Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-23

| over the pushes ana now uecaylnB DS'
meath the boughs of the large trees. that
surrounded it. Vines grew over the
house, as they did over the little vault
and over the fence. The place looked
as though long years ago people had
ceased TO enter it and hopes and hearts
there were dead. Aud vet this was the
homestead of n President and here his
descendants livedt
Leaving the somber scene, we drove
rapidly to the river to Taylor's "other
house." 1t was tisherman's hut float
ing on tho waters edge. The unlock
ed door swung open at our bidding, but
there was no sign of man except few
lines and nets and pair of oars.
"He's running his trout hne," said our
Kentuckian, ''and we will have tc row
up the river for him"
He TOOK the pair of oars and we, dogs
and all, got into boat built with a
square keel and bow, and with labored
stroke We made our way up the Ohio,
occasionally hallooing for "Wal-ker!'
At last there was response, and making
our way out into the stream we found a
little old man sitting in the stern cf a
boat made of the trunk of tree and
Familiarity known rs "dug-out." He
was running ''troEt line" The Presi-
dents nephew was padding along this
line, lifting up hook after hook and
finding very few fish.
Our guide said that "Walk.> Taylor"
was one of the morst farmers in the
country, but one of the best fishermen,
and that he owned hound famous all
about for her exploits in hunting the
treacherous coon. Very little suf1iced
for Taylor's wants; he required only n
quantity of whisky and little to eat,
and the fish served well enough for both.
His friends supported the hound, Tay-
lor's appearance bore testimony to the
truth of all this; he was little, his hair
grew thinly all over his face, and had
that struggling appearance that. to-
gether with blossoming nose, n full,
weak mouth, q coat that did not tit and
trousers tucked into his boots. gave to
Mr.. Taylor altogether rakisli air. He
looked good-nntured, generous but con-
scious that he had nothing but his own
goou nature TO be generous with.
Such was Walker Taylor. His hound
was his counterpart on four legs. She
had an appearance of melancholy hap
piness. AS we rowd to the bank she
looked less melancholy and more happy;
and when once put ashore, she was all
life, and her eager step had something
spirited in 1t.
Then from the bank the hunt began,
the hound taking the lead, the terrier
following, and the disagreeable dog IN
the rear. Then came Walk Taylor, his
hands in his pockets, and the rest OF us
struggled along as best we could. The
brush on the bank of the river was
beaten through; the hound gave short,
quick cries that told how anxious she
was to find something. Presently we
left the river bank and got into the
interior. Then the march was over
field and fence-a long, fruitless march.
Suddenly the hound gaYe cry; she led
straight up to farm-yard, through the
yard to a number of buildings that stood
at little distance from the dwelling
house. Undaunted Walker led the way,
treadIng under foot corn, tomatoes and
vine, Just as they came IN his way,
Straight to q chicken-house he marched,
and there, outside the door, We found
the three dogs, all much excited. The
lantern was lighted, the staple on the
door was forced, and i'll we marched
1t was the work of an instant for the
terrier to rush up the side of the wall
and to tumble down again engaged tooth
and nail with young coon. 1t was the
work of another instant for the bulldog
to help the terrier, and in very few
minutes there was such a dust on the
chicken-house floor as was never seen
there before. There was also some
noise, enough to attract the attention
of the people of the house, who, armed
with night-gowns. lanterns, sticks and
shot-gu S. came to make an lnvestlga-
ton. 1t took some adroitness and
good lungs to explain amid the confu-
sion that au act of charity was doing;
kut when the lfeless body of the pre-
datory coon was exhibited the secvice
rendered was gratefully acknowledged,
1t was after this exploit, when we had
walked mile further, that our guide
said, Peter what have you in that
bag?"
else got de coon, sah," responded
Peter.
Feels very hard, said the master,
prodding the bag with stick, "and it
looks heavy"
eyes, sir, he's the awfullest, heaviest
coon ever dis child toted. He's old
coon, shuah: but Snlde was TOO much
for him-ha, la! Land massy, what
dus' dat pup raised"
What else is there in the bag?"
| asked our friend, not thrown off by this
Grafton of the darkey.
"Dey amt muffin else, sah, said
Yn 4