same
and being so close to Baltimore, oul
country is overrun with hordes of ruth
less men who kill everything with ful
or feathers that they can get a shot at
and boast of their bag as though II
was something to be proud of. But
to come back to West Virginia.
All through Jefferson county the
residents are more careful Of then
game supply than in any other section
| have ever shot over; it is not strange
that with this sort of protection anc
the natural Typographical condition o.
this part of the State, the best supply
of Bob White is practically inexhaustl'
bic, and the entire country Is a great
game preserve. Every farm is posted
and the posting means business, to1
every land owner has no fear Of prose
cutting trespassers, and does it con
scientiously when they start in, hence
very little hunting is done by the idl'
of the neighborhood, if there be any
such, and strangers need not apply
unless vouched for by someone Of re
sponsibility, then the doors are opened
wide. The country is a grand, open
rolling arena, full of picturesque views
and dull would be the man who coulC
shoot here and not feel the inhuenc
of Dame Nature as he passes from on
beautiful picture to another in searcI
of his game.
Though only slightly acquainte'
with the gentleman under whose hos
pitable roof | stayed, the free-masonr,
of sportmanship made us both war;
friends before the clock had struc
very many times after my arrival, an
as came to know him more thorough
" it was not hard to see why his vii
fell in love with him. There was an
other, sort of Damon to my friend
Pythias, scholarly gentleman whoI
it was a pleasure to know, and wit
these two l went afeld; there was al
other l had almost forgotten, shame I
to me for forgetting Belle, she was
the soft. blue coat, the long pedigre
the great brown eyes and best OF a
such grand field qualities, Ah' m
,, we read of such dogs, but rarely I'm
) them outside of books; this was