A Hunting Alphabet The ABC of Drag Hunting

Excerpt

A is Ambition which leads you to buyA qualified hunter, the picture of pride,Of whom it is said, “He takes off in his stride.”This means he jumps you off with hounds in full cry.

 

B is the Beauty who’s learning to “go,”Who comes to the Club on the morn of the Meet,And says to the Master, “Now if you’ll be sweetAnd let me ride near you, I’ll finish I know!”
Benjamin Nicoll, Esq.—Essex Hunt (on Cocktail)C is the Casualty frequently metWhen a Ditch next a creeper-clad fence lies concealed;Also the Comments of most of the field,“For the man who lays drags with a butterfly net!”

 

D is the overworked letter so DearTo the heart of the Sportsman who’s riding a skate,Who thinks there is no one to open the gateAnd fails to observe that the Vicar stands near.
John R. Townsend, Esq., M. F. H.—Orange Co. Hunt (on Greek Dollar)E is your Epitaph, writ by a wag,Which reached you by post on your first hunting morn;“Hic jacet! He hoped to be pride of the QuornBut died of sheer fright ere he rode in one drag.”

 

F is the Fence “made of stout posts and railsFive feet”! You “sailedover it riding the grey”;But do not dine out on it often, I pray,For at each repetition the interest pales.
J. E. Davis, Esq., M. F. H.—Meadowbrook HuntG is the Gathering Gloom of Her Grace,The Great One, invited to open our Ball,When she heard that the Master had had abad fallAnd the Honorable Whip is to fill in his place.

 

H is the Horn of the Huntsman that soundsRather wheezy and thin to irreverent ears;But Ah! ’tis a music melodic, which cheersThe Hearts of the nailers who follow Hounds.I is the Impulse by which you are curst;To prove you have courage when fox hounds are “Cast,”“I’ll jam in my spurs and be after them fast,”It seems that the Master prefers to go first.
Drawn Blank

 

J is the Jackrabbit, running so free,And the Jar to the Master who sees that his packHave tacitly told him they cannot come back’Til the last of their fat furry friend they can see.K is the Kennels where foxhounds are kept,A visit to these is a part of the Game;’Tis a wise M. F. H. knows each couple by name,But whentheyknowhimthey say strong men have wept.

 

L is for “Larking” to try out a colt;How lightly he leaps from the paddock or pen,But, once on his back it’s a question of whenHe will lie down or roll on you, buck, jump or bolt.
A Few of the Right SortM is the Merriment seen on each face,At the rumor some hunting man offers to sell“Thepickof the stable, because he can’t tellIf he’s going abroad for a season to race.”

 

N is the Nag, “Nervy Nat,” who was lentFor your use by a friend when your own horse broke down,And the News, that was sent to your dear ones in Town,“Some bones have been broken and some are just bent.”O is the Opportune Offer you madeTo carry a flask in case of a spill;Then you learn that it’s equally good for a chillAnd most of the field of a chill are afraid....