IV '~TL ' eO) rv {K C'IVC ( . by f THEODORE ROOSEVELT NT V ' 'tcopyrjpht, ISJ3, by G. P. Putnam's 8on«. Published under arrangement with U. P. Putnam's Suns, Now York and London.] IIE moose is the giant of I all deer; and many hunt- I ers esteem it the noblest J of American game. Be- yond question there are few trophies more prized than the huge shovel horns of this strange dweller in the cold northland forests. I shot my first moose after making several fruitless hunting trips with this special game in view. The season I finally succeeded it was ouly after hav ing hunted two or three weeks In vain, among the Bitter Root Mountains, and the ranges lying southeast or tnem. I began about the first of September Isn wf*' si _ r 7~4¥ We then dropped on hands and knees. by making a trial with my old hunting friend Willis. We speedily found a country where there were moose, but of the animals themselves we never caught a glimpse. The moose which lived in Isolated, exposed localities were speedily killed or driven away after the incoming set tlers; and at the time that we hunted we found uo sign of them until we reached the region of continuous forest. Here, in a fortnight's minting, we found as much sign as we wished, and plenty of it fresh; but the animals themselves wo not only never saw, bu wi never so much as heard. Often aft er h of careful still-luinting or cau tious track'' g. we found the footprints deep in the soil earth, showing where our quarry hail winded or heard us, and lu:d noi re sly slipped away from the danger. I began to think that this ni >osc-liunl. like all my former ones, was doomed to end in failure. However, a few days later I met a era lilted old tripper named llank Grif fin. who was going after beaver in the mountains, and who told me that if 1 would come with him lie would show me moose. 1 jumped at the chance, and he proved as good as his word; though for the first two trials my ill luck did not change. At the time that it finally did change we had at last reached a place where the moose were on favorable ground. A high, marshy valley stretched for several miles between two rows of stony mountains, clad with a forest of rather small fir-trees. This valley was covered with reeds, alders, and rank grass, and studded with little willow bordered ponds and island-like clumps of spruce and graceful tamaracks. Having surveyed the ground and found moose sign the preceding after noon. we were up betimes in the cool morning to begin our hunt. Before sunri.se we were posted on a rocky *iur of the foot-hills, behind a mask of evergreens; ourselves unseen we overlooked ail the valley, and we knew we could see any animal which might lie either feeding away from cover or on its journey homeward from its feed ing ground to its day-bed. As it grew lighter we scanned the valley with increasing care and eager ness. The sun rose behind us; and al most as soon as It was up we made out some large beast moving among the dwarf willows beside a little lake half a mile in our front. In a few minutes the thing walked out where the bushes were thinner, and we saw that it was a young bull rnoose browsing on the willow tops. He had evidently nearly finished his breakfast, and he stood# idly for some moments, now and then lazily cropping a mouthful of twig tips. Then he walked off with great strides in a straight line across the marsh, splashing among the wet water-plants, anil ploughing through boggy spaces with the indifference begotten of vast strength and legs longer than those of any other animal on this continent. After a while he reached a sprure island, through which he walked to and fro; but evidently could find there in no restlng-plnce quite to his ml:vl for he soon left ar:d went 011 to aim!', er. Here after a little .wandering he chose a point whore there was some thick young growth, which bid him from view when he lay down, though not when he stood. After some turn ing he settled himself in bis bed just as a steer would. He could not have choseu a spot bet ter suited for us. Me was nearly al the edge of the morass, the open space between the spruce clump where he was lying and the rocky foot-hills be ing comparatively dry and not much over a couple of hundred yards broad while some sixty yards from it, and between it and the hills, was a little hummock, tufted with firs. so as tc afford us just the cover we needed. Keeping back from the edge of the morass we were able to walk upright through the forest, until we got the point where he was lying in a line with this little hummock. We then dropped on our hands and knees, and crept over the soft, wet sward, where there was nothing t-> make a noise. At last we reached the hummock, and I got into position for :t shot, taking a final look at my fnithful i. r >-90 Win chester to spo that all iv as in order. Peering cautiously through the shield ing evergreens, 1 at first could not make out where the moose was lying, until