438 



RECREATION. 



and Ambrose, shared the cowpuncher's be- 

 lief, so the deception was complete. After 

 we skinned the boar it was suggested that 

 I go back to camp, have my scratches fixed 

 up, and get some clothes on. Really I was 

 in anything but presentable trim, even for 

 that sparsely settled country. 



I did not ride Kate back ; I walked, lead- 

 ing her by the bridle. She was perfectly 

 docile and looked a picture of equine gen- 

 tleness. Arriving at camp, the old Mexi- 

 can whom we had left in charge was near- 

 ly scared into a fit by my bloody and tat- 

 tered appearance. About dark the party re- 

 turned with 2 more skins and a buck. Over 

 our toddy that night the boys often referred 

 in words of praise to my riding. Buck 

 mentioned that old man Johnston, when 

 alive, always used that mare to hunt hogs 



with, but of late nobody rode her except 

 the women folks. Not once, however, did 

 they associate this fact with the success I 

 achieved. 



Next morning we bade our friends good- 

 by and continued our journey. Buck's last 

 words to me were, "Don't tell them fellers 

 down in, San Patricio 'bout the way you 

 fooled me, 'cause they'd never stop kiddin' 

 me at the next rounup." 



But the story was told at many a camp fire 

 of the 18th infantry in Texas and in the 

 Philippines, where Newman and I indulged 

 in a hunting trip after different game. Yet 

 murder will out; and when the boys of 

 Johnston's ranch read this they will know 

 how much of my reputation as a fearless 

 rider I owe to Kate. 



THE FISHER. 



ANONYMOUS. 



The pehan, or fisher, as it is commonly 

 called, is seldom seen, even where abun- 

 dant because of its nocturnal habits. Its 

 home is in the depth of the forest or along 

 the sides of wooded valleys, far from civi- 

 lization. In form it somewhat resembles 

 the skunk, but its size is that of a large do- 



ANONYMOUS 



LOOKING FOR TROUBLE. 



mestic cat. It preys on hares, grouse and 

 other small animals and birds. Its keen 

 scent will trace a grouse to where it lies 

 hidden under the falling snow. 

 The fisher is much sought by trappers, as 



its fur is handsome and of considerable 

 value. In color it is a rich brown for the 

 most part, with a patch between che shoul- 

 ders of yellowish grey hairs tipped with 

 black. 



For its size, the fisher is an extremely 

 strong and vicious animal. Caught in a 

 trap it becomes the incarnation of fury. If 

 given time it will amputate the imprisoned 

 leg and escape. Such is its tenacity of 

 life and insensibility to pain that it is as 

 likely as not to return in a few days to the 

 same trap and repeat its experience. 



In spite of its popular name, it is doubt- 

 ful if the fisher ever catches fish. 



"We're glad to welcome you into our 

 family, Mr. Newmann," said Mrs. Starv- 

 em. "Our boarders almost invariably get 

 fat." 



"Yes," replied the new boarder, who was 

 not, however, new to boarding ; "I've no- 

 ticed the same in most boarding houses. 

 It's cheaper than meat, isn't it?" — Phila- 

 delphia Press. 



Poor old Miss Maden came near getting 

 herself in trouble last night. She started, 

 according to her usual habit, to look under 

 her bed 



Yes, yes. Well? 



Well, her bed at the time happened to 

 be an upper berth in a sleeping car. — 

 Philadelphia Public Ledger. 



