Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-04-05

see him. The next morning on the
breakfast table there were a pair of
nicely broiled spring chickens. Old
Webb eyed them very closely for a mo-
ment and then addressed his wife. a
most estimable lady and devout member
OF the "Campbellite Baptist church, a
church founded fully a century ago bv
the renowned Alexander Campbell, OF
Virginia. Queih Webb:
Mrs. Maddox, will you inform me
where these chickens came FROM Did
they come from your hen house or from
the barng"
Really, Mr.. Maddox, do not know,
but think they were caught at the barn.
Just as expected, madame. they are
my game chickens, and would not
have had one of them killed for ten
dollar bin"
Mr.. Maddox, never knew what
chicken fighter was until married YOU"
NO, madame, and blamed IL ever
knew what Campbellite was until |
married you"
Well, after feeding horses aud dogs
and getting bite for ourselves we push
eo on to Wsrrenton, twenty miles of.
reaching that grand old place At almost
O'Clock. We drove direct to the War
renton House kept 10y Baker.
When ii was known that Prank For.
ester had reached warrenton-for this
shooting match between him and Baker
was known far and near-therc was
general rush on the part of the Warren
ton sportsmen TO the hotel to meet and
to welcome him, and cordial greeting
they gave him, for, YOU must know. my
Gear Wildwood, that. at that dav the
gentlemen Of Nirginia were nearly all
sportsmen. They were up TO anything
pertaining TO sport, whether foot race
or horse race; shooting match or
fox chase; any and everything comhin.
ing sport and excitement was lust to
their hands
But now comes the most deplorable
thing connected with the whole affair.
We found my old friend Baker TIA, ON
his back and sick in bed, and hence there
was an end 10 the match between him
and Herbert The sickness OF Baker
was no counterfeit, as he was evidently
anxious for this shooting match. and
honestly believing he would win il.
which, in all probability. he would have
done, as he WAS, without doubt. one Of
the greatest field shots in Virginia. one
OF Bakers friends informed me that
week before we reached Warrenton. the
old fellow had been on an all dav hunt
and ate for his supper six quails. two
doves and pair Of late woodcocks. that
he ran across and bsgged, and that he
had been slightly ailing ever since. lie
sat down 10 his supper at : O'Clock and
rose from the table AT II, with the tears
rolling down his cheeks Ii was ALWAYS
a weakness with Baker when he could
eat no more To weep.
We spent several days at Warrenton.
Herbert going out shooting with the
local sportsmen. I remained with nv
Old friend Baker. We returned by way
Of Upperville, with Bob Carter. with
whom Herbert shot couple of DAYS.
l went along, taking no gun, only to
hold the horses and to mark birds. We
bird hunted, at that day, altogether on
horseback, and when finding coyev
threw the reins over the horses necks
and let them Craze and pick around I'M
til that covey was used up, when we
mounted and went in search Of another. |
We returned TO my house where Her
bert spent two or three days with me. |
We shot couple Of days over my native /
setter Bijou and old pointer Sancho. I !
knew of three coveys of quail which /
belonged to a stubble field, adjoining a /
dense thicket, into which they would |
drop as soon as flushed wanted 10 |
give Herbert a sample of my "snap shoot !
ing so went for these birds. We soon /
found covey, and upon the rise each |
killed bird, when, down, they went
into the thicket, and Herbert wanted TO /
follow them, when l said, mo let US get |
all of them into the thicket."
We soon raised the second covey and
down they went also into the thicket. |
We could not raise the other covey, but
had now about thirty-fye birds in the |
thicket. ] was on my mettle, and put
In my best licks on those birds. downing
eight out of ten shots. Herbert killed
but three in as many shots as | had made.
lie complimented me, of which / was
proud, by saying that he considered nv
snap shooting as fine as he had ever
lie insisted that l should return home II
with him to his shooting box" at the
'Cedars' in New Jersey, and but a short
distance from the city of New York. I
spent four or five days with him most
delightfully."-, enjoying every hour of the
line Whilst, as have before mention
I'd, that Herbert was a most entertaining
md intelligent companion, he struck me
Is being an unhappy man. He some
lines drank heavily, though apparently
never under the influence of liquor. He
lied few years after was with him.
md learned from Porter that he be-
anne quite poor.
Frank Forester" has been dead MANY
year, and "Old Dominion" cannot now
ecall single living person who knew =
i'm, or whom he-"Old Dominion
new sixty years ago; all, all gone.
In conclusion my dear Wildwood" |
will venture the assertion that YOU will
Ot likely ask again any "ren,iniocensos,,