The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-12-20

papers uON AudNS ItlaNlNt W
the awful waste OF human
life in the woods, caused 10y
the careless use of firearms, together
with the demand for more stringent
laws bearing upon the subject. that
feel il duty 10 write this sketch.
While We deplore IN, fact that many
hunters have been taken for deer.
shot and killed. let us, il possible,
have some charity for the man who
all his life must carry this awful bur
den of having killed perhaps his best
friend Internationally.
Three OF us started out one beautiful
day in October a few years ago after
deer. We were the best OF friends
two Of us were hunters. and one was
new at the business. After travelling
awhile. we struck an old woods road,
and although one OF my companions
the one who was well versed in wood
craft and the rihe-proposed travelling
just back of the road a few rods and
parallel TO H. so that If there might bc
a deer about he would be most likely
TO jump right into the road when
startled, thus afiording us a good shot
1 did not agree 10 il. knowing it's dan
gers. This plan had always objected
TO. and SO told him. II affords the pos
sibility of an awful mistake
Let's keep together" ! said.
\ little later we were travelling
through a beautiful clump of spruce
when, as quick as a flash a deer
jumped over small ridge TO our left
and disappeared.
Hold on He has gone into that lit
tie ravine and he will follow it," said
my companion.
Don't you remember where the road
crosses that piece of swale just be
yond? Now. you are so much quicker
on the shoot than l. let me 90 and drive
him down that run. and when you
see piece of him as big as your hand,
let drive"
mo, don't worry" said he. rs he saw
my heSitancy. You can't hit me, for
the ridge VIII be between us. You are
too careful you are"
Well he went over into that ravine,
and seeing nothing Of the deer. would
you believe il, he followed that run
right down into the swale. where he
said the deer would be. without sign
or haloo. He had on one Of those
dead era Ss- -cOlOred shooting jackets
and. hy the way, ! have never put one
on my back since, ana would advise
others 10 follow my example.
Standing at ready with my rife at
full cock, was waiting for a snapshot,
when ] caught sight of what | sup
posed. OF course, was the deer in the
swale.
Remember that this was in a wild
country. where there was no pOssibil.
ity of any others being about
Now. / knew my man; Of course hc
wasn't fool enough TO he down there.
Just that instant's hesitation while this
thought passed through my mind was
all that saved his life ana my peace OF
mind
Grasping my rife more firmly and
bringing l. 10 my shoulder, ! took dead
aim and had already begun to press
the trigger when ! caught the outlines
Of his hat. Instantly throwing the
muzZle Of my rifle TO one side. / be
gan 10 grow first hot, then cold; !
tremhled. | vomited. and. although a
man full grown. IN my excitement |
cried like child and the hardest
tramp ever took in my life was my
trip back 10 camp.
Unmanly you may call the nerve
collapse II you viii, but don't judge
too harshly until you've been there.
Silently my companion joined me,
and we slowly wcnded our way back
TO camp. The occasion did not demand
very Lively conversation and the latter
was conspicuous by It's absence.
He was never able to give a reason
able excuse for his action.
Had my friend been killed, who
would have been N fault;
Would ] have deserved n term at
State prison for my mistakef
Twice since tLen bave ! myself been
mistaken for deer and saved an acct
dent 10 myself and at least, cmbar-
rassment 10 the other man, 10y quick.
sharp halloo. and, although angered
by the carelessncss. my own experience
made me very char!ta BILE. for ! could
very easily put myself in the other
fellows place.-COrrespondence II For
st and Stream.