12 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Atjocst 3, l-St-9- 



a fame which it tuny be. proud of, Jind us il caters to the 

 taste of gentlemen sportsmen, it will always lie. in demand 

 and appreciated by the increasing class to which it ministers. 

 Every editor and publisher knows that Ihere is a Scylla and 

 Charybdis endangering the .success of his venture every day, 

 hut a careful outlook and bit of judgment may save from 

 wreck 



The firm stand taken by Foickst and Stkka.u on many 

 questions of vital import to those who lore to be face to face 

 will) nature, is commendable, and has won it a place that 

 is enviable in the ranks of modern publications. 



The great problem, bow to preserve game and how to enact 

 and enforce game laws, must engage its attention till its 

 humane work in that, direction is rewarded by the establish- 

 ment of just laws and humane practice of field". sports, and the 

 paper that leads the van in this direction, may he assured of 

 UCCi sa and support. May the next decade of the. existence 

 of FOREST and STREAM prove me a true prophet as to the 

 above, and a welcome guest to all who love the companion- 

 ship of a dog, or "be quiet and go a-angling. " O. W. R. 

 i tssiPBE Park, July as, issa. 



T'ODGERS" DISCOURSES OF DOGS. 



/;/,,'..;■ fore, 



Sitting under the shade of a tree, enjoying the utter 

 loo and luxury of perfect rest and laziness is not cal- 

 culated to arouse one to effort; and it is astonishing how 

 lazy and torpid one can get to be, after a few days of such a 

 life— unbroken except by the drowsy bumming of the bees- 

 doing nothing. 



I lmve just been poring over the last number of Forest 

 and Stream; aud the various interesting articles on guns, 

 dogs, etc., have set me to thinking of the. changes that'huve 

 tal 11 ['lace in the years since when, as a hoy, 1 roamed the 

 woods of old Otsego county in quest of partridge, and lay 

 for hours behind a stump, watching a dry tree for wild 

 pigeons in a wheat stubble. We were armed with an old- 

 fashioned, long, single-barreled shotgun, that had been 

 altered, after years of service as a flintlock, to percussion, 

 just then coming into fashion, when tow wads, or an old 

 newspaper did duty, in place of Ely's pink- edged of the 

 present day; aud there was a powder horn, from' which the 

 powder was poured into the palm of the hand: an eel-skin 

 shoibng. with the. plug held between the teeth while the 

 charge of shot was measured out the same way, by the eye: 

 and then the thin small copper caps in a green paper box. 

 marked I). G., which we boys always interpreted as stand- 

 ing for "d good" — a definition not always borne out in 



practice, as only about half of them would go off. The old 

 gnu was loaded" to kill, and when a flock of pigeons settled 

 in the tree, with what breathless tremor we laid the ancient 

 piece across the stump and took a long aim at the thickest of 

 the bunch, expecting to be knocked" over backward when 

 she went off (and generally were), but ready to lay down the 

 gun and rush to the foot of the tree and pick up the half 

 down birds; then retire to the stump, load up again, and sit, 

 down again for a long wait for the next Hock. How proud 

 we were to lug home our game, especially if we had a part- 

 ridge sandwiched between the bunch, which we had knocked 

 overafte) along crawl on hands and knees to the loo- ,,n 

 Which the chap's drumming had betrayed his presence. "We 

 knew little about wing shots in those days, 



1 well remember the first fancy outfit that was brought lo 

 our village by -'a city feller." It was a revelation, and we 

 boys looked open-mouthed at the long, double shot bag that 

 hung over his shoulder, with charges and bright copper 

 flask wdth powder gauge carried in the breast pocket, and 

 the wonder of a game bag. We learned, however, to look 

 with some contempt on this fancy outfit when we went out 

 with the young man, for he affected great contempt for 

 shooting at a silling bird, but seldom hit allying one; while 

 US country boys went in for all we could sce'sitting, and got. 

 all the game. 



