The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-07-15
~Children's Column.
CLEVER MR. FOX.
How he Fishsd and Hunted.

- LhC
- hunting from morning till night,
"A often through the night, too, try
.og to get them enough to eat. But
'.U,etimes luck was against him, and
Sau and then Mrs. Fox complained
hat he was letting the children
sarve.
One day off he started, after telling
he little ones to be good and not
sorry their poor mother. As he trot-
81 along he reflected, "Now it won't
nav to go near the barn-yard again
today. They will surely be on the
nokout for me. And I'm not ashamed
n say that Pm afraid of the gun, for
7 can't dodge shot, no matter how fast
T scamper." Just here he came to
the river, and stopped to look at his
oun reflection in the water. "Pm
mite a good-looking fellow" he
thought. Then his attention was at
tracted by some crawfsh swimming
along the bottom. A bright idea
struck him. 81 wonder if I can't catch
some" he thought. He tried hard to
reach them with his paw, but they al
ways lodged the stroke.
Still he wouldn't give up. give seen
boys fishing with lines" he meditated.
why can't I try to fish with my tail9
It's quite long" So, very quietly and
cautiously, he dropped his tail into
the water, just above the fish. Rather
cold work." he thought. But soon he
got a bite. One of the crawfsh had
caught his tail with his claws. Up,
With a swish, he jerked it out of the
water. With a good nip he made it
let go. Then he sat down and quietly
ne it, smiling all over. The trick
truck him as such a good one that he
threw back his head and silently
hughed, till he nearly fell into the
water.
He recovered himself, and said Sc
hously, 81 must catch some more for
the children" and again dropped his
line into the stream. The crawfsh
nipped him ever time, and every time
he landed them successfully. When
he thought he had as many as he could
carry, he took them up in his mouth
and started for home. Mrs. Fox well
coined him and the fish with spark
Tng eyes. II hope the children will
Ike themI" she exclaimed.
The little foxes did like them very
much, and soon the whole catch had
disappeared. Now things looked a
little brighter to the family.
But still, you know" said Mrs. Fox,
that won't last us till tomorrow. You
must try to bring in something more"
So away went Mr.. Fox again.
Children are a great care" he
sighed. He trotted along the river
bank, hoping that something might
happen to help him. Finally he came
to the fshhouse. He didn't like to
approach too near, as the men we're
Eorking inside. But luckily he found
some stray fshheads which had been
thrown out.
"Ha, ha! here's luck" he cried, and,
capturing several, away he scampered,
h~urrying a little as he heard a dog
bark.
But while running along he thought,
Ii I take these things home, the wife
nay complain. People can't live on
ish all the time, and Pve just given
them one fish course"
He was troubled, and sat down to
reflect. While wondering whether he
had better take the fsh-heads home
Or not. he was disturbed by a party
Of crows flying above him. They had
been attracted by the appetizing odOr.
IF I could only catch a crow, that
would be worth while" he thought.
But how" That was the problem.
= have it." he gleefully cried, as he
nddenly spied a hollow tree.
At once he set to work and placed
he fsh-heads temptingly in a row be-
lore it. Then he hid himself in the
hollow and waited.
Now we shall see fun" he said to
himself, and chuckled over his clever
plan.
The crows kept circling about the
Spot, attracted yet fearful. As the fox
lad disappeared, they became holder.
Inc first bird dropped upon the prize.
Vuck as a flash, out sprang Mr.. Fox
and seized him bv the neck. There