The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-05
WINNING THE COOK.
How Sportsman Won the Good Ora
ces of the Queen of the Kitchen.

Lewis Hopkins in Forest and Stream
My hunt was not over yet, however. for
few moments thereafter hickory tree
doomed up just ahead, and 1t seemed to be
full of squirrels Ten, at least, l thought,
and would think so yet had not approach
ed, killed and bagged them every one, and
found the grand total two. They were
thrashing down nuts like a pair of town
boys with bushel sacks to fill, and let me
walk right up to the tree before they de-
sisted.
The first one gave me no trouble, but the
second got into the thick leaves and cost
me three cartridges, sent as range finders,
before he developed. 1 was now six squir-
rels to the good, and Old Sol was not chin
high over the eastern horizon.
Not over an hour and a half had elapsed
since I had awakened, with the sense of
freedom that always comes to the enthu-
siastic sportsman whose vacations are few
and far between. Reaching the edge of the
woods / found my self in the rear of the
house, and concluded to go in by way of
the back gate in hopes of seeing Aunt
Ellen as l passed the kitchen Two boys
were at the woodpile working out enough
wood to get breakfast
One was chopping, while the other sat on
a log waiting until there was armful to
carry in. The average boy will never pre-
pare more wood than enough for immediate
necessities, unless closely looked after.
He will chance having to dig wood from
under three feet of snow in the morning
rather than chop a double quantity the
night before. To my Good morning, boys"
they both replied respectfully. The chop
per then said: HAS you been after de
SOULS, Suh@
l replied in the affirmative. Fright smaht
of dem in de woods, Subj did you see
many?"
1 replied that I had seen six.
My questioner paused a moment as I
moved slowly off, as though fearing to en-
barrass me, but his curiosity overcame his
scruples. SO he said, .tHow many of ,em
did you git, Subj"
As Intentionally hesitated a moment be-
fore replying, for the purpose of dramatic
effect, the kind-hearted fellow looked as
though he was sorry that he had asked the
question of me, fearing that had failed
to bag any game.
When L finally answered, "All SIX" his
first look was of profound surprise,
Whlch shortly ged to one of increduli-
ty.
But his politencss stood the strain, and
he replied: You got 'em all six? You
didn let nary one git away? Well, sub!
Sholy you mus have a s'archin gum"
and added his companion know how
politeness was struggling with their doubts
TO accept my statement, and therefore was
not surprised when they both grabbed up
a few sticks of wood and followed me to
the Kitchen where they hung around until
they had ocular demonstration of the truth
of my story.
Aunt Ellen was moving around in the kit
cnen, Just beginning her preparations for
the family breakfast. AS she heard my ap-
proach she came to the door. Good morn
ing Aunt Ellen" l said.
Good mawnin' suh," she replied. and
added quickly, How you know my name?"
How do l know your name, Aunt Ellen?
why, L have known your name and much
about you for a long time. Miss Lady often
tells me about you in the letters she writes
me, and she told me how glad she would
be to get back to you when she started
down here on this visit. l feel like l had
known you for a long time"
During this rather long speech, Aunt FL
len was looking me over right carefully
from head to foot in a furtive manner.
When 1 concluded she was silent for a
moment and then said:
Did Mis- Lady RELY write in a lettah
bout me, Subj"
"she did, Aunt Ellen, several times" I
replied.
where you bin. suh?" she suddenly
asked.
I told her.
Did you git any squils, sub? Mis- Lady
mightyfon' of squls''
For reply reached in a pocket and pulled
out a squirrel and handed it to her.
Now, OATS nice, fat squi'l," she said
I handed her another one
Two" she cried. dat sho is fine"
drew out another
Three" she almost shouted "why, dat's
enough for a Brunswic' stu"
When the fourth appeared she seemed too
surprised for further speech, and SIM
ply calculated, DE good land sakesr'
She looked on in silence when the fifth
and sixth squirrel appeared, and then see
ing that my pockets Were empty, she broke
forth into speech again.
'Why, where has you dun bin to, sub, to
git all dem nice fat SOULS, an hit not sun
up hardly yit. Why, you sholy do beat all
de shootens dat ever seed Day ain no.
body ever come on dis plantation smart
enough to git six SOULS before sun up in
de mawnin. You sho mus be tied, Sub
Set down an res an lem me git you a cup
of coffee an snack to stay 70 stummic
It'll breakfus' is ready"
/ sat down on the steps while she bus
tied off to prepare the smack"
When she returned with it, I soon had
her going on the subject of the "Fohmost
families of Vuhginy," in whose inmost cir
cles we had mutual acquaintances; a SUBJ
ject that your real old fashioned darby.
male or female, never tires of discussing
eseeo essssosssess