Dec. 23, 1899.1 
FOREST And stream. 
B07 
some parts of the world, but are not laid down in my 
geography. Then, although only three days are con- 
sumed in the account of the ascent of the mountain, the 
horse is worn oi^t with many days' travel, when they get 
up there, and tlie story don't hang together. I know that 
the eyes of wild animals reflect light, but I do not believe 
the eyes of a wildcat ever gave out enough to shoot at, 
tliough somebody once palmed a similar story of shooting 
a panther on to Forest and Stream many years ago. 
Altogether, the story savored rather too much of romance 
::and imagination for my mental digestion. 
Per contra, Forest and Stream has lately given us 
some delightful tales of adventure and exploration from 
the pens of Messrs. Burnham, Hagan and Hastings, 
which spoke truth in every line. I particularly enjoyed 
the account of the round trip to the headwaters of the 
Otttawa, and the Gatineau, and the one into the Adiron- 
dacks from North Hudson, and I may say the same of 
Mr. Talbott's 'graphic sketches of "Fishing Up and 
Down the Potomac," and was very glad to note the ap- 
pearance of our old friend, Charles Hallock, the founder 
of the paper, in one of them. 
I have not been in the woods myself this fall, but the 
reports I get from those who have are of the general 
absence of game, ruffed grouse especially, as come 
had an experience in that direction. I have unsuccess- 
fully tried all means of ridding my fly-book of them. 
The last time I was in London I fitted myself out very 
elaborately in the way of fly-books, warranted moth 
proof. I did not have occasion to open them for several 
months, until essaying to show xny outfit to a friend. All 
I found was a lot of naked hooks, without a feather on 
them. I am wiser now. 1 don't buy flies tmtil I want 
to use them. I find it more economical to leave them 
for the tackle stores to look after until I have occasion 
for them. 
Speaking of the iish tackle stores, wliat a temptation 
tliey are to a man to spend his money. I never go into 
one but what I buy a dozen things I don't need — am 
already provided with and never use. I can understand 
the passion women have for shopping — going from store 
to store to look at the new things, not always buying, but 
still wasting a good deal of money, as hubby realizes, for- 
getting that he gets away with as much with the nickel- 
in-the-slot machine for cigars and cocktails — ^Ire would 
not care to confess how much. This form of gambling 
has its fascination; in fact, most men are natural 
gamblers. 
I confess I never can resist taking a chance in a rafHe 
for a boat, a dog or a gun, especially the gun. no matter 
BEHOLD THE FOUR DRAWN UP IN LINE. 
from all parts of the Eastern States, although grouse 
were reported plentiful in the summer. Like all your 
other readers, I welcome the appearance of "Sam Lovel's 
Boy," and am also glad that that other boy, who was 
"Only a Boy," has appeared in book form. 
Mr. Spears must stir up that one of his up in the 
North Woods, and give us some more of those original 
.and thoroughly boyish letters. With "the compliments 
of the season," j'ours ever, Von W. 
S.A.N Francisco, Cal., Dec. 10. — Editor Forest and 
Stream: It is a source of gratulation to mj'self and 
must be to the readers of Forest and Stream, that my 
reference to the question of salmon has called forth from 
your well-informed contributor, Steelhead, such an able 
and instructive article in the recently received Forest 
AND Stream of Dec. 2, illustrated with cuts of the many 
varieties of that much misunderstood fish. 
Although I have been a fisherman for the so-called 
salmon for years, Steelhead has shown me that I have 
really been ignorant of the fine distinction existing in the 
family. It is a great consolation and comfort, however, 
to learn from Steelhead that although in most instances 1 
may have been deceiving myself under the impression 
that I was catching the true salmon, still, he has given 
the steelheads such a respectable character and stand- 
ing in the family that I have no reason to be_ ashamed of 
them as poor relations, even if somewhat distant. 
In reading the first part of Steelhead's article describ- 
ing their relationship to the genuine aristocrat, the con- 
ceit was taken out of me considerably to find that_ all this 
time I had been wasting my energies on an inferior out- 
sider, but the winding up of the article gave the fish such 
a respectable standing in the family that I felt consoled 
to find I had not been wasting my time on such a de- 
generate scion after all, and, thanks to Steelhead for 
such an indorsement of his character and respectability, 
shall have no compunctions about taking him into favor 
again, and giving him the benefit of my "distinguished 
consideration." 