my eye was caught by the motion of his big ears, as he occasionally Hap ped them lazily forward. Even then I could not see his outline: but I know where he and having pushed my rifle forward on the moss. I snapped a dry twig to make him rise. My veins were thrilling and my heart beating xith that eager, fierce excitement, known only to the b.tnter of big game, and forming one of the keenest and strongest of 1 lie many pleasures which with him goto make up "the wild Joy of living." As the sound of the snapping twig smote his ears the moose rose nimbly to his feet, with a lightness on which one would not have reckoned in a beast so heavy of body. lie stood broadside to me for a moment, his ungainly head slightly turned, while Ids ears twitched and his nostrils snuffed the air. Draw ing a fine bead against his black hide, behind his shoulder and two thirds of his body's depth below his shaggy withers, I pressed the trigger, lie neither flinched nor reeled, but started with his regular ground-covering trot through the spruces; yet I knew he was mine, for the light blood sprang fr«m both of his nostrils, and he fell dying on his side before he had gone thirty rods. Later in the fall I was again hunting among the lofty ranges which continue towards the southeast the chain of the Bitter Hoot, between Idaho and Mon tana. There were but two of us, and we were travelling very light, each hav ing but one pack-pony and the saddle animal he bestrode. We were high among the mountains, and followed no regular trail. Hence our course was often one of extreme difficulty. Occa sionally, we took our animals through the forest near timber line, whfcrc the slopes were not too steep; again we threaded our way through a line of glades, or skirted the foot-hills, in an open, park country; and now and then we had to cross stretches of tangled mountain forest, making but a few miles a day, at the cost of incredible toil, and accomplishing even this solely by virtue of the wonderful docility and sure-footedness of the ponies, and of my companion's skill with the axe and thorough knowledge of wobderaft. Late one cold afternoon we came out in a high alpine valley in which there was no sign of any man's having ever been before us. Down its middle ran a clear brook. On each side was a belt of thick spruce forest, covering the lower flanks of the mountains. The trees came down in points and isolated clumps to the brook, the banks of which were thus bordered with open glades, rendering t lie travelling easy and rapid. Soon after starting up this valley we entered a beaver meadow of consid erable size, it was covered with lush, rank grass, and the stream wound through it rather sluggishly in long curves, which were fringed by a thick growth of dwarfed willows. In one or two places it broadened into small ponds, bearing a few lily-pads. This meadow had been all tramped up by moose. Trails led hither and thither through the grass, the willow twigs were cropped off. and the muddy banks of the little black ponds were Indented by hoof-marks. Evidently most of the lilies had been plucked. The footprints were unmistakable; a moose's foot Is longer and slimmer than a caribou's, while on the other hand It is much larger than an elk's, and a longer oval In shape. Most of the sign was old. this higi" alpine meadow, surrounded by snoV, mountains, having clearly been a fa vorite resort for moose in the summer; but some enormous, fresh tracks told that one or more old bulls were still frequenting the place. The light was already fading, and, of course, we did not wish to camp where we were, because we would then certainly scare the moose. Ac cordingly we pushed up the valley for another mile, through an open forert. the ground being finite free from 1111- CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER i 1908 *1 ti.iber, and covered . i.i it of Ih .in whi h IK? 112; . auk it ; '!■■ =s!.v. Then we ; ...' : '.her It.' \< r .aeadow, which offered tine ft id I".>r the ponies. On iis edge we ha- ii _■ pHcheif camp, just at da. i . , ~'e (: d down the packs iu a d:.v r-.ve, < lose to the brook, and tin" I'd lit.' tired ponies loose In th;> tnead'.w. hobbling the little mare that carried the bell. The ground was smooth. We threw a cross-pole from one to the oilier of two young spruces, which happened to stand handily, and from it stretched and pepped out a piece of canvas, whi h we were using as a shelter tent. Heneath this we spread our bedding, laying under it the canvas sheets ln which it had been wrapped. There was still bread left over from yesterday's baking, and in a few moments the kettle was boiling, and the frying-pan sizzling, while one of us skinned and ctjt into suitable pieces two grouse we had knocked over on our march. For fear of fright ening the moose we built but a small fire, and went to bed soon after sup per, being both tireil and cold. For tunately. what little breese there was blew tip the