The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-05-02
FIRST CATCH THE 'possuM.

How to DO That, and a. Guide to the
Proper Subsequent Proceedings.
We must first catch our 'possum. He
is everywhere in Florida, but persim-
mons, palmetto berries, or grapes must
be abundant to give him proper flavor
and condition. lind these, or one of
them, and your fat 'possum is not far
distant The old rogue that hangs
about the hen house and picks up the
refuse from the kitchen doors after the
family has retired is degenerate-pass
him by. &c. too, is the possum of the
pine barrens, who follows the muddy
streams and keeps lean on crawfish and
frogs, with never a descent home or a
warm bed. Pass him also. He has ticks
and is not the beast we want
But in the heart of the warm wood
land where the north wind only comes
to make SILVER delicious and warm
bed sometimes better than all the iced
drinks of civilized creatures, there is
an old fellow who has a waddle in his
walk like commodore on the deck of
a flagship.
He ndines luXuriously every day
when the whin-poor-will calls him
forth--the sweet acorns of the tuckey
oak, just touched with frost to mellow
ness, add new wrinkles to his fat
cheeks and sides; the palmetto berries
for his dessert are sticky with honey
dew, and the way to the messy spring
that collects cupful of clear water
Fl, y, hn
come a wide path, because there is
wine as well as flavor in the graves
that vet hang on the bough.
He is as self-important as ward
politician who has the ear of the APP
pointing power to make or dismiss po-
licemen, and he fears nothing that
comes in his way, because his servant,
man, has driven the wildcat from the
neighborhood. The skunk and he are
only passing acquaintance, the wander
ing coon he knows he can whip out of
hand if fighting becomes necessary,
and he has a home impervious to the
| curious cur
| AS the morning becomes chilly he
seeks his castle. Passing up the hole
| Of a deadened oak, he enters at a knot
hole that is tight fit and passes down
| ward. Arrived at the earth again in
| the heart of the tree, he notices that
| the wood mice are still absent, for he
hears only the grunts and squeals Of
their children in their end of the tene-
ment. There is an old stag beetle in
one corner who has so ensconced him
self in a Granny that none Of the other
tenants has been able to get at him,
| FL No ,ot al 90
| season. The old 'possum reaches a paw
out in pure idleness, as you would
pick UP book you did not intend to
read, and claw touches the beetle.
Instantly the mandibles close on the
intruding member, and there is a pinch
that brings the blood. The 'possum
snarts spitefully and ticks the wound
| but he knows anger is foolishness. Sc
he waddles to his own special root and
! arranges the feathers and moss and
palmetto fibre and dry leaves till nc
eiderdown coverlet is softer or warmer
He creeps in and culs up, his foot pains
him no more, only his snout is visible
out of the nest, and soon there is a
soft, contented breathing, while the
fruit is transformed into another layer
of fat and flavor that no simple per
simmon and muscadine diet in Georgia
can possible give.
Have you seen a "bob-tailed yallel
cur tramping at the heels of negro
of the old school? He Is the big gun OF
your battle--the others are only horse
foot, and dragons.
See that old negro, who is important
only because the dog has employed hin
| &c ;,,ta 60 vi
sary. While the debate progresses thu
cur sits on his launches, one eye cock,
ed up to your face with comprehendine
gaze and the stump of a tail dashins
the sand about in little cloud.
Yes, sah,' says the old darkey, g.
goes wild you for four bits, and Rollt
he goes for six bits, and we bring dt
axe and de torch jis when you say, CT
goes whar you say and cooke de pos
sum in de mawnin',' And Rollo bark
gleefully, and the bargain is closed, fo
who can beat down q dogs price?'
says the old man.
The night has come, and the part,
leaves the hotel. There are severa
maidens in bicycle costume, the best a
hand. Think of the passage through
those woods of balsamic odors on a DIR,
carpet of pine needles and witheret
leaves. How hands touch as vines trip
and there are shrinkings from imagin
airy snakes. How the injunction of tn
old negro, Speak low, dar, please, sur,
is faithfully followed, and each coupl
thinks it can best "cut off" the dog il
tentative runs by going a little apar
to reach imaginary points. This is TIL
game that is to supersede golf and ten
mis- at Florida winter resorts.
The 'possum is plainly abroad, an,
he has been UP many trees, and a
, each of these Rollo hesitates
but is convinced, and passes or
AT last he shifts and scratches NOR
energetically at a palmetto and final
ly gives tongue honestly, with salts
, fed accent and full faith. Old Sar
yells "Rollo done foun' him." and Their
are calls from every direction and
hurried scamper At last all are col
, Iected. Rollo is frantically dashin
from side to side, yelping himsel
hoarse, and each is inquiring, "Wher
is he?"
Sam lights his torch and says, "Stan
!, befo' me-" Then in the reflection h
catches two bright beads in the gree
turf of leaves and Sambo declare
Oats him.. Straightway the tore
is cast on the ground, Sam ascends tn
tree crashing with feet and hands fc