Reminiscences 



FISHING has been my predominating pastime, to 

 which I have given more time and attention than 

 to any other. At eight years of age, my father then 

 being a resident of New Orleans, I commenced the 

 gratification of this taste along the route of the Pont- 

 chartrain canal running from the city by the shell 

 road to the lake of the same name. 



I well remember now, after many years have 

 elapsed, the exciting joy I felt when with my short 

 rod and line I drew forth from amid the tree roots 

 and rushes skirting the canal the small perch which 

 I afterward fried in buttered tins by the kitchen fire. 

 They tasted good, as well as the soft -shell crabs 

 which I netted at the lake. And I remember how 

 late on Saturday afternoon, after school, I prolonged 

 my stay at the canal and lake until darkness came 

 on and how frightened I became as I sped my way 

 home at running speed, imagining the logs and roots 

 by the canal to be bears or alligators, which abounded 

 in the neighboring swamps. 



At ten years of age I accompanied my two elder 

 brothers upon a bear-hunting excursion in Texas, 

 where my action was a minor part, but which resulted 

 in the capture of two. 



At twelve years of age I passed the summer 

 near my birthplace in Massachusetts, where I spent the 



