The morning times., 1896-01-17
TWO MIGHTY NIMRODS.
Contrast of Mr.. Cleveland and Mr,
Harrison as Hunters.
T,oufS Ranuhlin
St. Louis RepubIic.


President Cleveland is scarcely less of an
enigma to sportsmen than he is to some
politicians. Many of his peculiarities are
entirely irrecuncilable with that disposition
which makes a man fond of outdoor sports
especially shouting and fishing. Very diff
ferent personal qualities from those he dis
plays are looked for generally in a man
who is fond of his rod and gun. This lea DIS
many, who have never accompanied him on
one of his trips. to believe that he really
does not care a great deal for the sport
when he gets o1t, and that the ducks or the
fish merely furnish a convenient excuse for
getting away. Those who have seen him
with gun or rod do not share In this impress
sion. 1t is evident TO them that he truly
enjoys killing game. Moreover. he is quick
to avail himself of an opportunity to partake
OF the hoInely fare of the country people,
and he shows liking for roughiDg it."
Mr.. Harrison, when he was in the White
House, was quite as fond as is Mr.. Cleve-
land of shooting and fishing but be did not
devote as much time to that sort of enjoy
ment. There is great difference between
the habits OF the two men &hen in the field.
the boat or the blind. Their difference in
temperament is very conspicuously shown
in the manner of handling a gun and
taking shot. Harrison has more OF the
recognized traits of a sportsman. He is
quick shot and takes chances. He is ready
to risk an almost impossible shot rather than
let it go without the trial, and often gets
his game on Just such a slim chance. He
does not wait for sure thing. Conse-
quently, when he has been duck shooting.
he has made more misses, but at the same
time bagged more game than has Cleveland.
Cleveland seems to be more anxious not to
miss than he is to get the shot. He viii
permit any number of chances to pass with
outpulling the trigger, which Harrison would
take, hit or miss. He will wait for hours,
possibly half the day for sure thing, and
let fair chance opportunities go by. He
shows neither impatience nor fatigue in
waiting. He brings his gun firmly to his
shoulder, gets a deliberate sight along the
barrel, and when he is perfectly sure of bis
aim, pulls the trigger. If he fails to get
the duck covered just to his liking be will
lower his gun without firing, and wait for
other ducks to come.
He wants an absolute assurance wit each
shot, and often allows the bird to go 10y
when most any other man on earth would
take the shot. The result is that very
seldom he wastes a charge of shot, but he
does not get a large number of birds. To
miss once is to spoil his sport. He does
not mind the game getting away without
being shot at.
Harrison would take quick shot with
out waiting 10 get the gun to his shoulder
and would get the game if there was any
sort of a show for him Rut jf h,, foiIad
he was ready for the next and thought no
more about 1t. At the end of the day he
would regret few shots lost through hes
itatton.
Cleveland's gun is sure death to wha- gets
in its way. Harrison's gun is liable to reach
that which seems to be at safe distance.
Cleveland wants slow and unsuspecting
game. Harrison takes his chances w:tn the
wary.
Those who have hunted ducks with the
two Preside nts have been greatly Impressed
with the difference between them.