valley. At dawn I was awake, and crawled out of my buffalo bag. shivering and yawning. My companion still slum bered heavily. White frost covered whatever had been left outside. The cold was sharp, and I hurriedly slipped a pair of stout moccasins on my feet, drew on my gloves and cap, and started through the ghostly woods for the meadow where we had seen the moose sign. The tufts of grass were stiff with frost; black ice skimmed the edges and quiet places of the little brook. I walked slowly, it being difficult not to make a noise by cracking sticks or brushing against trees, in the gloom; but the forest was so open that it fa vored me. When 1 reached the edge of the beaver-meadow it was light enough to shoot, though the front sight still glimmered indistinctly. Streaks of cold red showed that the sun would rise -en I'.efore leaving the shelter of the last spruces 1 halted to listen; and almost Immediately heard a curious splashing sound from the middle of the meadow, where the brook broadened into small willow-bordered pools. I knew at otice that it moose was in one of these pools, wading about and pulling up the water-lilies by arizing their slippery stems in IK; lips, plunging his head deep under water to <lo so. The moose love to feed in this way in the hot months, when they spend all the time they can in the water, feeding or ly ing down; nor do they altogether abandon the habit even when the Ills vast bulk loomed black. weather is so cold that icicles form in their shaggy coats. Crouching, I stole noiselessly along the edge of the willow-thicket. The stream twisted through it from side to side in zigzags, so that every few rods I got a glimpse down a lane of black water. In a minute I heard a slight splashing near me; and on passing the next point of bushes, I saw the shad owy outline of the moose's hindquar ters, standing in a bend of the water. In a moment lie walked onwards, dis appearing. l ran forward a couple of rods, and then turned in a.nong the willows, to reach the brook where it again bent back towards me. The splashing in the water, and the rustling of the moose's body against the frozen twigs, drowned the little noise made by my inoccasined feet. I strode out on the bank at the lower end of a long narrow pool ot water, dark and half frozen. In this pooi. ralf way down and facing mo, but a sot-re of yards off, stood the mighty marsh beast, strange and uncouth in look i.v. some monster surviving over from tin- PJioceuc. His vast bulk loomed black and vague in the dim gray dawn: his huge antlers stood out sharply: rol unins of steam rose from his nostrils. For several seconds he fronted me mo tionless; then he hep an to turn, sii.wly. and as if lie had a stiff neck, v/lien quarter way round I tired into his shoulder; whereat Le reared and'.ound ed on the bank with great leap, van ishing In the willows. Through these I heard him crash like a whirlwind fa - a dozen rods; then down he fell, an : when I reached the spot he had ceased to struggle. The ball had gone through his heart. V fed a *(£ Concrete Grave Vaults The "Bliss" artificial stone sar cophagus or grave vault made by the Emporium Concrete Company is the most perfect thing of its kind yet produced. It i 6 absolutely water proof, air tight and everlasting. They are positively proof against decay, insects, vermin, rust, or any disintregation, and will maintain casket and human body intact for countless ages. The old fashioned rough box in vited the immediate distruction of the casket and body by moisture, rot and vermin and the falling in of the grave. Vaults of metal have proved in adequate, they are not water proof and, subject to the moisture and acids of the earth; they last but little if any longer than the ordinary wooden rough box; what is the use then of buying an expensive, hand some casket, and then consigning it and your beloved dead to the dampness and filth of the earth without adequate protection. In no place is subterranean life more active and prolific than in cemeteries. Wood gathers moisture and at tracts vermii. brick and slate vaults constructed in graves are nothing more than substerranean cisterns or cesspools, collecting water and breeding vermin. Ages ago the Egyptians made cement vaults for their royal dead, and from them to-day, are being exhumed bodies in perfect state of preservation. Our vault is indestructable, its great weight—over a ton —and so lidity, prevent grave robbing, and will endure as long as the everlast ing hills, becoming harder as the centuries pass. They are white, clean and pure inside, and our process makes them absolutely waterproof. We have been to great expense and trouble in making experiments in this product and now have it as near perfect as possible. We furnish everything complete placed in position in grave, cemented and sealed in perfect condition. Emporium Concrete Co. WM. HAGKENBERG'S Fire Insurance Agency EMPORIUM, I»A. SAVE MONEY. Insure your property in the Lebanon Mutual Ins. Co. This Company has been in business for over 50 years and is very prompt in paying its losses. We are also Agent for THE WESTERN INSURANCE CO. and THE SH \ WNEE FIRE IKS CO., of Topeka Kansas, main office, New York city. The last two named companies are also good sound companies. WM. HACKENBERG, AGENT. CIOURT PROCLAMATION.