Fellow Arthur MacDougall, Jr. fan Greg Tuttle put together this great summary on MacDougall’s book “Dud Dean and the Enchanted”. Many thanks to Greg for the article and cover photo contribution.
“Dud Dean and the Enchanted“, published in 1954, was Arthur Macdougall’s 10th book and his 3rd book put out by Falmouth Publishing. It marked Macdougall’s return to the Dud Dean stories with 10 previously unpublished stories including such imaginative titles as Jippypop, Zoromaster Sayeth, The Jordan is a Dirty Brook, and Silver Mayflies. The titles of his stories are no less unique than the stories themselves.
Who is Dud Dean? – In the first story Macdougall tries to answer the question that every fan and reader wanted to know. Throughout the years people thought Dud was real. People would write letters to him and go as far as showing up in Bingham to look him up in hopes of hiring him on as a guide. It turns out that Dud was a composite of Macdogall’s friends and “old time neighbors”, simply put Dud Dean is all of us at our best. I think no higher compliment can be paid to his friends and neighbors.
Dud Dean and the Enchanted- In this story Dud guides a honeymoon couple into the Upper Enchanted Country in search of the white lady’s slipper (a rare Maine orchid) and for trout, in that order. Dud returns to the Enchanted after 50 years and finds things pretty much unchanged. It is a beautiful story told mostly from the bride’s point of view which gives the reader a different perspective. The scene where Dud shows the couple some giant trout under the moonlight is so well written it gives the reader the impression of being there beside Dud.
The Remarkable General Spots– This is a hilarious story about raccoon hunting and a coon dog who didn’t care who he bit. Dud’s taciturn friend Mat Markham buys a coon hound on a trial basis hoping to make some money, since raccoons were so plentiful that year. The day the dog arrives he takes him hunting along with Dud and Doc Brownin’, who at first threatens to shoot the dog but shortly after offers to buy him. Full of action and atmosphere, this is one of Macdougall’s funniest stories.
Silver Mayflies– Dud comes across a map of a remote pond, drawn by a friend who said it was full of trout. Dud has a prophetic dream about the pond and is determined to find it to add it to his list of little mountain ponds. He finds it and catches one huge trout, visits it a few more times that summer and doesn’t find any other trout. This story is a masterpiece and has always been one of my favorites.
The Skunk King– Misty Spinney is considered the skunk king. He, Dud, Mat Markam and a dog named Slop go night hunting for skunks. Misty considers skunks man’s best friend and hates to kill them so he takes them live. He and Slop have a method in which the dog sort of hypnotizes the skunk while Misty swoops in, picks them up and puts them in a sack. He leaves Mat Markham holding the bag, quite literally. After a life threatening encounter with a mad bull they call it a night. But Mat Markaham gets the last laugh.
Mat Saw a Ghost– This story starts out with Dud and Mat Markahm fishing and ends up with them saving a life. After sunset, Dud and Mat are sitting on the shore of the river. Mat sees what he thinks is a ghost, but it ends up being a lady trying to prove a point. After the ensuing rescue, Dud finds out she was somewhat reluctant to be saved. Dud shows a lot of self control and chivalry which ends up saving the day when her husband shows up.
Jippypop– In this story we are reunited with Bert McMaster and Bart Latcher, both from an earlier story entitled “Deadwater Doings”. According to Bert, the Deadwater region is being invaded by sorry looking tourists. Bert agrees to guide 3 hunters from away and their cowardly dog in search of wildcat. They find one but the dog isn’t much help, and neither are the hunters. Hilarity ensues. The group bags the cat, but not before they know the true meaning of how wildcats can play dead.
Zoromaster Sayeth– Lyman Ford is a sick man, he has kept is nose to the grindstone for too long. He is under doctor’s orders to go back to Maine for a fishing trip. He, his chauffeur and his wife (who is constantly quoting a guru named Zoromaster, which makes everyone depressed) arrive. Dud is asked to take him fishing but not to let him catch any fish, as it might over excite him. Dud does his best, but Lyman lands a nice trout, the wife faints, the chauffer goes overboard and the Zoromaster is nowhere to be heard.
The Patched Buck– In this story we meet Nunny Twimby, an old friend of Dud’s. Seems Nunny knew the whereabouts and the habits of a patched buck and promised to give his out of state sporter a shot at it. He ropes Dud into going and they hole up on the second floor of an abandoned house. They are interrupted by a musket toting character named Henry, who is looking for his imaginary red and white heifer. A case of mistaken identity follows.
The Jordan is a Dirty Brook– This story is mostly a philosophical piece. After an evening of fishing, Dud is reminiscing about the old days. He tells of a soldier who is on leave. Before being sent half way around the world, he wants to go fishing in someplace he knows well. Time slips away, he is considered A.W.O.L., but the higher ups understand it seems they are all fishermen, too. The soldier represents all of us, how a man must know and love his home waters, whether it be pond, lake, river or a dirty brook.
Dud Dean and the Enchanted is a wonderful book that should be considered as the best of Macdougall’s writings, bringing Dud Dean up to legendary status. After reading this book you will realize the genius that was Arthur Macdougall. Before the days of the internet it was always considered a scarce book, but now it is available and well worth the price. There was also a deluxe version of 300 copies that were signed and numbered, with colored plates, that is seldom seen, let alone for sale.
This title was also issued in a limited edition of 300 copies with color plates by Leon Tebbetts. A copy is listed on ABEbooks.