Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-20
CLEVELAND HUNTS RABBITS.

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York Tribune.
CLEVELAND HUNTS RABBITS.
Nothing Undisnified In II the Ex.
President Writes. ..
Grover Cleveland, ex-president of
the United States, writes on rabbit
shooting for the vacation number OF
the Independent. He says:
Because rabbit shooting is season.
able only in late fall or winter wealth
er the mention of it is calculated to
suggest shivering chills, cold feet, numb
fingers and all sorts of heavy clothing.
At first, blush. therefore, It may not
seem to be exactly an appropriate top
ic to be given a place In a magazine
designed for midsummer reading. On
second thought, however, hope 1t will
not be deemed amiss that the torridity
of such a magazine should be tempered
by a cooling admixture limiting OF rec"
reation free from dog day swelter, and
reminding the reader that a season is
on its way which brings with 1t out
door sport exempt from summer heat
and unvexed by the stings and arrows
of outrageous gnats, flies or mosquitoes
1t is quite within reason to suppose
that the addition Of rabbit hunting TO
the ingredients that simmer in summer
recreative reading might be as re-
freshing as the addition Of ice to an
otherwise tepid summer tipple.
Some hunters there are, Of the su-
perfined and dudish sort, who deny to
the rabbit any position among legiti-
mate game animals; and there are 9TH
ers who. while .grudgingiy admitting
rabbits to the list, seem to think 1t
necessary to excuse their concession by
calling them hares. regard all this
as pure affectation and nonsense.
deem It not beneath my dignity and
standing as reputable gunner 70
write of the rabbit as. an entirely
suitable member of the game commu-
nifty, and In doing so am not dealing
with hares or any other thing except
plain. little, every day plebeian rabbits
sometimes appropriately called cotton
tails Though they may be DETAINED
by every charlatan' among hunters OF
self constituted high degree. and des-
pissed by thousands who know nothing
Of their game qualities. I am not
ashamed of their pursuit, and I count
1t by no means bad skill to force them
by a successful shot to topsy turvey
pause when at their best speed.
These sly little fellows feed al
night, and during the day. they hide SC
closely in grass or among rocks and
brush that 1t is seldom they can be
seen when at rest. OF course, no de-
cent man will shoot rabbit while
sitting, and have known them to re-
fuse to start for anything less than q
kick or punch. When they do start
however, they demonstrate quite clear
ly that they have kept their feet In
the best possible position for a spring
and run. After such a start the rabbit
must in fairness be given an abundant
chance to gain full headway, and when
he has traversed the necessary dis
tance for this, and is at his fastest
gait the hunter that shoots him has
good reason to be satisfied with his
craftsmanship. l once actually poked
one up and he escaped unhurt, though
four loads of shot were sent after him
"In the main, however, dogs must
be relied upon for the real enjoyment
and success Of rabbit hunting. The
fastest dogs are not the best, because
they are apt to chase the rabbit sc
swiftly and closely that he quickly
betakes himself. to a hole or other
safe shelter, instead Of relying upon
his running ability. The baying OF
three or four good dogs steadily fol-
lowing a little cotton tail should be
as exhilarating and as pleasant to ears
attuned to the music as II the chase
were for bigger game. AS the music
is heard more distinctly, the hunter Is
allowed to fiatter himself that his
acute judgment can determine the
route Of the approaching game and the
precise point from which an advantag-
eous shot can be secured. The self
satisfied conceit aroused by a fortu-
nate guess concerning this important
detail, especially If supplemented by q
fatal shot, should permit the lucky
gunner to enjoy as fully the COM
placent, pleasurable persuasion that
the entire achievement Is due to his
sagacity keenness and skill as though
the animal circumvented were larger
beast. In either case the hunter ex-
periences the delight born Of vel
fed sense of superiority and self pride
and this, Notwithstanding all attempts
to keep 1t in the back ground, Is the
most gratifying factor in every sport
ing indulgence.
Some people speak slightingly Of
the rabbits eating qualities. This must
be an abject surrender to fad or fash
ion. At any rate it is exceedingly un.
just to the cotton tail; and one who
can relish tender chicken and refuse
to eat a nicely cooked rabbit Is. I be.
lieve, a victim of unfounded prejudices
why, then, should not rabbit hunt
ing, when honorably pursued, be giver
a respectable place among cunning
activities? 1t certainly has every ele.
ment Of rational outdoor recreation
1t ministers to the most exhilaratine
and healthful exercise; 1t furnishes
saving relief from care and overwork
it Is free from wantonness and mex
cusable destruction Of animal life, an6
II luck favors. 1t gives play to limo.
cent but gratifying self-conceit.
Let us remember, however, that II
rabbit hunting Is to be a manly out
door recreation. entirely free from
meanness, and a sport in which a true
hunter can indulge without shame, the
little cotton tail must. in all circum.
stances. be given a fair chance for his
life"
MISTAKES ATTRACT ArTENTIoN.-Tht
average person takes pleasure In call
ing attention to errors in spelling OF
grammar in signs. The mistakes fur.
nish them a temptation to display theii
knowledge that Is hard to resist.