Published in The Waukegan Daily Sun on 07/21/1922.
English Farmers Glad to Contribute Money to Exhibitor of Dead Enemy of Hen Roosts.
    It is no uncommon sight in the country to encounter a poor countryman carring a fox-dead of course-in his arms, and calling with it on farmers and landowners in the neighborhood says London Answers.
    He usually conveys it to the back door and displays it proudly to anyone who will listen to him; then, having described graphically what a fierce and destructive animal the fox was before his death, he begs for a small gift of money.
    The custom is very ancient and is called in many parts of England, “begging the fox.” The idea is this: Foxes, especially in nonhunting districts, are one of the farmers’ greatest enemies, and the knowledge that one of these creatures has been destroyed-especially the female fox-is indeed good news to the farmer. As a consequence, should any poor cottager be fortunate enough either to shoot or to trap a fox, he carries his victim for miles round the countryside and displays it.
    He expects a reward from each farmer he visits and is very seldom disappointed. The gifts vary from sixpence to as much as 5 shillings, and one day on the road “begging the fox” can easily yield the lucky laborer 4 or 5 pounds.
    The skin is also, of course, his own property, and for this he can sometimes secure as much as 25 shillings in the market of the nearest town.
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