The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-04-29
EEGLAND'S SACRED BEAST.
on~ritten Law Against Shooting Even
Hen EATING Foxes.

N' -~NHi8 fSbee-
Down in the country the Other
DAY There was a village sensation in
which was called upon TO adjudi-
cate for the farmers assembled in
= the parlor of the only village inn,'
writes the London correspondent OF
Town and Country "One Of their
number had shot fox which had
prowlcd about among the fowls for
SO many nights that fowl keeping
was becoming a risky business.
The ordinary farmer does not
mind losing an occasional hen, but
reynard is greedy beast and kills
for the mere pleasure of the thing,
and the hunt does not always pay
up promptly. So here was a fine
point in sporting etiquette to be
settled. The farmer had shot fox.
He did not deny it. In fact, he pre-
fcrred to throw out his chest with
pride, as if in defiance of all the un-
written laws of British sport.
"Now, custom from time imme-
mortal has decreed that the fox
shall be as safe from gun and trap
as i he were sacred. He belongs to
the hounds and must be allowed to
roam through the covers and farm
yards at viii, devouring what NAV
happen in his way. Custom, too,
demands that the hunt shall pay
the damages. The hunt generally
pays, though in innumerable cases
the secretary is well aware that he
Is being swindled.
"But this particular farmer said
he had hunted for many years him
self and had never made claim for
lost hens. 4 year or two ago, how
ever. a fox had paid a nocturnal
visit to his fowl yard and had played
havoc with the feathered denizens.
\ night or two after il happened
agnln. A third time the fox came
round and made a most deplorable
mess Of a lot Of fine Wvandottes
and some expensive Baf Orping-
TONS
Then the farmer wrote to the
huns secretary and ked for dam
lgcs. The reply was that the claim
would lie attended to shortly, and
It Christmas tie settlement came
l. the fern of-a nam. Thereupon
he farmer declared war on all foxes
nd killed them ruthlessly. And
his vas the point which puzzled the I
armcrs on Saturday night.
"Jm Crawford shot a fox last I
ear, said one Of the men, and no
'ood has come to him since. 1t !
int lucky and it amt sportsman
Ike. Let 'em Kill your hens. That's
hat they are there for, and If one Q
unit secretary 10 mean there are a 9
undred who are generous q
There YOU have it. Sport is u
port and its rules are adamant. 1t
lust, however, be put to the credit a
British hunt clubs that they a.
'end millions Of pounds year in s.
ngland. Wales and Ireland for the II
Dkeep OF the sport. u
Think Of the hunters that are a.
ed and sold annually, the packs W y,
hoands. the huntsmen, the stable !. y
'ople, the dozens Of hangers on i
no make a living out of i'll With u
It the hounds certain districts of pr
lgland would be depopulated. A'
,icestershire and the midland
unties would be almost impoyer-
ned if law were suddenly put in ::
rec g make an end to the rich ~ ~
ans pastime. Country houses in Ia Ia
nhurting districts may be had al -, -
'st for the price of a cottage in -, 80
'icestershire, whereas in the II, II,
lorn and Pytchley country coun- ~
house is as expensive, il not a.,
IRE so, than a London mansion. a.;
stead Of diminishing, hunting has ~,
own in popular favor" ~ ~,