In those good old days birds were plentiful, and the 

 streams of old Delaware county were full of trout, and if 

 our tackle was rude compared to the fisherman's outfit of the 

 present day, wealways came home, with a big "string.' 1 

 Our lines we made ourselves from hair from the tails of the 

 farmer's old mares, which we surreptitiously pulled as tile 

 teams stood undo- the shed of the country "store, while the 

 old tanner was inside bartering his butter and cheese for 

 tobacco .and tea ; and they were good lines, too. My gov- 

 ernor was accounted the best fisherman in the county, and 

 was the only one that used the "fly," which he made him- 

 self. I shall never forget my first lesson hi its use. We 

 ■en l in for landing our fish by muscular effort; they 

 gi veridly struck the ground forty feet behind us or lodged 

 hook, line aud all in the branches of a hemlock twenty feet 

 high, involving a climb to release our prized hook; for our 

 stork was usually limited to what half a dozen eggs surrep- 

 titiously obtained would purchase al the village store. 



Those were the days before the Eric Railroad had brought 

 its thousands of fishermen to the streams of Western Jtfew 

 York. In fact fishing and shooting (hunting as it was called) 

 was considered as an evidence of "shiftlessDess." It was 

 very discreditable for a boy to be seen with a gun or "fish- 

 pole"OVei his shoulder stealing off through the back lots, 

 and a hoy known to be so affected was denomin . 

 shiftless creature, " that would never come to any good. 

 When the governor once ran for Congress his political 

 enemies made if rent capital out of the fact that he '•fished 

 and hunted." and I really believe he lost many votes thereby. 



But the governor was too fond of the sport to be inthi -ni. 



and 1 really believe would have chosen a cloudy day on a 

 trout si ream lo a Senatorship. His fondness for angling has 

 fallen unabridged on the shoulders of the undersigned/ To 

 look back to those primitive days when only here aud there 

 a fisherman was found, and a man that "hunted" was ex- 

 ceptional, not more than one of each kind perhaps in any 

 town, and comparing the present sets one to thinking where 

 we will land fifty years hence, at the rate we are going on. 

 There is scarcely a boy ten years of age of well-to-do 

 parents now that has not a gun, a watch, and split liamboo. 

 and talks knowingly of 'seasons," "catches" and "bags." 

 I look over your paper aud see endless discussions and hair- 

 splittings on questions and matters of shouting science that, 

 were never dreamed of in our philosophy a lew years since 

 —points so fine that one requires a magnifying glass to see 



them. Then see the beautiful guns that are made t 



split, bamboos, the finest tackle, in the manufacture of 

 Which heavy capital is embarked aud the most skillful 

 artisans are employed. Verily, to see a sportsman's outfit 

 in these days is to call forth the most rapturous and enthu- 

 siastic, admiration ; and then to see the. owner of all this 

 , tvt outfit in his toggery prepared for his pi'ey. Re Js 

 inTleed fearfully and wonderfully got up, 9 complicated 



ondei 



He 



fish with any success unless his 

 suit fits lo it nicety, his gaiters with just so many buttons, 

 his English shoes lacing up just, so high. Then his fishing 

 tackle — the reel would never do unless niekle plated; the 

 seven-ounce bamboo must he of well-known make. The 

 very fish come up to look at him in wonder, and as usual 

 curiosity leads to trouble. And yet I don't deny it is nice 

 to have all these nice things. Sfo one admires them more 

 than your humble servant, and no one perhaps lias "fooled 

 away" more money in their acquirement, and will continue 

 to do so as long as lie has any. 



In all this march of progress in the art of sport, I an) glad 

 to see dogs taking their proper place in snooting society and, 

 for that matter, in society of all kinds. In old limes the 

 family dog was an unappreciated institution; he was seldom 

 admitted to the social hearth, was broomstieked out of the 

 house with relentless vigor and made to shiver cold winter 

 nights on a bed of chips in the corner of the open wood 

 house. No accounted good housekeeper would tolerate a 

 dog in the house. J will except, my dear old mother who, 

 under a mental reservation and as n concession lo the gov- 

 s boys and the "two 

 • rug 'in front of the 

 Wo wire all young 

 fell asleep socially in 

 s of each other. But 

 ralk up Fifth avenue 

 i blue ribbon around 

 the world at large 



ernor's weakness for dogs, allowed 

 hounds. Sport and Lion, to roll on t 

 kitchen fire together winter evenings 

 pups together, and when tired of p'la 

 a heap, dogs and bovs making pilh 

 in these days dogs are dogs, and as I 

 and see many a little Yorkshire with 

 k sitting up gravel 



yin. 



