Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

 

Patit Mall Gazette

     To the French country gentleman desirous of being stamped with the mark of officialism the ancient office of “Louvetier” presents the last resource when all others have failed. The office, however, cannot be obtained unless there are wolves, and wolves are not always forthcoming. The would-be louvetier has been even known to import a wolf or to rear a litter in secret, which duly grown, are let out to be hunted. This latter course, however, is not unattended with great perils. A comical story is told of a louvetier who, having reared some fine specimons of the race and turned them loose, invited the Prefect to be present at a wolf hunt. Nothing was found until, when the louvetier and his distinguished guest were riding home together, out of the bushes rushed a full-grown wolf, which rushed at the louvetier with expressions of delight which seemed like ferocity. The Prefect turned pale: the louvetier, with desperate resolution, drew his knife and stabbed the animal dead. “Bravo!” cried the Prefect. “A mere matter of practice,” said the other, coolly. “I know my wolves.”