3 6 FLY-FISHING IN MAINE LAKES. 



ing of Joe's horn which he blows to call us to our 

 meals ; and, as promptness at the table so far as 

 guests are concerned is one of Joe's particular 

 hobbies, this is worthy of note. Speaking of Joe 

 reminds me that I promised in my last chapter to 

 introduce him more particularly to your notice. 

 Joseph is in all respects the major-domo of the 

 camp : he cooks, washes, irons, makes the beds, 

 builds the fire, makes the smudge, milks the cow, 

 feeds the hens, in fact, does every thing but " clean 

 feesh," make out your bill, and take your money. 

 In regard to the latter, I have found that a green- 

 back between your palm and his when shaking 

 hands with him upon arrival does not lessen the 

 cordiality with which you are received. 



Joe has some peculiarities : who of us have 

 not? One of his greatest is doing what you tell 

 him to do (an A T quality) . If he has a dish in 

 his hand, and you should say "Joe, drop that," he 

 would do it, on the table or floor, just where he 

 happened to be. 1 never have tried it, nor do I 

 propose to, for it's a waste of property, and there is 

 a sequel to it ; but I have seen those who have. 

 Joe has a way of saying " My God," which seems a 

 cross between an oath and a supplication, which 

 would be equally acceptable to a Bowery boy or a 

 circuit-preacher. I never could believe that he 



