Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-19
HIS FIRST DEER.
Windsorvile Lad Shoots Buck Which
Had Been Dead Week.

Pinkham started out, Thursday, of
last week, and was determined to
bring home his trophy before nightfall.
The trip had been carefully planned
weeks previous. and nothing had been
left undone toward making the hunt
as pleasing as possible.
Call me, Lena, at 4.S0 in the morn
ing" said Harry, as lie retired,
Wednesday night, the stars are out
now, and it looks as though it was go
ing to be a good day tomorrow. Don't
forget now said the youthful hunter
To his older sister, as i want to be
sure to get an early start ''All
right Harry was the reply from his
sister. Il will be sure to wake you"
Soon the young lads head rested on
his pillow and dreams OF deer shoot
ing were taking place. Harry rolled
about nervously in his bed and awoke
about every hour during the night 10
cast an eye on the odd alarm clock
that had been. left on the bureau. for
fear that his sister might oversleep.
At last the long tedious night had
passed and dawn appeared over the
eastern horizon. Z gentle tap was
heard at the door. and soft voice
calling. Harry, Harry. it's 4.30."
With one spring, Harry landed out of
bed and was not long in dressing him.
self and appearing in the kitchen.
His thoughtful sister had oeen up
fer an hour previous. had kindled the
IRE. and had also prepared him an
excellent breakfast The young hunt
er partook heartily of the meal. and
soon finished. and pushing himself
back from the table, he was in deep
thought for moment, but this did not
last long. for he was up from the
table and was looking over his old
500 Winchester, to see If it was all
right and ready for business. a lunch
was put up by his sister and the start
made. BE careful Harry" said his
sister. and do not shoot yourself.
eithar are mistaken for a deer. or ac-
cidentally discharge their own gun
nowadays iii be careful" said the
youth. and with a pleasant smile and
a fond goodbye he trotted off in an
easterls direction. over the frosty hill
tops and valleys. having what is
knewn as the Hurricane" for his
destination.
About $50 the hunting ground was
reached and the real hunt began.
Partridees Why the woods was full
of them. Rabbits They We're as
common as the cats around the neigh
berhood But il vas neither par
tIidses nor rabbits that Harry was
seeking for he VAS after deer, and a
deer only.
Along the lodges, through the
swamps and cedar thickets the hunter
went, looking this way and that way
for buck or doe, whichever hap
pened to cross his path. AS ne APP
peared through the brush of thick
growth. his heart was beating with
excitement about 100 yards to the left
was a buck deer lying down He's
asleep" thought Harry, what cinch,
I'll show some of the people around
home what l can do" With the rifle
raised to his shoulder, trembling like a
leaf and still with deliberate aim, he
fired. Still the deer refused to be
awakened. quite strange" Harry
muttered to himself, 4 wonder why
he didn't start at the report of the
rifle. l must have hit vital spot and
killed him instantly" He drew along
nearer and then thought to himself,
Il had better make sure, for he may
only be foolng me, and l when l get
closer he will be up and off, Once
more the rifle was raised, ana with a
loud report that made the woods re-
sound, the rifle was discharged again.
This time the buck refused 20 move.
Harry was now hurrying toward his
game chuckling to himself at his prize.
The spot where the deer lay was
reached Both shots had taken eff
feet, Harry discovered as he examined
the buck. Then sigh went up from
the youthful hunter. The buck had
been wounded no less than week or
ten days previous, and weakened from
the loss of blood from other bullet
wounds inflicted by some hunter the
deer had fallen to the ground and died.
1t is needless to speak of the dis
appointment that this young lad suf-
fered when he made the discovery.
With a stick, one of the horns of the
huge buck was knocked off as evil
dence to the family. when ne reached
home, that he really had shot a deer.
At dusk, Harry. tired and footsore.
into the dooryard of his
home. Willis, his father. mad just
finished milking, and was in the act
of carrying the milk into the house.
when he caught sight of his son.
What luck did you have, my boy"
said the father. Cant you see"
said Harry waving the bucks horn in
his hands. I'VE must go over in the
with the horse and beach
wagon and get my deer" BY this
time sister Lena, and the other MEM
bers of the family, upon hearing
Harrys previous exclamation had put
in an appearance. and were busily
patting the boy on the back, con-
him upon his success.
When the evening meal had been-fin-
shed the topic of conversation was
that buck"
AS bed time drew near Harry
thought he had had fun enough with
lis folks, and suddenly wnen all was
luiet, he said: 1T was like this.
father, / ran across this buck and