THE RUSTIC'S COMPLAINT. 



H. P. VAN ARSDALE. 



I've been a-readin' all about these here new 



fangled riggin's 

 Like that there city chap has got that's 



down to Farmer Higgins' ; 

 Of shiny spoons an' feathered hooks, an' all 



such useless things, 

 An' butterflies they make themselves with 



bright an' gaudy wings. 

 Now, what they want of all such things I'm 



sure I can't quite see; 

 Just common butterflies an' hooks is good 



enough fer me. 

 All I want is a runnin' stream, a cool an' 



shady nook, 

 A willow pole, a bobber, an' a common line 



an' hook. 



They've got these poles you take apart, all 



painted up so fine, 

 An' little wheels stuck on the end so they 



can wind the line. 

 These wheels has got a handle on, I think 



they call 'em reels ; 

 An' then to put the fish in, they've got 



baskets they call creels. 

 Now, what they want of creels I swan I 



don't exactly know ; 

 Why, half the fun is stringin' 'em an' 



watchin' the string grow ! 

 But they can have their fancy things ; all I 



want is the brook, 

 A willow pole, a bobber, an' a common line 



an' hook. 



I even hear that they have got printed di- 

 rection books, 

 That tells 'em just what bait to use, an' 



where to find the nooks ! 

 Why, I can go down to the crick 'most any 



sunny day, 

 An' catch all of the speckled trout that I 



can tote away; 

 While that there city feller with his tackle 



new an' bright, 

 Will walk beside me on the bank an' never 



git a bite. 

 So he can have his tackle bright an' his 



direction book ; 

 All I want is a willow pole, a bobber, line 



and hook. 



AMATEUR PHOTO BY E. F. COWGILL. 



STEPPING HIGH. 



Winner of 30th Prize in Recreation's 8th Annual Photo Competition. 



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