PUNCH" 51 
ribs of an old umbrella ; and now, upon the approach of the 
ntelligent native, I smuggle it into my breast pocket. 
If it were not trespassing too much on the space of this 
Journal, I should be pleased to invite its readers to further 
explore my little creek, and ramble along the track of the 
mountain railway. I could pilot them to where, in June ami 
July, the wild raspberry brambles will be weighed down with 
their burden of luscious fruit, and inorganic matter could also be 
studied in the fantastic rock foundations. 
We could visit the mines and return laden with lovely 
crystals of fluor-spar, cleavage rombs of calcite, beautiful hexa- 
gonal prisms of rock crystal, dodecahedral crystals of garnet, 
and many other specimens of interest to the mineralogist. 
In this out-of-the-way corner of the world, one seldom meets 
anyone capable of appreciating the wonders of the Maker’s 
handiwork. There are practically here but two classes of 
persons, the miner and those who supply his needs, or prey 
upon his credulity. The former, when at leisure, seldom moves 
far from a saloon or gambling table, and the latter class, as a 
rule, cannot understand anything of beauty which is not inti- 
mately associated with the sheen of the “ almighty dollar.” 
C. H. Walker, B.C. 
“ PUNCH.” 
.\THER said you wanted a dog,” and a shy, awkward 
boy deposited on the lawn a small soft bundle of fur 
on four short white furry legs, and then scarcely 
waiting to hear if we were willing to keep the little 
creature, he beat a hasty retreat. Such was our introduction to 
the new inmate of our household thirteen years ago. The day 
was May 30, the time five o’clock in the afternoon. We 
certainly had mentioned that when we were fairly settled in our 
new Vicarage home we thought we should have a dog, but of 
what breed we had not at all decided. However, here was a 
small, soft creature in the shape of a spaniel pup, just five weeks 
old, left to our tender care. Poor baby ! it seemed rather a 
shame to launch it forth into independent life so soon. He was 
a beautiful little creature, a thick curly coat of rich brown fur, 
with a soft white ruff round the neck and a white breast, and 
four short white legs and paws. He looked rather helpless, and 
nearly tumbled over when he made a few steps and reached the 
edge of the lawn. I suppose to his innocent eyes the height of 
the lawn above the path looked rather like a cliff, though it was 
barely three inches. We ourselves had just come from London 
and were not provided with kennels and conveniences for har- 
bouring animals. After fetching a little milk in a saucer which 
the pup seemed to relish, our next care was to find some place 
