The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-01-02
IRISH CHARACTER SKETCHES.

Ten minutes elapse, the time of grace
allowed, the bugle horn sounds, tie
whip cracks and with a rousing tally
no, my beauties, tally-ho, Dan places
his pack on the scent, and away they
go like a driving cloud across The coun-
try.
"A hundred dogs bayed deep ard
strong,
Clattered a hundred steeds along,
Their peal the merry horns rung out,
A hundred voices join the shout
And well up in that streaming field
rides Dan with word of encourage
ment for those in the rear and loud
bravo" as those in front negotiate a
stiff obstacle. He seems to be going at
his ease, while others are riding the
heads off their horses, and after every
jump he pats the neck of his horse with
We'll done, old fellow, well done" See
him after a run of fifteen miles. il is
the same pace, the same ease, the same
CHEEKY voice to those now few followers
alongside him. When the hunt was
over. especially if the run was a good
one, it was a treat to be home with
him, and what matter White Mel
vile or Nat Gould could gather for
hunting or racing story. if such had
the good luck to be Dams companions
on these occasions. Punchestown,
FARMHOUSE. Baldoyle. all. how Dan
spoke of the equine deeds performed
over those historic courses. How eX-
cited he became as he told you of how
Garry Moore rode the double, Tommy
Beasley shaved the rails ald Willie
Cullen won on the post. The deeds Of
Garry Moore, the Beasleys, the Crllens.
st. James. Terry Kavanaugh and those
other celebrated riders of worldwide
reputation, Dan had on his finger ends,
and the horses, too, those i1en :Steered
to victory, Liberator. Frigate, Come
Away, Roman Oak, Scotch Gray, CloiS-
ter. Manifesto and those others thar
have made the name of the Irish stee-
plechaser great for all time. l always
dearly loved a horse, and 1 never felt
better than when / careered across the
country with the fresh breeze tanning
my cheeks and the wild excitement Of
the yaWning dyke or the double ditch
in front. There was just only che trpig
| loved better, and that was to sit and
listen to dear Dams tales of the horses
and riders of the older day. In the
hunting field Dan was a strict disci-
plinarian. and no lord or lady, no mat
ter how exalted they were. escaped
Dams censure if they transgressed in
any way the hunting regulations.
Go home, sir, or madam, and learn
the A, B. C's of hunting before you ap-
pear in the hunting field. You are spoil
ing sport. This lesson once read to
the offending party was enough, and
always produced good fruits.
1 see Dan at the meet just before tie
hounds move away to the field where
the stag is enlarged. He is surrounded
by an admiring crowd of ladies ard
gentlemen anxious to have a word with
him. The Angelus bell rings out, re-
minding mankind to bless and praise
the Great Creator for the benfits of the
Incarnation. At the very first sound
of the bell, Dan stops his conversation.
his head is barred and that honest, prac-
teal Catholic heart speaks to his COG
1t does not matter who is present, lord
or lady, Protestant or Aethist, Dan
pays the homage of a devoted heart to
his Maker. And. yes. in the pocket CT
his hunting coat there is always de-
posted a crucifix, and Dan attributes
his many escapes from accident to his
carrying that sacred symbol. The chill
dren of the village love him, and it is
his greatest delight to place the boys
astride one of his horses and give them
a ride. The many presents of cake ard
meats which he gets at Christmas are
shared with the poor of the village, and
many a heartfelt prayer goes UP
for the old huntsman whose heart
as the people put it is in the
right place" Long may the sound of
his horn awake the hills, and his ring
ing tally-ho. may it for many years to
come rouse up in the peoples hearts
the excitement, the glory of the chase.
The meeting place, my trusty friends,
Is beside the old lone bush,
We will be there in all our strength,
For we dearly love the rush
OF noble steed and baying hound,
Across the meadows low.
And Huntsman Dan will lead the line,
With his CHEEKY tally-ho
The squire and knight, the lord and
dame,
Father Tom and Parson Jones,
The farmers of the country round,
On their bays, their grays and roans.
The peasants from adown the glen,
And all ranks both high and low,
Will come to join in the chorus,
or the glad song. Tally-ho.
And Huntsman Dan at mornings
dawn.
Has surveyed the rising sun,
1t Will be fine we heard him say,
And a great day for a run
The ground is light, the breeze is brisk,
We viii saddle up 1 throw,
For Huntsman Dan he never waits,
When he sounds his Tally-ho.
The riders sit on prancing steeds,
Harki the noble stag is gone,
And with excitement wildly beat,
The hearts of that waiting throng
And Huntsman Dan he blows his horn. |
glad shout. and off they 81,
Ger river double. narrow bank,
+ To the SOUND of Tafiy-ho.
Oh! long may Dan. our Huntsman
Dan.
Sound for US the horn,
Long may he reign to welcome us,
upon the hunting morn.
His CHEEKY voice. his pleasant smile,
And his laughter sweet and low,
Are dear to US, but we love best
The sound of his Ta!iy-ho.
BY Cabin.
Next week, THE Village schoolmas-
ter