VITALITY IN A FOX.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 2209, 22 August 1910, Page 7

VITALITY IN A FOX.

I wonder if the foxes of the "good old times" are like our own forefathers, regarded by their descendants as of hardier stock than the present generation ? ■ I was turning the files of the "Public Ledger" the other day, and as far back as January, 1805, I came across a remarkable case. It is incidently interesting for the casual and emotional reference to the shooting of a fox, a heresy Xvhich at the present day always rouses a storm of indignation anywhere south of the Border.

This illustrates the different status of the modern fox, which, though harried by hounds has nothing to fear from the gun. Well, this particular fox had been hard run by a pack of hounds in the neighbourhood of Houghton, in Sussex, and had apparently lain down for a nap after its exercise, when some yokel with a gun came upon it, and emptied a charge of shot into it.

The fox hardly did what might have been expected of it. On the contrary, it got up and ran away, not, as one may well believe, very fast, since it was overtaken by a greyhound. It bit the • greyhound severely, and the faithful dog retired hurt. And still the fox continued on its way, until it was eventually killed.

There was a fox indeed. —London "Leader."

A countryman was enjoying his first visit to London. He strolled about the streets, and gazed with wonder and admiration at the shop windows. Soon he came to a lawyer's office, where, of course, there was nothing for sale. This surprised him, so he opened the door and walked in. In the room sat two clerks, hard at work writing. "What do you sell here ?" asked the countryman. One of the clerks, thinking to get some fun out of the visitor, replied : "Fools."

"You must have had a quick sale, then, to have only two left, retorted the countryman.

Youth (who is under the impression that he has impressed the waitress, who is looking absentmindedly at him): "A penny for your thoughts Gertie."

Waitress : "I was just wondering if you were a steak pudding or a boiled rabbit."

The following was posted up in a small country village : "Notice is hereby given that the Squire (on account of the backwardness of the harvest) will , not shoot himself or any of his tenants till the 14th of October."