Connecticut western news., 1890-11-12
GOOD JOKE ON THE BOYS.

GOOD JOKE ON THE BOYS.
 "Puu-pull! There's big snake ahead of us! A little stronger on your left oar. Pull, you beggar! Let's catch himl" cried Mr. Tom Johnson, hauling his trolling line in hand over hand and holding his head frantically to indicate the whereabouts of the reptile. MT. William Acornick, who was doing the rowing, turned bis head over his shoul- der and gazed ahead.
 '1t's not a snake-its a stick" he said contemptuously, but increased the force of his strokes.
 'sBoshl A stickl Who ever saw stick run like that2 A stick with a mouth on it, and forky tongue going in and out Boshl Who ever saw a stick racing along with wake behind it3 It's big water snake, I tell you! Why don't you pull2 Pull! Graciousl he'll get ashore if you don't"
 ssWell, s'pose he does. What harms he doinga Did he ever say anything against either of f-us2 Hasn't snake as good right to live as you or me2"
 "Oh, confound your chatter, Acor- nickl Pull! Let's get close up to him anyway. That'n be some sport" And MT. Acornick pulled, but with many protestations that it was a mighty mean thing to hurry up snake that wasn't doing anybody particle of harm.
 This was on Georgian bay in July, in the early morning of what promised to be broiling day, Mir. Johnson and MT. Acornick were the "big two" of a party of campers at Governors island, some ten miles out of Penetanguishene They were both fat and forty, or more, and both so fond of fresh fish that they got out every morning at ''sun up" to take few bass or pickerel-a duty that would otherwise have been under taken by some of the three younger men. But ''the boys" slept on, slyly calculating on the two 'old boys" turn ing out regularly to provide fresh fish for the morning pan.
 One of the most entertaining per formances of each long day was fur nished by Acornick and Johnson when they landed with their morning take. Stalking with the dignity of achieve ment up to the big sleeping tent, they, all unaware that ''the boys" had been "peeking" at them through the sides of the flap, would indignantly fling open the front and snort in contempt at the outstretched and blanketcoveredf forms.
 'sWell, of all the lazy packs. would Acornick cry, while the boys, with faces hidden, stuffed the blankets into their mouths to keep from laughing.
 'Lazyl" echoed Johnson "Lazyl They'd starve-they'd do worse-they'd eat bacon three times day if we didn't catch fish for 'em."
 '1t's a confounded shame" would Acornick protest, sitting down on the edge of his camp bed and wiping the precipitation from his red brow. 'It makes me sick to see young men with out any life in lem, any spirit to get up any feeling for sport Anglersl you call yourselves anglers! Poohl"
 'sWhy didn't you wake us up2" would Jack Burritt inquire, with yawn
 ''Wake you up! What wakes us upf' snorts Johnson.
 'sHot coppers," suggested Jack. "Gammon. I won't speak for Acornick, but who ever saw me with hot coppers. Besides there's not been a drop of liquor in this camp. Catch me bringing liquor into a fishing camp. No, sir. Perhaps we've got some to use as medicinep That's shabby in nuendo, Jack. What wakes me up thenp Why the sun, sir-the glorious sun-the burst of morning. The de- sire to salute the day. Oh, to watch the mists as they drift and linger-to gaze far into the purple distance-to behold the rose of dawn" "Chariot of Phebus ascending," sug. gests Jack.
 'The morning, sir, is the quintes- sence of the day." puts in Acornick. 'It is the day. By the time you get uI the dregs only are left. The sky is z monotony of blue. The sun glares il anger at the sluggard- l say, what dc you three fellows come out camping for, anyhow2"
 'sTo hear you two fat fellows poetiz ing" says Jack, Ito hear you blow about getting up-as if anybody couldn't get up! It makes you loof unlike yourselves positively virtuous- for an hour or so every forenoon" "Turn out of this, you abusive young dog" cries Acornick, seizing the lel nearest him, and then, with muc1 tumbling, kicking and laughter, thu ''oId boys" would haul ''the boysn ou of the tent. There the morning flsl lay in beauty side by side on the brow1 rock Then came the congratulation that constituted the old boys reward that swelled their stout chests witt pride and sent them out next morning rain or shine, to win the praise the affected to despise.
 5 Turning again to look at the makf Acoenick suddenly put all his strengt iu4o his stxuksA and the cedar ak* Anlx 4av- iA ta1. k1yR N