Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-23
FARMER AND SPORTSMAN.
The Former is Usually Ready to Meet
the Latter Half Wuy

me FOrmer Is Usually Ready to Meet
the Latter Half Way.
From Forest and Stream.
There is an inseparable relation between
the sportsman and the farmer that may be
strained strengthened, according to its
abuse or respect. l look upon the farmer
as the sportsmans best and Indispensable
friend, for 1t IS he who furnishes the land
and through whose courtesy the sportsman
Is permitted to hunt upon it. / have al
ways found the farmer willing to meet a
man more than half way. Rowdies he will
not tolerate. Nearly all farmers like to
hunt. and they possess a keen sense of It's
enjoyment, although they may, to some ex-
tent. be lacking in appreciation of some OF
the minor details that go to make the city
man 8 outing enjoyable, because an every
day association with his surroundings
makes them less noticeable to him than to
his city brother, who comes in contact with
them only when enjoying the farmers hos
pitality. Just so Is the case with the city
man. who sees much less at home than
does his country friend when visiting the
city. My friends from the country often
point out things to me that / have never
seen before, and which are equally inter-
esting to me after l have found them.
Most farmers are naturalists In a general
way. II not scientific. The seasons of vege-
tatfon are of necessity well learned by
them, and the habits of common animals
and game are gene1 ally well understood
From boyhood they have associated with
these things. so that they are as able to
judge of what is good for one and another
average humanity. And contact with
the rapidly increasing army of sportsmen
adds greatly to their knowledge of human
nature"
when you spoke of the farmer meeting
the sportsman half way l was reminded Of
an incident in my own experience" said
the npighbOr Ijpinnn ha of
host was one belonging to a man who was
considered in the community IA hard
man to deal with, in that he was severely
strict in his business transactions with his
neighbors. even to the minutest detail. yet
obliging and charitable when occasion re-
quired.
HIS farm was posted, and I was cav
toned against encroa ching upon 1t. One
morning while covering field on my
friends land bevy of quail went over into
the forbidden territory. l marked them
shooting would be easy. and after studying
a while I determined to take chances and
go over. My dogs soon pointed and l got
brace of birds. Then l heard a shout ana
a man coming toward me. Resolved
TO face the situation like man, l went 10
meet him. His face was stern. but there
was no sign of anger and 1 considered
that point in my favor.
Didn't you see that notice? he said.
Yes, sir. I did: but those birds flew
here and I couldn't resist the temptation
TO 1OliO" lnen,' L repiled, out II you n
sst upon my going out l will do So but 1
would like to have another chance 1T
them.
a have kept even my neighbors from
shooting here, and you couldn't expect me
to break the rule In favor of a stranger,
he said.
mo. sir, don't ask you to. and I am
sorry I intruded.'
He scanned me closely without a word
as l started for the line fence, but had not
gone far when he called. Say" AS I
stopped he came up and continued: Amt
you the man who visits Spiker? 1 said
was. I thought So he said. I've seen
those dogs over there and I've heard Of
you. Spiker is a good neighbor, and 1 don't
want to offend him his guest. You can
hunt here. but don't shoot near the house.
My daughter is sick and nervous.
Il thanked him and sent the dogs after
the scattered bevy. He followed me around
and seemed delighted with watching the
dogs work, and when I made double shot
he was captivated. After had killed half
a dozen birds l engaged with him in con-
versation. complimenting him on the order
in which his place was kept, and finally
offered him the birds / had shot, of which
he would accept only a couple for his
daughter and as / left he gave me a cor
dial invitation to hunt there again."