A MIXED BAG. 317 



There was a rap at the door about five o'clock .in the morn- 

 ing and on going to the door, I found two men with a lantern ; 

 one man of middle age, the other a young man. There had just 

 been a fall of snow of about four inches, and the men were going 

 onto the Cross Fork of Kettel Creek, deer hunting. They had 

 stayed at a farm house on the other road and had started from 

 this house between three and four o'clock in the morning. See- 

 ing a light in the ofiice, they thought they would come in and 

 stay until daylight. 



The old gentleman inquired what I was doing there. I in- 

 formed him that I was trying to trap a little. He said that he 

 should not think it would pay me, but if I could catch a fox it 

 would be different, as he had seen several tracks along the road 

 by the light of the lantern. He also told me that he had a recipe 

 for making fox scent, that was a dead sure thing, and as I lived 

 so far from his place, I would not be liable to interfere with his 

 trapping, he would knock off one-half his usual price and sell me 

 a recipe for five dollars. 



I said I would see what luck I had while they were gone, and 

 it might be possible that I would buy his recipe when he came back. 

 He said, delays were dangerous, and that I was losing the greatest 

 opportunity of my life, that he might not come back that way. I 

 thanked him, but told him I would chance it. 



It was now daylight, and as the hunters stepped outside they 

 noticed the carcass of a wildcat, and I told them if they would 

 step to the corner of the building, they would see what I got 

 yesterday. They did so, and gazed for one second at the pelts, 

 then the older of the two said, "Come, Charley, let's be going," 

 and they left without even bidding me good morning. 



Comrades you do not know how I enjoy your letters as given 

 in this splendid magazine, especially so this winter (season of 

 1905-6) as I have not been able to trap. But I have no kick com- 

 ing for this is only the third time in fifty years, but what I have 

 been able to be out with the traps and gun. 



I know that the readers of the H-T-T would be pleased to 

 read articles from old veterans. The H-T-T has about reached 

 the height of perfection so far as the trapper is concerned. There 



