Memories of Father. 



wrong end of my gun on -game unless compelled to do so in 

 self-defense. We had a pleasant and successful day's hunt, 

 taking home with us a fine string of pigeons and squirrels. 



This was our first hunt together, but not our last. As 

 long as I remained at home father was my first choice on all 

 shooting and fishing trips. Many a happy day we spent 

 together, tramping through the old familiar woods after squir- 

 rels, quail and pheasants, or following the windings of the 

 Maquoketa, after ducks and fish. 



When I located in a distant city for the practice of my 

 profession, I continued my early morning shooting and fishing 

 trips as of old, but missed the companionship of father. How- 

 ever, he visited me nearly every year as long as he was able to 

 do so and, at such times, we enjoyed several clays of shooting 

 and fishing together. The last time he came I was living at 

 Forest City, Iowa, and we had some fine squirrel shooting. 



I shall never forget that last beautiful autumn morning we 

 spent in the woods on Lime Creek. We got a fine bunch of 

 squirrels early in the forenoon and decided to return for dinner. 

 After crossing the foot bridge I made a snap-shot of father 

 before we took the short-cut through Mahony's Grove. That 

 was our last hunt together, and the picture I made that morn- 

 ing was the last father ever had. 



Had I then known these lines from Riley I should have 

 exclaimed : 



"Oh, the present is too sweet 



To go on forever thus! 

 Round the corner of the street 



Who can say what waits for us?" 



[17] 



