The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1909-07-03

ana wire-bound as It was with age and
blackberry vines, their three dogs
dancing around In half dsliriqus expec-
tation. 80 intent were they al on their
hunt that they gave no sort of heed
10 me. and believing them to be after
. venomous reptile. I watched them
with curiosity. some kind of brute
elation in me responding to the noise
and conflict of II.
At last. when q burrow had been
uncovered. and the biggest dog OF the
three thrust his nose In. what was my
astonishment to see him pull out an
animal and throw him with vicious
Jerk into the center Of the group, and
there sat Marmion on his launches, to
be greeted by chorus Of relentless
exultation as he looked at dogs and
men, trying. in one momentary glance
Of wonder, before he was torn to
pieces. to comprehend the inexplicable
injustice and cruelty of 1t.
shall always remember the re-
proach of that look. Such intelligence
as the poor animal had was wrought
In q moment to pitiful Interrogation:
why should four men and three dogs
beset with demoniac delight such a
harmless creature as I ann" Some
thing Of the same futile establishment
beset me.
There was no use trying to rescue
Marmion. He was torn to pieces be-
fore could make myself heard. But
why should 1t afford such satisfaction
to the men, and why four such lusty
examples of manhood should be so de-
void of magnanimity, could not for the
life Of me understand then, nor have I
understood since, what 1t Is impels In
telligent immortal souls to this pur-
poseless and cruel frenzy. Yet beyond
doubt there is an innate savagery
implanted deep in the human breast
that Is apt to fash forth suddenly from
the most unexpected sources, Accord
Ing to their lights the human slayers
of poor Marmion had acted; and would
have been not little surprised and
offended had somebody accused them
OF wilful and unnecessary cruelty. Nor
were. they to be set down as unusual
specimens OF the race. From time Inn
memorial the love of the chase, the
hunting to death Of some helpless wild
creature has proved popular pastme
with the sons Of men. Where the
quarry Is of a dangerous class,
equipped by nature with weapons Of
defense such as to place the hunted
on fair level of chance with the
hunter, there is perhaps some excuse
for those who revel in this form of
sport. 1t is throwing Of dice honest
ly weighted. with equal hazard for the
participators in the risky game.
But for one dauntless Nimrod who
goes forth carrying his life in his
hand to wage war against the savage
creatures Of the Wild, there are In evi.
dence countless numbers of less cour.
ageous individuals who glory in the
mere lust of Staying without any risk
to their own precious persons. Sports
men of the latter type deserve to be
listed as feeble bsrbarians, retaining
the desire to kill but destitute of the
hardihood that characterized their
iron-sinewed forbears. The savage al
least, while giving free rein to his un.
tutored instincts, commands respect
by the unfiinching courage with which
he faces the hunted beast that has
turned at bay. But where the ele.
ment of risk Is lacking, cannot find
1t In my soul to express admiration
for the dexterity of the hunter. The
sportive gentleman who boasts of the
number Of pheasants that have fallen
victims to HIS gun may be an excellent
shot, but must confess that his per-
fections In this respect fail to move
me to any great transports of delight.
One Is inclined to remember the caus.
tic comment Of the old French duelist
on the feat Of the novice who In.
formed him that he had succeeded in
snuffing the wick OF candle with q
pistol bullet at 20 PAGES:
do you suppose that your hand
would have been as steady II the
candle had been able to shoot back ?"
Inquired the veteran.
My mind was chaos Of tumultuoua
thoughts as walked slowly back to
the hut. Slight as the incident had
been It was SUFFICIENT to cast shadow
over the quiet beauty of that Sunday
morning. The serpent had intruded
II only for an instant, into paradise
and the grisly form Of Death held
CHASTITY carnival In the rustic wood
land. It is well for us that we have
scant time In the rush and whirl OF
everyday life to ponder overmuch on