The independent., 1907-04-25

Dtfft6 tliS olyt5L vi LilC diIiildi OhiiSii .
he is considered the confidence man of
had you known the clever little villain
that l once encountered in Kentucky.
some miles south of Louisville, you
would have doubtless reached the co1-
clusion with me that the fox wasn't
accorded half his due, and that he
should be placed in the category of
master rogues."
J. G. Foley, representing Chicago
leather firm, a guest at the New Dene-
chaud. sat in the broad rotunda of The
hotel, ard to a few acquaintances Of
an hour told stories, and i'm the course
of hil yarn spinning Mr.. Foley elabor-
ated on Master Reynard's genius for
making his way in the world at the
expense of all creatures.
II stayed ut fine house, surround
ed by big estate, south of Louisville,
for several weeks, in the fall of 1899 I"
Mr.. Foley took up his narrative, land
ii was while was there that made
the acquaintance of the fox am going
TO tell you of and became quite chum I
my with him.
''The fox was q pet, belonged to Mr.
Caldwell, my host, and that animal had
more sense than lots of people I've
ent company, believe me. The fox
they called him Red, because of the
color of his coat-had been taken when
a cub -at the end of a big hunt. The
poor little fellows mother had been
torn to pieces by the hounds. She'd run
to her burrow, you know. and the cub
was saved from death by Mr.. Cald-
well himself just as a terrible dog was
about to seize him in his jaws.
Red was sucked on a bottle for
some time tut mis- health was good and
he grew and developed into splendid
specimen OF his species. Red was treat
ed well by everybody. The servants and
farm hands had their instructions re-
garding ninf, and he was allowed the
run of the place. But at an early age
his true nature asserted itself so | was
told, and he executed raid on the
poultry yard which netted him a big
fat goose that had been set aside for
holiday feasting. Red was caught by
his master as he was galloping away
with the leadl saoese in his mouth, and
Mr.. Caldwell then and there gave Red
a lesson that left lasting impression.
He took the goose away from the fox,
and then lammed the furry little thief
with rattan cane until Mr.. Red
yelped with pain. That cured the fox
quite effectually of helping himself to
home poultry, but it did not raise the
barrier against depredations in the
neighborhood, and many time did Mr..
Caldwell have to pay some nearby
farmer for foasts enjoyed by Red.
Mr.. Caldwell was greatly attached
to the beast, and let it be known
throughout the district that he was
willing to make good for any damage
the creature might work in his row.
ings, so, of course the neighbors did
not use Red as q target for pistol and
gun practice, only presented their bills
after he had visited them.
when | had been at the place a few
days and made friend with Red, Mr..
Caldwell invited me to take a horse
back ride with him to farmers house
q few miles away. 1 have to go over
there and pay for dozen Or so fine
chickens that rascal there killed. Mr..
Caldwell said, and as he spoke he in
dicated the spot in front of the hearth
stone, where Red lay curled UP on
rug sleeping the sleep of the Innocent
and just.
I'VE made the journey on our thor
ouShhred mounts in little while. and
the farmer. who was named Jinks. ac-
corded us hearty welcome. invited
MS into the sitting-room. after our
horses had been taken i'm charge by a
boy, and placed q decanter containing
some genuine stun. with the necessary
glasses, on the table before us
" MIR, Caldwell links began after
Hc had taken one for sociability's
sake, that fox of yours Is the worst |
denredator this countryside has ever
seen, and would you believe IT, sir, he
caught my chickens. not through |
luickncss, but by the meanest kind of |
trickery,'
'lnAs made his statemcnt>and If IL |
hadn't been youched fer by his portly |
wife. a pillar I'm the Baptist church. |
hardly think we would have believed |
Il
Three days before. Il appears. the I
hired boy had seen Red sinking along /
~ road close to the line of fences. 4
'ealing for the links farm. Red was /
ly 10 be distinguished from The 1
ipr members of his family by "a 4
9ad collar. bearing silver plate 4
md studded with brass knobs that en-
lrcled his neck. and the boy ut once \
laulod 60 the larm and told SIR. Jinks, /
sith Che result that all the chickens \