Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-22
PERSEvERING HUNTERS.
4 True Tale Of Two Augusta Duck
Hunters.
An Experience Which Much Enter.
tains Their Friends.

mere is Il story OF TWO Augusta 0unt-
ers which goes to show the truth q.
the saying that perseverance eonquers
all things. There is no particular rea-
son why their identity should be de
vulged. therefore suffice it to say that
one of them practices law in its va
Tfous branches, and is also considered
one of the best heavy weight tennis
players on the Kennebec river, while
the other compounds the many
pharmaceutical prescriptions that are
used to alleviate the ills of suffering
humanity.
Both are possessed of the quickness
Of eye and steadiness of nerve which
are essential qualities in the makeup
of the successful hunter. and when
they sally forth into the wild woods
or upon the lakes and streams, their
friends are wont to allow their I'M
aginatiOn to wander at will. and 10
dream dreams of the hunters return,
with well filed game bags, ana 10
anticipate the after supper story py
the open fire of how the game was
bagged.
Not long ago the two went out after
ducks. Now, If there is anything in the
enjoys more than everything else. 1t Is
duck hunting, and when in pursuit of
these webfooted delicacies he follows
the trail with such pertinacity, ana pc
comes so completely absorbed in the
subject under consideration, that he
has been known to pour murderous
fire into a lot of wooden decoys before
ne realized that he was not up against
the real thing.
The day in question must have been
an off day for ducks, for though the
hunters started early, and hunted In
all the places where ducks were known
TO feed. and though they resorted to all
the articles known to hunters to draw
the birds to them, it was OF no aVali,
and not a feather was knocked from Il
ducks back during the day.
And so. just as the sun was KISSING
the western hill tops, the two hunters
started for home. Oh, yes they were
disappointed, the lawyer especially SO,
and he turned to his friend and said
something like this: Gee. but l don
want to go home without duck!
The drug clerk didn't. either. put
could offer no suggestion which couid
help them any.
Just then something happened. They
were driving by a farmhouse. and there
in the yard was flock of ducks. just
coming up to be fed for the night Inc
sight of those ducks. just at that par
ticular time, was better than n well
filed coal bin, and as the lawyer
ulled up the horse, he said TO MS
friend: Say, go in and buy one OF
those ducks-and pick out the VIII
est" looking one you can find, ana as
the drug clerk started out on ms ms
sion. chuckled softly to himself as ne
Thought of the joke he would put up on
the boys in town.
Meanwhile. the drug clerk had ap-
nroached the owner of the ducks, ana
In response to the cordial: How air
ve'' of that Individual. answered.:
"IIowdy: whatn you take for one OF
those ducks" Wall quoth the
farmer, about 10 cents" "All right
renlied the hunter. as he counted out
the coin. and then he proceeded to
catch the bird. This was not ac-
co,nplished. however. without some
sprinting. but finally the duck was
,.antnrcd and taken out to the road.
Then there was n consultation pc
should be disposed Of 1t would ho'
look sportsmanlike to wiring the plrd
neck. SO finally the lawyer nut sheii
IN his gun. and got the drug clerk 10
throw the duck into the air; and as the
unfortunate bird spread her wings. the
LAWYERS finger pressed the trigger
and all was over. at least as far as the
duck was concerned.
The hunters did not intend 10 IN
hibit their game to any great extent
hut soon after their arrival in the city
they met a police officer. and as ne
caught a glimpse of the bird, the!
showed 1t to him. What kind OF
duck Is that said he of the brass
buttons. Why" responded the law
Yer. while CLEAN OF superior
knowledge sparkled in his eyes, ina,
Is a MaIiard. and they amt sho.
round here very often Gee. but
amt he big one?" remarked the
officer. and as he continued on MS
homeward way he marveled much on
what he had seen. but not suspicion
entered his head that the bird hau
bccn Matched under a hen, instead O.
first seeing the light of day from the
marshes around the lakes.