The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-08-16


MIltiadss Takes His Cousin Out Fishing.
One morning Miss Muslin was brushing her hair
when Mltiades called from the foot of the stair
To know IL his cousin would like 10 "go fishing"
Oh yes |" she cried joyfully, al Just Wishing
You'd ask me! just wait till 1 get my hair
parted"
So as soon she could she came down and they
started.
We shall be back in season TO have the fish fried
For dinner this noon-time," Miltiades cried
To Abiathar Ann, who had come ont to watch them
"Well, said she. "but pray don't brig them home
till you catch Them"
Having got to the pond, and at length found spot
That was shady and cool for the was quite
hot),
They baited their hooks (which we're made from a
pin)
With some worms they had brought; and then,
They sat down on the bank and, with praise worthy
patience,
They waited long while, with no indications
OF fish being there (; and, as one might suppose,
Their patience at length giving out they arose
Z" It's no use !" Miltiades said, with great spite
We might fish here all day without getting bite
But III tell you Just what will do IL you dare
Do you that small island that lies over there?
I've heard say you could catch fish out there by the
And think we had best go and see, my dear cousin
There's a skif We can get, short distance below.
1t belongs to the miller-but he'll never know"
So, Miss Muslin consenting, he soon led the way
To where, meath the low bank, he knew the boat
lay.
Pulled ii in, and the two jumped on board in jify
Miss Muslin sat down in the stern Sheets of course
While Mitiades CALAMITY took up the oars;
And, bending far forward, and dipping them In,
Remarked that he'd soon make the old dug-out
spin!
After pulling away for minute or so,
II suddenly struck him the boat didn't 90
Quite fast it ought to for there the bsnk lay
Right under the stern, scarcely ten feet away.
so he straightway began pulling harder than ever,
Declaring that he, In all has born days never
Saw such an old mudscowl aud yet. all in vain;
After rowing ten minutes, they seemed not to gain
Half that number Of feet; and at length, in de-
spair,
Miltiades rose, with furious air,
Unbuttoned his jacket, and ioosed his suspenders,
And exclaimed, with vow that was really tremend-
q should say, though, he uttered no worse word
than 'jingoPD
" That he'd very soon show he could make the old
thing gow
Then, resumng his seat, he again fell to work,
And for fifteen minutes he pulled like Turk;
At the end of which time, being quite tired out
He ceased rowing again, and again looked about,
When he found Notwithstanding his tugging so
hard,
That the obstinate boat had gained scarcely yard
" o dear |" sighed Miss Muslin, with growing dis
may,
I'm afraid, at this rate, we shan't get there to-
day"
No." Miltiades answered, in gloomy distress,
" Wen be lucky to get back to dry land, guess
I'm so tired and hot, aud my hands are 80 sore,
That certainly can't pull single stroke more I"
And think that they both would have had good
cry, IL.
But that just then they heard some one shouting
close by.
And on looking up, who, ON the bank, should they
see
But the miller "a merry old fellow was he y,
Who was shaking with laughter, and crying, Ho
no
1 hope you young people will have nice rowi
But you'll go rather faster think you will find
If you don't have that ftty-pound stone tied be-
hind.
Just cast off that mooring line, under the stern,
And she'll go heap better, you'll very learn "
Sure enough! Upon looking they found 1t was 30,
And they no longer wondered the boat wouldn't
go;
They united the line and pulled slowly ashore,
Feeling cheaper" / fancy, than ever before.
Then they set off for home, while the miller looked
after,
Still holding his fat sides and shaking with laugh
ter.
They too late for dinner-and as for the fish,
Why, fear they did not fill a gerry big dish
| John Brotonjohn, in August Vide ACake.