1 62 



RECREATION. 



to where he could steady himself standing 

 on a big root and I brought the fish to him. 

 The line was tangled in the alders and I 

 left the rod on the elm while Dick carried 

 the big beauty up the bank and over to the 

 fire. The trout would have weighed a good 

 5 pounds, and I was sure there more like 

 him in that pool. 



It was dark by this time and Jim had 

 several grouse skinned and broiled before 

 the big fire, with potatoes and clean water 

 for tea boiling about it. In a minute or 2 

 Dick had th'e big trout cleaned and spread 

 out to the blaze. We were all dead tired, 

 but did not we have a supper that night ! 



Talk about trout fishing ! The next morn- 



ing we cut a pathway down to the stream, 

 launched our canoe and after catching 

 enough fish for breakfast, allowed the rest, 

 and there were thousands, to remain in their 

 watery home. After breakfast we em- 

 barked and went up river on an exploring 

 expedition about 10 miles. As we came 

 back in the evening we ran through pools 

 that were fairly alive with trout. We re- 

 mained in this camp 2 days, then struck our 

 tent and putting . everything in the canoe 

 ran down stream about 4 miles, where we 

 found an ideal camp ground, a high plateau 

 between the mouths of 2 brooks, where we 

 spent a week. Trout ! The river was alive 

 with them everywhere. 



HOW JOSEPH KILLED THE CHICKENS. 



W. D. GAY. 



Emil Joseph John McCrickens 

 Saw a flock of prairie chickens 



Sailing o'er his father's barn at early morn; 

 And he cocked his ear to listen, 

 And his eyes began to glisten, 



As he saw them light down in a field of 

 corn. 



"Now," said Emil, "something's doing; 

 Now we'll have some juicy chewing," 

 And he took his muzzle loader from the 

 hooks upon the wall. 

 "Now you bet I'll load her good; 

 Guess I'll use some Robin Hood, 

 And a double dose of leaden slugs and 

 ball." 



Now, Emil, don't you do it ; 

 If you do, I'm sure you'll rue it ; 

 And don't you ask your father to go with 

 you on your bail. 

 Do have sense enough to quit, 

 We won't pity you a bit, 

 If those prairie chicken wardens come and 

 take you off to jail. 



But Joseph he was raw — 

 Said he didn't care a straw 

 For all the warden deputies in county, town 

 or state. 

 Said the game belonged to them 

 Just as much as Uncle Sam : 

 Said he'd like to see a warden coming 

 through the garden gate. 



"Now, to kill these prairie chickens, 

 I must hit them like the dickens; 

 I must get up close enough to hear them 

 squall. 

 But how to do it beats me — 

 I'm afraid that they will see me, 

 So I guess I'd better lay me down and 

 crawl." 



So he sneaked up on his face 

 Till he came to a good place, 

 Then he poked hi" gun out through the 

 hedge and let her go. 

 When they found him, he was crazy — 

 Said, "Oh, take me home to Daisy, 

 But leave the gun and bristles scattered 

 o'er the snow." 



In his bed he lay and thought, 

 And he wished that he had bo't 



A repeater that he saw down at the store. 

 But his troubles were not ended, 

 And he thought himself suspended, 



For those prairie chicken wardens they 

 were thirsty for his gore. 



Now just take John's advice, 

 Don't you ever try it twice; 

 This shooting out of season surely isn't 

 worth a peg; 

 And as soon as he gets well, 

 He won't go about and tell 

 How those prairie chicken wardens pulled 

 his leg. 





