My Boyhood and Youth 



in grain-fields and log fences and the thickets 

 of young oaks that grew up in pastures after 

 the annual grass fires were kept out. Catching 

 hares in the winter-time, when they were hid- 

 den in hollow fence-logs, was a favorite pastime 

 with many of the boys whose fathers allowed 

 them time to enjoy the sport. Occasionally a 

 stout, lithe hare was carried out into an open 

 snow-covered field, set free, and given a chance 

 for its life in a race with a dog. When the snow 

 was not too soft and deep, it usually made good 

 its escape, for our dogs were only fat, short- 

 legged mongrels. We sometimes discovered 

 hares in standing hollow trees, crouching on 

 decayed punky wood at the bottom, as far back 

 as possible from the opening, but when alarmed 

 they managed to climb to a considerable height 

 if the hollow was not too wide, by bracing them- 

 selves against the sides. 



Foxes, though not uncommon, we boys held 



steadily to work seldom saw, and as they found 



plenty of prairie chickens for themselves and 



families, they did not often come near the 



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