Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-12-03
!: CHRISTMAS FOX
|: HUNT IN AMERICA

1tates- engage in 4 fox hunt. This Is
The modern survival Of the ancient
chase that used to furnish game for
the great holiday feast.
Long AGO in the middle ages befort
The dag 0f markets, OF atorage houses
~ refrigerator cars the lord and .Yar
Sais shared The fruits of the Hon and
ncornsn to eat that which they did not
Kill. At dnybreak on the morning Of
the holiday the chieftain summoned
the men OF his clan. and to horse they
went IN pursuit Of the wild boar.
Across hills and level stretches,
through swanps and across frozen
streams they galloped till they came
up with the fierce prey.
In the battle that ensued the priv.
iege Of the most valorous feats. OF
undergoing the greatest danger and
Of finally administering the death
stroke was intrusted to the noblest.
Then the body Of the boar was carried
back by the vassals. the body roasted
md the head garnished and decorated
to take the place Of honor in the cen;
ter Of some long table laid In the cen
ter Of a baronial hail.
Far into morning Of the next day
would the roistering continue, and
the poor gentleman who could drink
only one bottle was destined to sad
experiences in this bout of mighty
bibblers.
The boar has passed from the earth
No longer does the lord kill bis own
Christmas feast. but In small measure
he revives the joys Of the holiday
hunt by his pursuit Of sly reynard
There are in the United States seven
t. first class clubs devoted to thu
sport Of fox hunting. The season be
gun at Thanksgiving day Is at its
height by Christmastide. for then the
air Is crisp with frost, and the last Of
the crops that hunters might have
damaged have been gathered into the
barn and safely stored away.
For persons OF wealth these are ear.
" risers who, at I O'clock in the morn.
ing. have gathered near the clubhouse
One comrade joins another, and q
merry exchange OF Christmas greet
ings recalls the holiday.
Trotting behind the huntsmen and
the whippers-in come the hounds, now
quiet and businessiike. but at the
word Of command ready to break into
81 very babbte Of dog Noise Horses,
gnperb horses. strain eagerly ut their
brides, anxious to bear their red coat
ed riders OF in the chase.
The master Of the hounds gives his
word Of command. and across corn
field the mad Christmas race starts.
To the first fence comes the mad cav
alcade. 1t is high one. Over, under
and through the bars scramble the
dogs. Grandly on his horse the mas
ter takes the fence. Others follow,
some not so gracefully. Some one
falls, but the race goes on, all eager
to reach that place where in front the
hound is giving tongue.
There comes ditch whose surface
is only partly frozen, the middle hav-
ing the water free. The leap is a bad
one, with the footing covered with ice.
but one after another the hunters put
their steeds at it.. Some slip and
scramble. splashing seas Of mud on
their riders, but none cares. Too great
is the joy of getting over without loss
of time to worry over q couple Of
pounds Of mud added to the weight OF
what the gallant horse must carry. s.
A level stretch is reached. The thor
oughbreds are put to it to Keep up
with the dogs. Then come wilder
Outburst of barking and the capture
Of fox. The brush Is taken and
awarded to the lucky duer9 who sWas
IN at the death. N 81
Then the party turns sedately back,
the excitement OF the day over The
dogs are returned to the kennel, the
horses are carefully rubbed down, the
participants in the hunt have their
shower bath and are ready~t0 dress
for dinner inter the most exciting and
enjoyable start a Christmas day can
well have.
Not only members Of the clubs have
taken part in this chase. The growing
good will between farmer and huntes
has turned the attention Of the man Of
agriculture to the delights Of this hol
iday ride. He has mounted his best
horse and Joined in the race. He. too
returns home to hearty dinner to tell
what good time he had.
In less aristocratie clubs, such as the
many organizations Of farmers are In
various parts OF the country. the hunt
Is less ornate, but 1t results in more
Christmas killings Of foxes.
The wild rough country of Virginia
makes directly following behind the
hounds hazardous. If not impossible
performance. This gives rise to the
distinctiyely American style Of hunt.
ing, which Is to let the hounds work
much Of the time alone. the hunter fol
lowing only III split. catching q
glimpse of the flying pack occasional
", or, guided By their musical baying
trying to catch up at the next station.
In Kentucky the Christmas hunt Is
held at night. ON Christmas eve.
The fox hunt Is an importation from
England, where it still Is the favorite
sport Of the elite at Christmas time
virginia's early settlers frst introduc
cd the custom into the colonies, and
General George Washington was one
Of the most famous Of fox hunters
The colonial girl was educated to toz
hunting as part Of her accomplish
ments. and hundreds Of the bellies
could take eve rail fence a. easily al
they cur graceful figure in . minust
Avoid Argument At Table.