7% 



RECREATION. 



clump of brush on the shore, that he knew 

 had not been there at the time of their last 

 visit. He wisely led the flock down into 

 the water farther than usual from the 

 shore ; then took up his incessant beat 

 around the band. 



Presently a yellow animal appeared from 

 behind the brushwood, and in an instant 

 every head in the flock was up. It was an 

 animal that sent a thrill through the heart 

 of Blackpad, for he remembered the inci- 

 dent of his childhood, when the first break 

 had occurred in their family; but this ani- 

 $il 



objects rise behind the bush. With a loud 

 warning, "quack, quack," he was out of the 

 water, followed by the less curious part 

 of the flock ; but the warning had been too 

 late. Bang, bang — bang, bang — came 4 

 heavy, thundering reports from the shore. 

 Then the flying, frightened flock, glancing 

 back, saw more than half the number whose 

 curiosity had overpowered them, struggling 

 from the spot or lying motionless on the 

 water. 



This backward glance was enough ; and 

 ever after, when Blackpad and his flock 



WlLMOT^OVWCEjta 



HUDDLED CLOSE TO HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BROOK. 



mal was larger and acted differently. It 

 played with sticks on the shore, disappeared 

 behind the brush, then appeared, and re- 

 sumed its gambols on the shore. 



Blackpad did not understand this, but 

 he was too cautious to venture any nearer, 

 and kept a steady watch on the flock, that 

 no curious one should attempt to solve the 

 mystery. In spite of his efforts a small 

 detachment left the main flock and paddled 

 slowly toward the mysterious spot. Nearer 

 and nearer they approached. Then Black- 

 pad, from his distant station, saw 2 dark 



were in the lakes, the appearance of a yel- 

 low animal on the shore sent the whole 

 flock in a swift whistling flight from the 

 spot, for a more secluded retreat farther 

 back in the wilderness. That is why the 

 guides of the.-; legion, who take sportsmen 

 with their yellow Chesapeake dogs to the 

 lakes, when they see a goodly flock of 

 black ducks settle down into the water, and 

 a lonely figure begin a slow beat around 

 the flock, will always say: 



"No, gentlemen, don't put out the dog. 

 That flock will not toll." 



Mr. Waunta Noe— Did your husband die 

 peacefully? 



Mrs. Berrymore— No ; he had 3 doctors. 

 — Chicago Chronicle. 