I shall cut out Steelhead's able article, which shall be 
my vade mecum and carry it in my fly-book ready at 
ha'nd to enable me to give each fish I catch its proper 
status, and to determine w^hether I may be entertaining 
an angel unawares, or giving some degenerate member of 
the family a position and standing not its due. 
I have been disapnointed in not being able to make my 
anticipated trip to Navarro River up to this time. Just as 
I had made preparations, the heavy rains came on, and 
naturally producing a freshet and rily water, it was use- 
less to go until there was a subsidence and clear_ water, 
and that is what I am waiting for. and acting on 
Steelhead's advice, shall essay the experiment and trial 
of the scarlet-ibis, and also of the large double gut fly 
that Conroy made esoecially for me, that have lam perdu 
in my fly-book these half-dozen years, provided the moths 
have'not been less fastidious than the trout and have taken 
thera at sight, or, rather, out of sight. 
Moths in the Fly-Book. 
Speaking of raoths, I presume most fishermen have 
now many I may have hanging up that I never get time 
to use. Guns and fishing rods are to a sportsman what 
jewelry is to a woman— always wanting more. If he 
can't use them he can enjoy taking them down of a rainy 
day to oil them up and admire them. 
Next to a handsome woman, give me a handsome 
gun. Although there may be similar characteristics, both 
are liable to go off unexpectedly, without warning. 
PODGERS. 
Stubble Rhymes. 
PRELUDE. 
Let poets sing the valiant deed ■.% 
On Mars' red field where soldiers bleed ; 
Be mine to perpetrate a jingle 
Where shot and shell and game birds mingle. 
November 6th was bright and fair 
With frost and sunshine in the air: i 
To Cedar Lake the quartette flew — 
By rail — to brush the early dew J 
In search of quail or anything ^ 
Called game that might- take wing. # 
PERSONNEL. .| 
Behold the four drawn up in line if.: 
Where erstwhile roamed the lowing kine. 
While Kodak fiend, to earn his mutton, 
Draws the slide and presses buttton. 
Upon the right stands Major Gee, i .; 
Sure shot at birds — bar snipe — is he: 
(Freckles, couchant at his feet 
A veteran and hard to beat.) i ■ 
Then Colonel Bee, true friend in need, 
Attempts to light his neighbor's weed, 
(While Boy looks up to hear him say 
The word that bids him hie away), 
And smiling Alma notes the match 
That never had a head to scratch: 
(Below reposes steady Cap 
Readjf to hunt or take a nap.) 
Upon the left, a sportsman good, • 
Is Little John, not Robin Hood 
(But over Cash is drawn the veil 
Of charity from head to tail). 
sport. 
This stalwart beauty in the stubble. 
On ruffed grouse made a clever double, 
And Colonel Bee picked from the air 
Another ruffed and bouncing pair. 
When twelve flushed up by twos and threes. 
And flew for refuge to the trees; 
Leaving five to tell the tale 
Of booming fire and leaden hail. 
The Major from the woods below 
Emerged too late to see the show: 
His disappointment one could trace 
Reflected in the Colonel's face. 
When deep his martial ire was stirred 
By prowling cat that stole his bird. 
It was a sight for gods and men 
To see the urbane Colonel then 
Present to view a broad expan.se 
Of hunting boots and canvas pants; 
On hands and knees with searching eyeSi 
Retrieve the mutilated prize. 
In fallow field where June grass grew. 
Cap quickly stopped, Boy onward drew. 
Then Cash and Freckles joined the pair 
To form a picture striking, rare. 
Of scenes afield it was a gem, 
A blanket would have covered them! 
A forward step, of wings a gleam, 
And vanished was an artist's dream. 
And so was Cash, when for a race 
Mollie Cottontail set the pace. 
Of woodcock not a mark was found. 
Though beaten was the finest ground: 
Their failing numbers year by year 
Proclaim a long farewell is near. 
In sunny mead and shady wood 
The dogs ranged wide and stanchly stood, 
While bevies flushed and rushed away 
to life or death. ■ So passed the day. 
When homeward turned the weary feet 
The morning hours saw light and fleet, 
The spacious pockets of the four 
Billged out with quail and grouse galore. 
