THE FISH-HOG'S DREAM. 



C. C. H. 



It was May and the dogwood was covered with blossoms. 

 When a fish-hog sneaked out where the bass had their lair, 



And temptingly cast for the mothers on duty 

 Regardless of nesting and family care. 



But even for fish-hogs the longest day closes; 



When the moon hung her crescent of silver on high 

 At his feet lay a bushel of bass basely murdered, 



And now all their children uncounted must die. 



At midnight, when ghosts walk, that fish-hog lay sleeping, 

 When a vision of horror appeared in his dream. 



Countless numbers of fishes swam by in procession; 

 They tipped his boat over and forced him to swim. 



They thumped him, they splashed him, tried even to drown him, 

 They bit him, they thorned him with sharp, stingy rays; 



Their cold, slimy tails in his face they kept slapping 

 Keeping time to their mournful, funereal lays. 



Alas! on the shore he must reach or go under, 



Stood an army of hogs all along in a line; 

 Each one with a voice of most dolorous cadence 



Squealed: " Welcome, thrice welcome to kindred of thine." 



" Alas! " quoth the victim, " now hark to the sequel, 

 That greeting was false as the highwayman's nod; 



They swore like his majesty's army in Flanders, 

 And pommeled me over the head with my rod. 



' They lathered me worse than did Shafter the Dagoes, 

 They thrashed till each inch of my skin was on fire; 



Then ' boofed ' with enjoyment and fled in the darkness 

 Leaving me in my sorrow alone in the mire. 



" I waked with the cold sweat of horror down-pouring, 



My heart beat a devil's tattoo in my breast. 

 I sprang from my bed and sat up till the morning 



Afraid to lie. down, and unable to rest. 



" And still I can see when alone in the darkness, 



That bushel of victims I murdered in May; 

 If I waken at midnight I see the battalion 



Of swine that came to me that night as I lay. 



" So I swear by the line, by the bob and the sinker, 



If for that I'm forgiven, to do so no more; 

 I'll read Recreation, become a true sportsman, 



The L. A. S. join and be straight from this hour." 



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