The '' 'Coon Hunters' '' Club 159 



AN OLD FAEMER AND ^COON HUNTING 



In these days it is usually the farmers ' younger 

 sons who go 'coon hunting. On pleasant Sep- 

 tember evenings they may be seen sitting on milk- 

 stands at farm gates, talking of the approaching 

 hunting season and incidentally exchanging con- 

 fidences as to where the best early fall apples are 

 to be found. Information about the best corn 

 patches is also carefully compiled for future refer- 

 ence and the merits of dogs as 'coon chasers are 

 discussed with seriousness and deep interest. 



'* Where were you boys so late last night?" is 

 often a farmer's morning inquiry. 



* * Oh, a few of us were just talking about 'coons 

 and things," answers the youthful Jo. 



'"Coons be hanged, there's not a 'coon within 

 five miles of this farm nowadays. When I was a 

 boy," continued the farmer, ''there were 'coons. 

 We didn't have to appoint a committee to receive 

 reports. We just went and harvested the ring- 

 tailed fellows. I've known me and your Uncle Jim 

 to have a whole row of 'coon skins tacked up to 

 dry on the north side of the barn. And 'coon oil, 

 why we'd have gallons of it every fall. But there 

 ain't no 'coons now, so what's the use of you boys 

 losing your sleep." ^ 



'"Coons, no 'coons!" pipes up young Jo, 

 "there's 'coons right in our bush and just as soon 

 as the corn gets right we're going to get them." 



"All right, Joey, all right, bring on your 



