Evening star., 1925-11-26
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRACEWELL.

many 1t takes to make Just one beau
tiful wrap-are finally converted into
collars and cuffs and coats and strips
of some sort of furry material that
adorn milady, was brought more
widely to notice, that possibly even
tually some way could be devised
whereby women could still have the
fur, but it could be acquired by more
merciful means--such as fur farms,
where the animals are put humanely
to death.
These little animals-otters, musk
rats, coons. foxes, etc.-are so shy
they are seldom seen in their native
haunts, but at night they are forced
out by the need Of food and the cruel
traps are baited with what to them
IS choice food-gloves often being
used to prevent the odor Of a man,
which Is easily detected by their keen
scent.
The snap of the jaws of a trap
is often strong enough to break the
leg Of a small animal and there he
must stay, suffering. cold, hungry
and terrified, until the trap is visited
at the convenience of the trapper
and he is put out of his misery. 1t
is not an uncommon occurrence to
find a sprung trap containing a paw
which has been gnawed off by the
animal in his desperate efforts to
free himself.
Il feel sure that I am not exag-
gerating when l say that in the part
of the country where l have seen
this trapping the trappers are the
lowest class of men-too lazy and
shiftless to learn any trade or work
but content to earn an Indifferent
living by preying on the needs of
animals for food. which is often diff
ficult enough to secure when the riv-
ers are frozen over and the snow
lies many feet deep.
II realize that this is not a par
ticularly plea SAINT subject. nor one
which will meet with widespread SYM
pathy, but please write a little more
In your inimitable style. Hoping that
l have not wearied you by my
lengthy appreciation Of your effort,
l am, yours truly,
Mrs. B. e. c."
X
The writer of this column is thank
full today for many kind letters sent
him during and since his return from
belated vacation. Perhaps one or
two more may interest.
Il have just returned from near
New London. Conn, where 1 fed
after the hot spell of last June. Your
ad for the recovery of the lost Jack
Spratt and the writeup concerning
this distinguished feline appeared in
The Star just before 1 left and,
though I'm not especially fond of
cats. l felt much concerned over the
loss, not only to you, but to the whole
community.
To-day. just by chance. l came
across your This and That in the
Sunday edition of November /, and
hasten to write you my delight that
the lost was found. I've been max
ing a slow recovery from writing n
lot Of what from my point of view
was slushy fiction for the New York
magaZines-not so grammatical this,
but you'll get my meaning and your
articles have seemed like an oasis
in a particularly dreary desert So
thank YOU. pleasant journeyings. and
philosopher with his beloved Jack
Spratt. Very truly, NJ. c."
Another: Some time ago you
wrote in The Star regarding the
gladiolus flower, some details of
which appealed to me: First, the
now official pronunciation Of the
name. and, second, your appreciation
Of the flowers beauty. AS to the lat
ter, perhaps, I am more unbiased
than most admirers. for I have not
planted a single bulb Of it this year.
and. as a rule, do not do this any
year" The writer says that on ac-
count OF lack of time and clay soil
he confines himself to the Iris, add
ing:
However, Mr.. Tracewell while
speaking of and admiring the gladio-
lus, why omit all reference to an.
other flower. which, in my mind, is
the most glorious of them all-the
Iris, Capital T. please, for most
lovers of it write it So"