The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-16
WHEN WENT FISHING WITH DAD.
by NJ. +. vANDYSE.

NJ. n. vANDYSE.
When was a boy-Im an old man now;
1ooG at the lines across my brow;
ola Time has furrowed them there.
NV back il bent and my eyes are dim:
Sc has placed his finger ON every limb,
Aud pulled out most of my hair.
But If life has reached December,
I'm not too old to remember
When went fishing with dad.
We would each of II. shoulder his part of the load,
And iOyfUlly start along the road
Bat dads was the heaviest share.
ont OF the village about mile,
over "a meadow, across "A stile,
And then we were almost there.
Dear old brook can see IL still,
The mossy bank and the old gray mil
Where went fishing with dad.
We would wander about for little space
10 find the contest, shadiest place,
Before we went to work.
Then dad would arrange his rod ana iinei
And tell me just how To manage mine
When the fish began To jerk.
If l only could feel as used to then
II the days could only come back again.
When went hshing with dad!
We armed our hooks with the wriggling bait,
Then seated ourselves on the bank 10 wait
And see il the fish would bite.
Som etimcs they would only take 4ooh'
As il they thought there might be hooR'
But couldn't be certain quite. ,.,..,
There was one old perch thar used to think
Would always look at the line and wink,
When l went hslllnB Win uau'
and so we hshed till the sun was high,
And Tho morning hours were 81 gone Dyi
And the village clock struck one
am hungry Jim, then dad would say
Let's give the fishes a chance 10 pay
Until our lunch is done"
Oh nothing has ever tasted 80 sweet
Aa the big sandwiches used - eat
When l went fishing with dad.
Then dad and would lac on the grass
for he ~
How happy ] used to feel!
And what wonderful stories he would tell
To tie eager boy that he loved so well,
After our midday meal!
To hear OF the world 50 big and wide,
When l went fishing with dad.
Fior eagerly listened to every word;
Aud then among men of whom heard
How I longed to play part
What wonderful dreams OF the future came,
What visions of wealth anu an hOnOred name,
To fiji my boyish heart
There is no dream like the Old dream,
There is no stream like the old stream
Who're l went fishing with dad.
Yhen back again to our sport we'd 90,
And fish till the sunsets crimson glow
Lit up the dying day;
rhou dad would call to me, "Jim, well stop;
The basket is full TO the very top;
IFS time we were on our way.
There are ways like the oil ways,
There are no days like the Old days
Nltn 1 WENT ASlllllB VIII '.d-
Then we took our way through the meadow land
And chung tight to his wriilicd hand,
A. happy as | could be.
And when the Cd house came in sight.
'Che smile on his old face grew SO bright
As he looked down at ne.
And no one smiles as he used TO sulc
And, Oh, il seems such long. long while
Since l went fishing with cad.
IT il way, way back in the weary years
rl,a4, .ifl lpnr
/ watched dad go away.
His aged head lay on my breast
when the angels called him home TO rest
H. Vas too old TO stay.
And dug grave meath the very sod
That my boyish feet often trOd
When went fishing with dad.
The world has given me wealth and fame,
FULFILLED my dreams of an h7nOred NAME
And now I am weak and old;
The land il mine wherever look;
z can catch my fish with a silver hook
But my days are almost told.
Jncheered 10y the love of child or wife,
would spend the end of my lonely lie
Where / went fishing with dad.
Ny limbs arc weary, my eyes arc dim;
shall tell them to lay close by him
Whenever come to die;
Aud side 10y side, it will be my WISH
That there 10y the stream where they used to Ash,
They viii let the old men lie.
Close 10y him would like 10 be,
Buried beneath the old oak-trca
Who're | sat and hshed with dad.
-H1rlcr,S Weekly.