— WHEREAS:— The J Hon. HABKY A. HALI,, President Judge and the Hons. JOHN MCDONALD and GEO. J.LABAR, Associate Judges of Courts of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery, Quarter Sessions of the Peace, Orphans' Court and Court of Common Pleas for the county of Cameron have issued their precept bearing date the 18th day.of July A. D., 1908, and to me directed for holding Court of Oyer and Terminer, General Jail De livery, Quarter Sessions of the Peace, Orphans' Court, and Court of Xommon Pleas in the Borough of Emporium, Pa., on Monday, the 12th day of Oct. 1908, at 10 o'clock, a. m. and to continue one week. Notice ishereby given to thcCoroners, Justices of the Peace and Constables within the county, that they be then and there ill their proper per sons, at 10 o'clock, a. in., of said day, with their rolls, records, inquisitions, examinations, and other rememberances, to do those things which to their offices appertain to be done. And those who are bound by their recognizance to prosecute against them as will be just. Dated at Emporium, Pa., June 12, ISOB, and ill the 132 d year of the Independence of the United States of America. J. D. BWOPE, Sheriff. | Old Reliable jj| Drug Store jjj jjj BARGAINS, BARGAINS, ffl J] BARGAINS, j{] Seeley's hard Rubber Trusses, j)J Ln closing out at SI.OO each. n] jJJ Cutlery, a fine line, closing out Ijj n| at cost. [)| |{] 100 regular 25c boxes pills. [j| Ln None better. Closing out at n] [jJ 17c each. ui j{] 100 bottles 25e size Cough and [jj Ln Cold Medicine, closing out at a] [u 17c each. There is not any S{] better Cough and Cold medi- !}j Ln cine made. n] [}j Kalamazoo Celery Nerve and jj nj Blood Tonic. A tonic every- ui JJ] body needs in the spring of the [S year. Closing at 65c the bottle f{] jj| Electric Bitters, one of the very U| n] best Stomach, Liver and Kid- Is In uey remedies. Closing out at ru fjj 35c each Lri pj Skinner's Wild Cherry Tonic, !r J1 one of the very best appetizers. Price nJ UI reduced from 50c to 30c. in [q If your physician gives you a[n ril prescription take it to Taggart ru £ and save one half on it. "j i L- TAGGART, Prop | The Bargain j i Store j | Fruits -- Vegetables 1 \ Arriving daily and going at X 112 the lowest possible prices. < } Pine Apples, j j Cucumbers, Cabbage, i i New Potatoes, \ \ Bermuda Onions. \ > Remember I am handling j \ Presh and Smoked Meats of all j \ kinds. Bacon, Hams, Boiled $ i Ham, Bologna. c | Fine Line Groceries j i Free delivery anywhere. > 112 Phone your orders. T.W.WELSH! 112 Chas. Diehl's Old Stand, West Ward \ l»co. J. Laßar Tabourettes. The Set to Set Before You ' • Is waiting for you in the shape ol a nice set of crockery. We are now showing a splendid stock of good sound Crbckery, every single piece warranted free from fault or blemish. The finfcst as sortment in the county at rea sonable prices. UllMkillg Ik J. Liiliiir \ \ X \ \ \ \ \ \ v \ \ \ y 1 /, i SECOND TO NONE ™ jf ADAM, y MELDRUM & ANDERSON 00. ' i 396-408 Main Street. BUFFALO, N. Y. *§ % & 2 - , • —— ™ SBlankets; 4 % h I p I OOK over your bedding 112, % I- supplies and if there is k <§ a shortage of blankets, com- % t forters, sheets or pillow cases % / the time to buy them is right now. We are holding a fi / special sale which brings all i '4 grades within the reach of § ,5 all. | - While Wool Blankets $ % ■ I / These blankets are perfect yin every way except that $ they are counter soiled and |jj y injured in window displays. £ / $4 Blankets - $2.50 *| y $5 Blankets $3 00 i /: J $6.50 Blankets - $4.00 / $lO Blankets - $5.00 j . 50c Grey Fleeced Blank -7 ets 39c | < 85c Grey Fleeced Blank- < | ets - 50c | / SI.OO Grey Fieeced Blank- % 112 ets 75c ft < $1 50 Grey Fleeced Blank- ✓ ets - - SI.OO | < / $1.50 Grey or Tan Felted / / Blankets - $1.25 y Railroad Fares Refunded | v We refund your railroad % / ' & fares according to the rules p of the Chamber of Com- >J, >1 merce. ■s. % fy / We prepay mail, freight >5 or express charges on goods p 'y to nearby points. | ADAM, | MELDRUM & | ANDERSON CO. American Block, Buffalo, N.V. \x\\v \ \ ,\ Merchant Tailoring _____ _ I Fall Stock has arrived in all popular shades. Brown and Elephant Gray are the leaders of this season. . Call and look them over Theo. Haberstock 3IMS. M. F. Conway Has removed from Broad Street and is now loc ate on Fourth .Street, opposite the Odd Fellows Block, where she will continue to serve her customers with Home-made Bread Cookies and any thing in the Bak ing line made to order. — Mrs. M. F. Conway, |
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers