Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-07-11
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The Ex-PreSident's Love of Sport
and Nature.
ALWAYS A TRUE SPORTSMAN.

of q Fishing TriP-His View of
Serene Duck Hunter.
AS a boy the late Grover Cleveland,
former president of the United States,
loved to hunt and fish and swim. He
was an out of doors boy. And men.
''the oldest inhabitants'' along Lime
stone creek and the Black river, near
Holland Patent, N Y, will tell you to
this day that young Cleveland was as
good trapper as ever trod the creeks
banks. They say he was a sportsman
always, not pot hunter.
His physical condition mirrored the
wholesome soul that was within him.
He was big full blooded, rosy cheek
ed boy who enjoyed life as he found
it. He practiced a youthful philosophy
which smacked of stoicism that was
the seeding of craftsmanship that
was to blossom early in the serious
days of his career.
He was a true sportsman all his life
In his love of nature, his thankfulness
to the Giver of all good things and his
scorn, almost horror, of wanton slaugh-
ter, says the New York World. He be-
came a philosophic fisherman and what
he himself called a serene duck hunter.
Without neglecting his own business
or shifting official burdens to less able
shoulders he seized every opportunity
to get near to nature with his rod or
gun In companionship Of as good a
sportsman as himself, like the late
T@Gp~ ~
Benedict, or Fighting Bob" Evans,
who, by the way, Mr.. Cleveland strong
" urged should have been made an ad-
miral when his feet reached Califor-
MAN waters.
Such recreation paid in every sense
Mr.. Cleveland firmly believed. Once
he wrote, with certain cynicism:
There can be no doubt that the prom
Use Of Industrial peace of contented labor
and of healthful moderation in the pur-
suit Of wealth in this democratic country
of ours would be infinitely improved If
large share Of the time which has been
devoted to the concoction of trust and
business had been spent in fishing.
The late Charles Jefferson, son of the
often went fishing, attributed his luck
as a fisherman to his marvellous pa
thence.
"Mr. Cleveland could sit for hours
and watch his line without a sign of
uneasiness or impatience," said Mr..
Jefferson. "He would talk and joke
and smoke as if he was as far removed
from the presidency as was"
did he ever talk politics?''
G1H
never thought Of anything else"
While out fishing one day. dressed in
| oilskin and a SLOUGH hat, Mr.. Cleveland
was accosted by an amateur fisherman
dressed in the height of fashion in out
ing toys.
"Hello, there, boatmanv' called out
the stranger who saw that Mr.. Cleve-
land had made a good catch. What
will you take for your fish,"
"I'm not selling them," replied Mr..
| Cleveland.
"Well, what do you want to take me
out fishing tomorrow"
Mr.. Cleveland laughed, enjoying the
J joke.
81 can't make any engagement ex-
| as much as made last year?'
| you're a sharp fellow, but you're a
mighty fine fisherman, and I'll accept
your terms. How much did you earn?"
"Oh, about $1,000 a week. 1 was
president of the United States
j Again Cleveland, one of the hardest
workers who ever held office. declared
Men may accumulate wealth in neglect
of the law of recreation, but how infinite
" much they will forfeit in the depr1va-
ton of wholesome vigor, In the loss Of
the placid fitness for the quiet Joys and
comforts of advancing years and In the
displacement of contented age by the de-
mon Of querulous and premature decrep-
itude
Mr.. Cleveland thus described the
Honorable Order of Serene Duck Hunt
erS:
It must be frankly confessed that tie
members of this fraternity cannot claim
the ability to kill ducks as often as is
required by the highest averages.
This, however, does not in the least dis
turb their serenity. Their compensations
are ample. They are saved from the sor-
did and hardening effects induced by
habitual killing and find pleasure In tbs
cultivation of the more delicate and ele-
waiting susceptibilities which ducling en-
vironments should invite. Under the In
fluence of these susceptibilities there is
developed a pleasing and innocent self
deception, which induces the belief on
the part of those with whom 1t has lodg-
ment that both abundant shooting skill
and a thorough familiarity with all that
pertains to the theory of duck hunting
are entirely in their possession and con-
troll.
They are also led to the stimulation Of
reciprocal credulity, which seasons and
makes digestible tales of ducking adven-
ture Nor does bloody activity distract
their attention from their obligations to
each other as members of their especial
brotherhood or cause them to overlook
the rule which requires them to stand
soIidly together in the promotion and
protection at all hazards of the shooting
reputation Of every one Of their associ-
ates. These may well be called the Sc
rene duck hunters.