TOM AH JOSEPH. 137 



forsake thy happy hunting-grounds for the halls of 

 legislation ? 



And now, forsooth, instead of "Joe, you Injun, 

 pass the net," it must be : " Will the honorable gen- 

 tleman from Peter Denis's Point assist me to land 

 this salmon?" 



But one thought affords me consolation in this 

 trying affliction. 



It was my boots that trod those legislative halls. 

 It was my waistcoat that swelled with natural pride 

 when the speaker recognized the delegate from the 

 Passamaquoddy tribe. 



Tomah Joseph, the son of his father who still at 

 an advanced age occasionally acts as guide, is now 

 about forty years of age, is himself father of several 

 embryo guides, and as 'cute an Indian as ever pad- 

 dled a canoe. To enumerate his several accom- 

 plishments in his particular line, would require 

 more space than we can afford to give him at this 

 time. In casting a fly I have never seen him ex- 

 celled, scarcely equalled. In mending rods he is 

 an adept. I think, after seeing him run the rapids 

 on the stream, Mr. Murray would preach a sermon 

 from that text. 



The flute is Joe's evening companion ; and to its 

 sweet music the dusky maidens and their haprty 

 partners move gayly in the merry dance, or the tired 



