VH 28

[Old and Reliable]

I had some nice communication with Morris Baker just before the Yooper- we had never met, but he was planning to attend and bestow a few fine Havanas to his many friends. Alex and Jill were there, and explained that some family concerns kept him back in PA this time--I was hoping to see the 20 VH that was once the pet grouse gun of the late Burton L. Spiller- I am sure that it is in good hands with our friend Morris, and that he will use it and treasure it as well.

Did get a chance to meet Morris' friend and grouse guide from MN- he had a fine collection of German doubles, rifles and drillings as well, and told me some stories about his job with the MN DNR in killing rogue black bears and feral wolves--he just had the look of a man who had spent most of his life in some really tough country and had come out on top- sorta like the lines from the late poet Robert W. Service: "Oh, I have clinched and closed with the naked North, I've learned to defy and defend- shoulder to shoulder we have fought it out, but the North must win in the end"!!