from the window of a thousand-dollar carriage, I say to 

 myself Cz :t, irv lit, h fellow You .w: ss vortkr and 

 have just as good a right to be Ihere, probably, as the peoole 

 you are with; you have qualities that entitle you to a posi- 

 tion in any society. I am glad to see you having your day 

 at last." 



1 know a great many dogs, some intimately and some as 

 mere street acquaintances; dogs that I meet in my rambles 

 and we always "pass the time of day," and most of those 

 dogs of respectability and high character — educated. 



intelligent dogs— poli 

 of recognition and a w 

 much more respectable 

 their time in bee 



dogs, tht 

 igof thei 

 than thei 

 rl billi 



it always give vou a glance 

 ■tails." In habits they are 

 •owners often. Dogs never 

 aid saloons and have to tell 

 igagemeuts when they get 

 ing. The express companies 

 on of (he honesty and ehar- 

 iti the, panels of Adams Ex- 

 ilem of honesty and fidelity 



lies about important bui 

 home at two o'clock in the mi 

 seem to have a proper apprcc 

 acter of the dog. You will si 

 press wagons a safe, and as an 



a dog lying alongside of it. Why was not a man placed 

 there? Why the dog in preference? Why? Well, never 

 mind why; ths man who designed the illustration probably 

 knew the difference, and who could he trusted alongside a 

 safe and who couldn't. It is about the best illustration I 

 know of and a proper tribute to dog's superiority over man- 

 kind. 



When at the dog show recently held at Madison Square, 

 as I walked along the row of kennels and observed the hand- 

 some intelligent countenances of the dogs, I mentally com- 

 pared their "faces with those of the "bench show" in the. 

 square that I had just passed before entering. I will venture 

 to say that 1 could select one hundred dogs at random that 

 had more intelligent faces, belter qualities, and were in every 

 way superior to any hundred bench sitters in the Square. 

 There are as many grades and classes in dogs as in people. 

 There ore dogs that fit exactly the grade of society that 

 a fleet ihera. Commencing with the bull, where do you find 

 him'; With the "sporting" fraternity, the prize-ring advo- 

 cates: so on up to the noble setter, the gentleman's dog. 



On some other occasion, when not quite as indolent as at 

 this moment, I will write a chapter on dogs from personal 

 experience, without reference to their "points," or the dog 

 science of the present day. I think I know a good dog and 

 a good gun from practical experience, which is about as 



food a source of judgment as theories and book teaching. 

 confess that the rule of judging dogs at the bench shows 

 are beyond my comprehension, and if I was a dog of any 

 pride or self-appreciation, I should enter my protest A 

 good dog is a good dog all the woild over, even if deficient 

 in some little physical points. The handsomest are not 

 necessarily the best. 



Homely men, as a rule, are the most intellectual. I apply 

 the moral to suit my own views, if those of nobody else. 



On Old Long Island's Sea Girt Shobe, July, 1883. 



THE MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I have to-day returned from a trip through Illinois, In- 

 diana and Ohio, and find your reminder of my promise 

 made vou some time ago to report what the a»soe*iation are 

 doiner." I could be briff and say nothing, but come to think 

 a little closer conclude that we are doing considerable. T\ e 

 are setting a good example. Not like "the young man who 

 advertised for board in some family where his Christian 

 example would be an equivalent to shekels, but an example 

 of resignation. The now defunct Michigan Legislature 

 cooled our ardor considerably. Our great aim was lo get a 

 game warden— only one— appointed by the State;" hut 

 work hard as we could, we failed. We had tried the exper- 

 iment to our own satisfaction, in keeping Mr. Iliglry in the 

 field lor eight or nine months, supporting him by funds sub- 

 scribed by individuals. The plan was excellent, and he did 

 lots of good work. But we can't do it for a steady thing. 



