The Republican journal., 1903-12-10
A DAY WITH THE HOUNDS.

Occasionally F. E. Gushee of Lincoln
vile Beach and his friends have an annual
rabbit hunt That is what it is called, and
it usually takes on that idea, as 50 many
turn out to it that it resembles an annual
rather than an every day affair."
Mr. Gushee has the best dog in the coun-
try to set rabbits ON the run with. He
knows how to find them, and how to keep
them on the jump, and he knows when he
has his master and the expert shots to play
for. Mr.. Gushee also has cottage called
Scamp Rabbit on the Lincolnyille shore
of Pitchers Pond. 1t is right in the vicinity
of the game. He knows how to have a
hunt and what will please the appetite.
AS an annual it is not all hunting. This
year the hunt occurred on Thanksgiving
Day. The pond had four inch surface of
ice, thick enough for ice boating, and Capt
Clark's new steel runner was on the pond,
little whirlwind up and down the pond
Everybody ventured sail on the smooth
pond while the dinner was being prepared
1t was a cold day. The thermometer was
only ten degrees above zero, and the hunt
in the morning made everybody have keen
appetite The dinner was one for the
! occasion. Steamed clans and hot clam
bouillon, followed with every other good
thing that the lady friends of the company
could think of, finishing with the Thanks
giving mince pie and coffee
! The afternoon was the best hunting, and
| the dog "Dick' soon had several rabbits
going through the brush in dazzling way !,
at least that was the way it appeared by the
rapid and repeated shots fired. 1t sounded
for the next hour like the bombardment of
city, and when the smoke of battle lifted,
five rabbits were hanging from the belts of
as many huntsmen. Then came a long
chase The dogs started the king rabbit.
1t was one that Capt. Howe's dog, "DOnnie'
had started in his prime, and lost his heart
on. He knew him at once and refused to
leave his masters side, or to take the
least interest in the run. The Captain said
the wind was not right for him, but when
the old rabbit had made his circle severa
times, and left his tracks all over mile
radius, the crowd, as we'll as "Donnie,"
gave up, and started for home, believing,
with the dog, that the old rabbit was a
spirit. The crowd looked discouraged
Gushee fingered behind to call in his faith
full dog "Dick' (which will not leave even the
track of spirit while it is on the earth.
When he caught up with the crowd white
rabbit danged at his belt They say the
old rabbit had had fun enough, and was
sleeping by the way, and Gushee took ad-
vantage of his confidence. That is what
| Capt. Otis Heal said, and his opinion on
such occasions is never questioned.
| The annual hunts always include j. Fl.
| Montgomery of Camden. He was there on
! this occasion and bagged one of the fleet
est rab bits at a long range. 1t is seldom he
gets lett when the game is started 1t does
not seem to be the game, however, that in
terests him; it is the people and the occa-
sion that he enjoys. He has lands in Lin
colnville, and always takes an interest in
the town. He has been counsel for and
against the town. and his clients feel that
he is one of them. Many interesting Incl
dents in his thirty years practice with the
town and its people serve to keep an annual
| hunt in good spirits. A. F. Hahn tells a
6coN
zen went to Mr.. Montgomery for advice
and service in matter of great interest to
| him. He got the advice, which proved in
time all right. In stating the case to Mr..
Hahn, the good citizen was asked the law
yer's charge. 1t was told him. son. said
Mr.. Hahn, che would have done all he did
for half that charge" "But," replied the
citizen, 81 have not paid him anything
| This annual hunt ended with many wishes
that it be repeated The old who cannot
attend are interested in these gatherings,
as we'll as the young who participate in
them. The excitement is catching. One
| said it adds ten years to life. There is
truth in it, as there is as much lived in the
thought of pleasure, often recurring to the
| mir d, to weigh in the scale of reason, or to
pass round in the social circle, as is lived in
| added years. Mr.. Gushee and his friends
in these gatherings furnish much that cheers
the spirit along the pathway of life.
E. C. +.
Lincolnville, November q, 1903
NUN ttIAwSON,, SEVEN-M ASTER