THE BOY 



I. TAKE THE BOY 



IT is a hopeful indication for the future of field 

 sports that in several recent papers by sportsmen 

 the boy accompanies the father in his recreations, 

 to the pleasure and advantage of both. 



The graybeard thrills with the delight of long- 

 ago youth if his boy shows a quick eye and wit and 

 a hand prompt to obey both. He is as pleased and 

 proud as the youngster himself, if the son gets 

 bird, beast, or fish skillfully and honorably. With 

 this quick imitator by his side, he grows punctil- 

 ious in observing every law laid down by man or by 

 nature concerning the game he seeks, that he may 

 teach by his practice a reverence for such laws 

 and an obedience to them. The "pocket pistol," 

 too, is left behind, if it ever before was thought an 

 essential part of the refreshments. 



From too great familiarity, or from the oppress- 

 ing cares that added years often lay upon the elder 

 (and that will not stay behind), if unaccompanied 

 by this quick observer, he would pass unnoticed 

 many objects of interest and beauty here a wood 

 duck preened her plumage and left a many-hued 

 feather on the log for token; a water lily, late 

 blooming, gleams under an overhanging water 