We have had such a, wet spring and summer that I am 

 afraid grouse shooting will be poor, though the birds may 

 have nested on higher ground than usual. There were not 

 many old birds left to breed this spring, as they were killed 

 off last year by water in the same way. Quail will be 

 plentiful in most portions of the Stale. 'Not withstanding 

 the extreme cold and length of last, winter, they wintered 

 well; we had very little crust. 1 suppose, was the reason. I 

 haven't heard of any woodcock being seen yet; they proba- 

 bly are spread over a wide area, as the ground is soft every- 

 where. 



I hear of trout being taken in a number of streams this 

 year where they had been experimentally planted three or 

 four years ago Near Kalamazoo I hear tfiey are catchina 

 n good many and at Farwell on the F. and P. M. R. R" 

 several parties have caught good creels, Those at Farwell 

 .,',,: p]a -ii ed some time ago. It is rather early yet for gra v - 

 liugnshing, so I have not heard how they do hit, — I sup- 

 pose in the usual way, by closing the mouth. If it were not 

 for business I should tear mysell away and have a good fish, 

 and fight gnats ami mosquitoes. 



B now Huuti Qg 01 tt< id up S car that, is 



a model of beauty and comfort, and w r e are planning a trip 



to the Yellowstone Pari; on September I. I will send you a 

 full account of the trip. Notwithstanding the cool weather 

 Michiganders have flocked in usual numbers lo Mackinaw. 

 Charlevoix, Petosky. Hfggins Lake and tike places, of which 

 Michigan is blest with more than her share. 



Deer are nearly gone in the lower peninsula, and I hear of 

 parties being now made up that will hunt in the upper pen- 

 insula as -Don as the season opens. Deer roe in greal mini 

 hers across the straits, hut it will take a very few years to 

 make them as scarce as they are now in the lower 

 part of the Stale. 1 hope to see an effort made soon to raise 

 ' ep a man al work looking up violations of the 

 the season. Now I think I have told you all 

 You must remember it is between hay and gra 

 uu us uow, and so can't find anything startling. 

 Yours ti uly, W"M. B. Mehsuon, 



Secretary Michigan Sportsmen's Association, 



East Sacinaw. Mich., July 81), 



law late 

 the new 



A "FLICKERING." 



The boys were "whooping her up" on fish in line style, 

 and many really creditable efforts had been made. Joe yfli n. 

 Who was a bit "dalt," had started the ball rolling by staling 

 that he had caught on the previous evening over 

 heads, and that the largest, one weighed "eggzaetiy a pound 

 and nineteen ounces," This was il fair catch but it, soon 

 paled into insignificance beside the performances of the boys. 

 who vied wdth each other in a lavish display of the slimy 

 hut toothsome coitus that must have depopulat 

 Stream and lake for miles around, thus fully account- 

 ing for the extreme scarcity of the fish in tin, 

 vicinity. From a pailful to a two bushel and 

 a peck basketful the catches had gradually mounted up, 

 when Uncle Billy, who had been quietly watching his oppor- 

 tunity, coolly filled a two-horse wagon and triumphantly 

 paraded the' wriggling host before us. This was rather n 

 damper, and silence fell upon the crowd. After a lew mo 

 [frentS some one asked Cud "now many he had ever caught. 

 With a pitying glance at Uncle Billy he exclaimed. "Bull- 

 heads! Why, you don't know- nothing about 'em; you ought, 

 a the pile [ caught up to Joneses Lake' ten or a 

 fl "/.eii years ago. Why. I pulled out, so many that 1 lowered 

 the water in the pond egg/.actly a, foot and fourteen inches." 

 Shadow. 



TWO STORIES FROM THE GOLDEN GATE. 