L^ENVOI. 
Too quickly speed the happy hours 
With comrades true in nature's bowers, 
Where winds and streams with music rare 
Fill sunlit forest aisles! The air 
From sighing pine and cedar gloom 
Comes laden with a sweet perfume, 
And all the elves of earth and sky 
Conspire to swell the harmony. 
The shadows up the valleys come, 
The ruffed grouse sounds the evening drum ; 
Afar the hamlet lights appear 
A shming welcome to good cheer. 
From heaven's dome creep one by one 
The silent stars : the day is done. 
Alma. 
Holumdays in Old Dixie. 
When de corn am out dc hvtsk, 
An* de' chickens roost at dusk; 
AVhen de '.simmons ripen blue, 
An' de ring-dove 'gins to coo; 
Den de holumdays hab come, 1 1 
An' we'll roll de harvest home. 
Whoop, niggers! Christmas comin'! 
I John Coona is in town! 
Let others celebrate Christmas as they will, the Yule 
log burns nowhere more brightly, and nowhere do mirth 
and festivity find less restraint, even now, than they did 
years ago among the negro slaves on the old plantation, 
■'away down souf in Dixie." With the colored popula- 
tion, as well as with quality folks, it is a general holi- 
day from the morning before Christmas until the close 
of the year. All labor, except the necessary labor of the 
household and farm, is suspended. John Coona, the 
clown of the tenantry, with his rag-tail retinue, is out 
in full force, and all draw heavily upon the generosity of 
the master of the house. "Yes, indeed !" as old Aunt 
Norah was telling a group of big-eyed children. "Yes, 
indeed, honeys! I does well remember dem times, and 
no mistake. Plenty of aignogg up at de great house de 
hull day long; and how de ole marse did enjoy dem 
capers ! Eberybody out on de front porch a-watching 
for John Coona and de procession to come up from de 
quarter, and all a-waiting for de address of welcome from 
i\.'arse Capehart. Yes, indeed! and Mistis Capehart and 
Aunt Sue wid handful s of shiny quarters and dimes to 
scramble for when de ceremonies done concluded. Well, 
dem was good times, too, if dey was slave times." 
All enjoyed the home frolic'; and if any desired, they 
were permitted to visit their kinsfolk and friends in 
neighboring States, and often a steamboat was chartered 
to go up river with a whole load of delighted darkies, or 
they were whisked away in the rail cars to their destina- 
tioii. At the Christmas-tide, in slave times, the boon of 
freedom was most frequently solicited or granted. Lines 
of caste were apt to be overstepped, and the master's 
family and servants made common joy together. The 
nicest delicacies were sent from "the great house" to 
the negro quarter, and Aunt Dinah or Chloe reciprocated 
hy sending back her best corn cake or chicken fixin's in 
friendly exchange. 
Day before Christmas is the great market day of the 
year in Dixie : a day when the negroes are wont to 
carry to some neighboring town for sale the products of 
their leisure or extra hours, the proceeds of which go 
into their own private purses. At earliest dawn there is 
an unusual stir in the chicken coops, and dismal shrieks 
from the pig pens. Big negroes, men and women, and 
little pickaninnies are running in all directions. Every 
vehicle, horse and mule on the plantation is impressed 
into service, and there is "mounting in hot haste," as 
the war poet sings, and hitching up and packing and 
toting, and interminable bustle and din, until at last the 
cavalcade gets under way. Old Sam leads the van with 
a four-muie Lynchburg wagon, carrying three or four 
bales of cotton. Then follows a two-horse wagon, filled 
with poultry and garden truck, with three or four women 
in gaudy bandannas of red and yellow, seated in the 
front. Then come two or three tirchins on horseback, 
with packs of coon skins lashed on behind, and a vener- 
able darky on a venerable mule carrying a basket of 
garden seeds, followed by a spike team, with the driver 
astride the wheelhorse, loaded with bags of corn, upon 
which several whooping j'oungsters sit astride, and in the 
rear of all a bevy of noisy children of both sexes, with a 
score of dogs of every breed barking and yelping and 
darting in and out of the woods in wild excess of the 
general joy. Never was party more joyous or light- 
hearted than this motley cavailcade as it winds through 
the piney woods and under the moss-hung oaks' and 
cypresses which girt the rustic road. 
