The Eluegrass Claims Its Own 



chaps away from the mysteries that 

 cluster round that spot. 



In the earlier days real muskrats and 

 woodchucks were to be seen at rare 

 intervals working around that dam. 

 They are gone now, but what boy who 

 had ever seen them there could ever 

 forget it or ever dismiss the idea wholly 

 from his mind that they are probably 

 in hiding somewhere still, and that by 

 waiting and watching patiently enough 

 the little furry creatures will sooner or 

 later be seen again in their former 

 haunts? The truth is I haven't the 

 heart to drive those boys away from 

 this fascinating nook when I see them 

 enjoying to the utmost its forbidden 

 precincts. On the contrary, I am often 

 sorely tempted to stop and join them in 

 their explorations or meditations. The 

 noisy bluejays are busy in the branches 

 overhead, tiny wavelets are breaking 

 against the face of the retaining wall, 

 unknown forms of life lurk underneath 

 the surface, and a rabbit hurries by. 



[41] 



