240 DUCK-SHOOTING. 
to open, branching off, in all likelihood, into the com- 
parative qualities of powder and manufacturers of 
guns, the President interposed. 
“This is a dry, serious, and solemn conversation, 
and as every member has already made up his mind 
on the subject, not very improving; who will volun- 
teer to tell a story or sing a song ?” 
““My friend here,” replied the unlucky, pointing 
to the lucky, man, “once intimated to me that his 
first day’s duck-shooting was the best and pleas- 
antest he ever had, but would never give me the 
satisfaction of the particulars.” 
“The story, the story, let us have the story!” burst 
forth the chorus, with delight. 
“J will tell it on one condition,” responded the 
party addressed: ‘‘that the gentleman who sug- 
gested it shall give a true account of his first day’s 
trout-fishing.”’ 
All hands shouted with delight at the prospect of 
two stories, scenting a joke in the suggestion, but 
the unlucky man replied, pitifully, “I will if I must, 
but there are more agreeable episodes in my exist- 
ence.” 
‘* Never mind that; if I confess, so must you. 
‘““Many years ago, gentlemen, myself and a 
friend had driven down on Long Island for a few 
days at the ducks. He was an old sportsman, and 
promised to initiate me, who had acquired consider- 
able facility with my gun, but had never yet been 
in a battery on the bay. 
‘“‘Tt is not necessary to say at what house we stop- 
