Passaic City record., 1893-03-18

proved too much for his conscience,
and he dropped asleep; his pipe fell
from his mouth, and with its spilled
ashes, lay on the pages before him.
But the little live heart of fire, that
was at the bottom of the pipe, rolled
down the inclined plane and lodged
among the hairs of Brent--the dog
that was lying at his feet. Straight
way Brent jumped up with howl
that really made Uncle Sol dream of
GabricIs trumpet. Nor did the
dream end until he was awakened by
by Dick who shouted in his ear:
sUncle Soil Uncle Sol! there's a
silver fox on the ice, and / want
Brent and the gun; for haven't time
to go and get minei"
"a what?-a siller fox?" and he
rubbed his eyes, and added: "Ye're
daft, lad siller foxes are as scarce as
saints ~
But Dick insisted with such excite
ment, Uncle Sol fastened to hand
down the old Queen Anne musket and
the powderhorn and the shot pouch
that hung over the mantel. His wits,
however, were in a muddle between
his scruples and his natural interest,
and he said: ssBut We ken its Soon
day. an the commandment Gays:
Remember the Sab'-weel, weel, we
Gamma help it; siller foxes are vera
valuable, an the Lord will surely let
you of-if-if-you mex sure to get
che fox"
Brent, seeing the preparations for
hunting, made the house resound, till
Dick bade him cease. The gun was
already loaded, but with duck shot
instead of ball, and there was no time
to draw the charge and substitute an
other. The two boys started on run
for that part of the lake which joined
Uncle Sol's estate. The old man
hurried after, and, seeing that it was
a silver fox beyond all question,
shouted after them: elf We dinna
fetch him Til ne'er forgive YEP
The fox was nearer than when first
seen, it having taken course leading
to the woods at the Stewart end of the
lake. Brent began the chase at once,
Dick and his brother following as fast
as the glary condition of the ice would
admit, in the hope of getting near
enough for shot, and all the while
wishing with forty horse power for
skates, in the use of which they were
SO we'll skilled. Seeing the dog, the
fox increased his efforts, but only to
make his footing less secure, and
causing him to zigzag so much that he
lost much time.
In the meantime Uncle Sol, not dar-
ing to venture upon the ice with his
cane, yet growing more and more ex-
cited, got an idea, which he immedi-
ately acted upon. He hobbled up the
hill to the meeting house, where, just
as the minister was beginning his
second head, he broke in with
"There's siller fox on the ice, all
the meunister's lads are at his heels;
an We maun a. COON down an keep
the beest fra gitten' ashore. Siller
foxes are nae plenty, ye ken!"
The service ended summarily; young
and old rushed for the door and the
like, leaving the minister to follow, If
he chose, which ne did, and at no
leisurely pace either. Uncle Sol was
left far in the rear, saying to himself
with chuckIe: .The meenister hae
saved the maist O. his sermon for an
other day; an if his lads secure the
fox, I'LL be Draw day for him."
On reaching the shore his hopes
seemed likely Of fulfillment. The dog,
used to the ice, was gainiug on the fox
Notwithstanding his willy movements
Brent was the heavier, and when the
fox found that he was getting too
close he took a sudden sheer, which
caused Brent to shoot far ahaad be-
fore he could regain control of his
feet.
Dick had fired old Queen Anne, but
without affect, save at the breech end,
where she kicked SO badly that the
marksman was laid fiat upon his back
with bump that made him see stars
in daytime. Nevertheless things were
growing hot for the fox. The whole
congregation. minister and all, had
depIoyed right and lef. upon the ice,
o.l xxo,o x,oxx, o1oa;,,n T., xry;fJx n o,voJo