82 FLY-FISHING IN MAINE LAKES. 



Such a charming morning, such an appetite for 

 breakfast, and such a breakfast ! tiny trout, mere 

 fingerlings, fried so crisp they were simply deli- 

 cious ; thin slices of dry toast with the sweetest of 

 butter; griddle-cakes upon which we poured the 

 purest of maple sirup ; coffee without the slightest 

 suspicion of chiccory, mantled with the richest 

 cream, no wonder that we felt regretful at leav- 

 ing such an hostelry. 



Next to a meal under one's own roof, where 

 your own and your loved one's tastes are known 

 and catered to, give me one like this, though served 

 in simple manner : let the cloth be white and clean, 

 the napkins large and ditto, the forks four-tined, 

 I ask no more. For me no costly service, no 

 elaborate bill of fare at hotel of 'high-sounding 

 name, has half the charm. I have tried both ; the 

 latter too much for comfort, the former well, I 

 hope next year may find us there again. 



Good-by, John ! may the winter's frosts deal 

 gently with thee and thine, and returning spring 

 bring with it renewed strength and vigor, and bring 

 us too, John, all of us, to this much-loved spot. 



"Deacon, those three top seats, remember." 



" Oh, they'll be all right ! no danger of any- 

 body's wantin' 'em at this end but your folks : 

 country people like the inside best." 