All hail the tenth auniversay of the Forkst ant> Stream ' 

 So say we all of us who dwell beneath the broad poi tals ol 

 the Golden Gate aud who, even when business but rarely 

 permits Of our paying our devoirs at tile shrine of the sv'l- 

 goddess, still* rind an unalloyed pleasuic in all lhat ap- 

 pertains to the exciting spoils of field and flood. Of all the 

 sources from which we derive this pleasure, of all the avail- 

 ihle means by which we seek in the picture, the most, satis 

 factory substilue for actual personal experience, we know of 

 e puter, more tailhful or more prolific than the columns 

 of this same PoJtESTAIJD Stiikam. 



Indefatigable and eminently successful in irs efforts to sel 

 before its readers all that can interest or instruct, them in its 

 particular sphere of action, ever advocating those chivalrous 

 methods of conduct, in the field that ennohl.-s rniher than 

 degrades the man, and inexorably closing its s 

 columns to al! chicanery and fraud." it has ever 3bn 

 to itself and to the brilliant galaxy of correspondents dun 

 adorn its pages. 



How pleasant it would be could all that long line of con- 

 tributors be gathered together around one grand camp-fire 

 on the tenth birthday of their favorite journal' Nessmuk," 

 •'Kingfisher," "Penobscot." "Byrne" and a host of others 

 equally worthy, whose contributions are always hailed witli 

 delight by its 'readers in every portion of our laud, he il in 

 Oregon or Florida, Maine or Arizona, and whom we long 

 to grasp by the hand and greet as we greet long-tried and 

 long-absent friends. Methinks such a gathering would he a, 

 red-letter day in the memories of those participating in il. the 

 recollections id which would ever after be the source of the 

 most exquisite pleasure. 



Hut although all this may not be possible, and many of US, 

 at least, must e\er remain "content to commune thio'iiLfh the 

 medium of pen and pencil with those who aie able lo touch 

 chords that vibrate in perfect harmony with our own, we 

 may still draw some consolation from the thought that Un- 

 pen sometimes reveals a depth of character, heart end soul 

 more profound than would be laid bare by even years of as- 

 sociation in the ordinary business walks of life. 



this, that to my mind it" stands second only tpth 



file where many of us have selected kindred spirits out from 



among those who have shared wdth us the lonely camp-fire 



and stood close by our side amidst all the privation.- ; mid 



hardships which are the inevitable coneonfitants of all those 



who cut loose entirely from civilization and plunge into 



the mountains, forests, or plains. and are I brown almost 



daily into trying situations that bring to light man 



and truthfully the innermost characteristics of a man than 



any other position in life. 



Ten years is a big slice in the active life of a man. and 



ost of us I'iin bring to mind some comrade, tried and true, 



ho during that time has passed over the dark river, far 



lyond the" sound of dorp-month, ,,l hound or hum , 



wo or three such rise up before me now as the memories of 



use ten years crowd in upon me, and foremost anion ■,, m 



imes "Old Tike," a character well known to inn ,1 tllC 



lovers of doc and gun in ibis cil.v and further north. I lid 



Pike was the only name he went by or ackuowledui d tml 1 



doubt, if any one" here knew it was not his true i 



nit several 'hunters on Pugel, Sound, where he had hunted 



nd trapped Tor many years, assured me that Pike was a 



quired in some unknown way soon after he arrived 



on the coast; and that, some persons still living Dt Pint 



Townaend knew wdiat, his real name was. An old Oali.oni- 



on hearing the name would immediately take it for 



granted that he was from Missouri, but this also would lie 



an error as he was horn in one of the three most northern 



New England States, and coming here by water ha 



as t believe, visited any of what were formerly known a- 



the Westen 



Old Pike was a character ill by himsell When 1 first 

 knew him he was about fifty years 01 ag< 

 fully built man. with brown hair mixed with gray swarthy 

 skin and smoothly shaven face, A bachelor through life, 

 he spent all his leisure while remaining in Lhe city in two or 

 ores, oi at his ico i , | adjusl 



ing his titles," preparing his ammunition, accoutrem i , eto, 

 and in caressing and training his dogs. In 1807 I went 

 with him to San Diego, where wc hunti 6 

 together, thereby cementing a friendship that continued un 



