Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-09-24
OUR DEER HUNT.

lduQS dllu DcluS Keen opOl eSlliSb "~~.e
ed to avail themselves of the chance OF
a life time to enjoy deer hunt on
horseback.
Our sportsnlen anticipated no trouble
liz securing a large and yariegated pack
OF hounds.
1t was therefore without misgiving
that they refined in their horses beside
the rough rail fence surrounding a rude
log cabin. Seated in the open door OF
the cabin was 1jrey-faced, sorrowful-
looking woman, who listlessly eyed
our party through the half-closed lids
of her watery blue eyes.
Good morning, madam" ventred
the spokesman. rs your husband at
homer"
"In the first place my name amt
madam" the woman replied, drawl-
ingly. "an' in tn secon' place, my nus
ban amt 'ome Eff yer tn shift
come ter rest i'm, yer'n be 'bleeged
ter ride further"
She was assured that the party had
no designs upon her husbands liberty,
but to secure the loan of a pack OF
hounds was their mission.
I'VE amt got no houn's and never
had none" she replied, still suspicious,
as she walked to the fence. Say,
thar. mister" she exclaimed, excitedly,
pointing to the hand Of one OF the
party. "ain't that thing er dimont?'
ut is" the owner of the diamond re-
piled. Would you like to look at it,
he asked. drawing from his finger
ring in which small diamond was set.
"An' ken l take it in my own han'?"
she asked, eagerly.
Certainly" was the reply. Put II
on your finger and see how it looks
there"
With the light of other days shining
in her fzsled eyes, she tremblingly push
ed the ring on her bony, knotted fore
finger. Then, with sigh, the ring was
withdrawn and returned to the owner.
"Whut wus it you said erbout wantin'
ter borry some houn's?" she asked, af-
ter a moments silence.
I'VE simply wish to borrow the dogs
for tomorrow, when we intend having
a deer hunt"
wall, she replied hesitatingly, Il
reckin l kin get yer some Then,
walking briskly to the cabin door, she
took down a long cowhorn that hung
on a nail, and, placing it to her lips,
blew three loud blasts.
1t was not great while before man
who carried in his hand a long barrel
ed rifle appeared on the far side of the
clearing and cautiously approached the
party.
Hits all right, jake" the woman
shouted; "they amt after you"
The sun had just risen the next morn
ing when the party again drew rein at
the cabin.
Mornin, gentlemen. Light an
have er snack. Wall, eff yer won't yer
won't, l reckon. I'd go TIL yer but I've
got some business to ten ter over yam"
the Arkansan added, alphabetically
pointing to the woods back of the
cabin. Better take thish yeah hawn,
er tn dawgs won't foller."
With the pack trailing behind, the
party rode away. Soon they reached
the edge of the river bottom, and the
hunt began. The sun was well on to-
ward the meridian before a sound was
heard from the dogs. Then the mus
ical half-mournful cry of a hound was
heard. Soon another joined in, then
another and another, until the entire
pack was in full cry.
The hunters whipped up their horses,
stumbling and floundering through the
switch cane and vines, and they were
pretty well spent when stretch of open
woods was reached. Far in advance
the hindmost dogs, tails high in the air
and noses to the ground, were seen
tearing along in the wake of their lead
ers.
There goes the deer shouted the
foremost one of the hunters. Its a
buck with magnificent antlers."
Then it was noticed that the cry of
the dogs was becoming louder. Nearer
they came. Louder and louder swelled
the music. The air became full of it,
and the echoes in the hills awoke.
The deer is doubling back" cried one
OF the party. Lets get ready for him
On came the hounds, their voices be-
coming clear and distinct. crashing and
floundering in the cane was followed i'm
mediately by the deafening report of both
barrels of a shotgun. a dense cloud of
blue smoke hung in the moiionles air, en-
shrouding the men and 5.otting out the
canebrake. Then the smoke was scattered
by gentle breeze. and the one who had
hged was seen leaning on his gun pale
and trembling.
"A clear miss, Why didn't you wait I'M
til you had better sight OF the deer?"
"l-er-I didn't see ii al all" / managed
to reply, that sicky feeling in my stomach
having become by that time somewhat
bearable
We'll, why did you fire?"
Il don't know l answered reek;y.
-! -! -----! - chorused the 9TH
ers