26 HUNTING DOGS. 



tions of the United States. Other game is be- 

 coming very scarce. The w ealthy business man, 

 the man of affairs who is tied to his desk six 

 days out of the week, can own a 'coon hound 

 and in the stilly hours of the night, after the 

 day's turmoil of business, can enjoy a few hours 

 of the most strenuous s^Dort now left to us and 

 Avitness a battle roj^al between his faithful hound 

 and the monarch of the forest, the wily 'coon. 

 Nothing that I can contemplate i.j more ex- 

 hilarating or more soothing to the nerves than 

 the excitement of the 'coon hunt. From the first 

 long drawn note when the trail is struck until 

 the hound's victorious cry at the tree, it is one 

 round of excitement and anticipation. What or 

 whose hound is leading? What direction will 

 Mr. 'Coon take? AVhat dog will be first to tree? 

 And then the fight! It is simply great! And 

 then showing the hide to the boys who didn't go, 

 and telling them about it for days to come. 



The 'coon hunt calls for man^^ood. Tender 

 weaklings cannot endure the exertions necessary 

 to enjoy this sport. It is too strenuous for the 

 lazy man or the effeminate man to enjoy. They 

 shudder at the thoughts of donning a pair of 

 lieavy hip boots and tramping thru swamps and 

 slashes, crossing creeks and barbed wire fences, 

 thru briars and thickets, maybe for several 

 miles, and the probability of getting lost and 



