Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-08-19

one summer on WdcCaElaW NeCh-lI
was early summer, with hawthorns
blowing and magno'ias in flower-a
friend suggested the idea of taking a
ramble in the woods in order to COR
rect the es Innate on piece of timber,
which he thou ght had been too closely
| looked" ..
In order that the folks round about
might not suffer from unsatisfied curl
osity, we each took our hunting coats,
gun and other hunting paraphernalia.
There were no dogs; thereupon the
neighbors concluded we were after
squirrels, so thick down there that
dog would be in the way. 1t is always
we'll to reassure the public.
We took a. fairly good round through
a portion Of the timber, cutting off
several sections and estimating, or
looking" them.
At the very edge of large bay we
sat down to cast up the figures. 1t was
getting on into the day and the heat
was sensible, as the trees shut off the
breeze. Back of US the land rolled
away in gentle undulations, covered
with giant pines, and some hardwood
in the open spaces. The beautiful
Striped Wintergreen starred the forest
floor. with it's waxy- white blossoms
and the air was flied with the rich
perfume. This was a piece OF un-
touched forest, which consisted OF
some thousands of acres.
The bay, formerly a reserve Tor
holding water for irrigating rice, ran
off for nearly two miles, when great
six hundred-acre field opened out
Raccoon Spotted.
AS we sat at the foot Of pine,
figuring away, or rather my friend
figured, while / waited, there passed
before my eyes the vision OF a Tiger
Coon, high up in a gigantic tupelo.
The trunk of the tree had been sharply
broken off, and around this fiat top
some warblers were pirouetting. The
raccoon had raised himself up out of
hollow, about half of his body being
exposed. His object was perhaps TO
grab a bird out of the four or five
warblers that were flying around.
This was stately and dignified rae
coon. Only q white cravat, a pair OF
spectacles and vest were needed TO
make as fine picture Of a lyceum lee
iurer as one could ask to see.
reached out one hand slowly, try
ing to get hold of gun; but the old
gentleman saw .me evidently; for he
settled down inside the hole.
John" said to my friend. there is
an o!d Tiger Coon in that tupelo. Keep
your eye on 1t until l can get man
- hi
"All right" he answered Il shall
stand guard over him and the tree;
Just don't be long"
When | reached the nearest house,
it so happened that Abraham. darkey
well known to me, had just finished
sharpening his axe and was trying the
blade with his fingers. On the offer or
half dollar for the job, he came right
on with me-.
Getting Him Out.
The tupelo was soon down, but when
il fell owing to the mass of vines. moss
and limbs, ID could not be sure that
the coon was still in the hollow. He
could have jumped or even got out
after the tree was down. SO we took
a stick ande felt for him. Hair came
out on the stick and we knew he was
there, so Spanish moss was stuffed in
to the hole until there was no possi-
bility of his getting past it, and the
tree was sounded until the solid feel
showed his location.
told Abraham to cut until he was
almost through into the hol' 'ow, then
cave the last chip, after loosening it.
Abraham was a famous 'aXeman and
proud of his art. When his axe bit
through, he loosened the last chip, but
left it and called to me.
There was a long buckskin string in
my coat, about thirty feet long, for
several pieces had been joined to make
II. AS | raised the big chip, the rae
coon pushed by it, going further up
the tree, but leaving his hind-feet
sticking out. Thereupon the string was
made fast to one foot, and Abraham
was told to tie the other foot also.
which he proceeded to do, getting
down on his knees for the purpose.
Negro and Coon.
AS he pulled the last knot tight, l
gave the string a violent jerk and his
cory began on the instant. The coon
was whrled out right into Abraham $
bosom and he laid hold. 1t was first
Negro and then coon, over and under,
ca Lch AS ca tch-can, no faVors asked
and none granted. They went under
the log and into a brush pile, scatter
ing sticks and leaves like tornado.
Howling, yawlng, "cussin" and shout
ing were mixed in dreadful fashion.
All that was left Of Abraham's shirt
was a piece sticking under one gallows,
where a skewer he d it fast; the coon
tore off all the rest. But for having
his hind legs tied, there is no telling
hn Wntlll done
ther: this handicap allowed Abraham
to break away, and with total disre-
gard of ring rules. he forgot all about
going to his corner at the end Of the
round, but took to the woods.
Old Maum Salley, who passed along
the woods path, said that Abraham
''wuz runnin' like de debbil, and all de
witches wuz behind him."
had been so absorbed in the per-
formance, worth two dollars Of any
body's money, even in the gallery. that
the coon almost landed on me before
knew it, and he had to be killed with
S.ti oh