Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-05
ard work clearip' s mex a home.-

hard work clearip' mex home.'
was getting too sleepy for further
talk. He made his way from field to
field, stopping sometimes to look of Mt
the distant mountains and then Mt the
sky or to whack the dry stalks Of null
len with his cane. remember he let
down some bars after long walk and
stepped into smooth roadway. lie
stood resting little while. his basket on
the top bar. and then the moon Tint
had been watching went down behind
the broad rim of his hat and fell into
utter forgetfulness. My eyes opened
on a lovely scene at daylight. Uncle
Eb had laid me on n messy knoll in
bit Of timber and through an opening
right in front OF us could see a broad
level Of shining water. and the great
green mountain on the farther shore
seemed to be up to its belly in the sen.
Hello therew said Uncle Eb. Here
we are ut Lake Champlain."
could henr the fire cracking and
smell the odor Of sleeping tea.
I'VE Topped round like a 6sh in tibet
basket" said Uncle Eb. "Guess ye
must "a been dreamin' O. bears. Jump
ed SO ye scairt me. Didn't know but
I had wheat on my shoulders"
Uncle Eb had taken fish line out Of
his pocket and was tying 1t to rude
pole that he had cut and trimmed with
his jackknife.
1--WE found some crawflsh here" he
said. "an' I'm goin' T. try fer bite on
the pint o. rocks there"
Coin t git some fish, Uncle Ebw l
inquired.
wouldn't sayt I WINS or wouldn't
say't wasn't" he answered. "Jes' 60
in Z try"
Uncle Eb was always careful not to
commit himself on doubtful point
He had fixed his hook and sinker in a
moment, and then we went out on
rocky point near by and threw of into
the deep water. Suddenly Uncle Eb
gave jerk that brought n groan out
Of him and then let hts hook go down
again. his hands trembling. his face
severe.
"By mighty! Uncle Eb' he mutter.
ed to himself, II thought we he'd him
tibet time"
He jerked again presently. and then
I could see tug on the line that made
me jump. A big fish came thrashing
into the air in minute He tried to
swing 1t ashore, but the pole bent, and
the fish got fresh hold Of the water
and took the end OF the pole under.
Uncle Eb gave it lift then that
brought 1t ashore, and a good bit Of
water with 1t. | remember how the
fish slapped me with its wet tail and
sprinkled my face shaking itself be.
tween my boots. 1t was big bass.
and in little while we had three Of
them. Uncle Eb dressed them and laid
them over the fire on a gridiron Of
green birch, sailing them as they cook
ed. l remember they went with a fine
relish, and the last of our eggs and
bread and butter went with them.
Our breakfast over, Uncle Eb made
me promise to stay with Fred and the
basket while he went away to find a
man who could row us across. In about
an hour I heard boat coming, and the
dog and l went out on the point Of
rocks, where we saw Uncle Eb and an
other man heading for us. half over the
cove. The bow bumped the rocks be-
meath us in a minute. Then the stran-
ger dropped his oars and stood staring
at me and the dog.
Say, mister" said he presently,
cant go no further. There's reward
offered fer you an tibet boy"
Uncle Eb called him aside and was
talking to him long time.
never knew what was said. but they
came at last and took us into the boat,
and the strunger was very friendly.
When we had come near the landing
on the york state" side, remember
he gave us our bearings.
Keep t the woods" he said. "till
you're out O. harms way. Don't 60
near the stage road fer awhile. Yell
find a store little way up the noun.
tain. Git yer provisions there. an about
eighty rod further yell strike the trail
It'll take ye over the mountain north
an t Paradise road. Then take the
white church on yer right shoulder an
60 straight west"
I would not have remembered II so
we'll but for the fact that Uncle Eth
wrote 1t all down in his account book
and that has helped me over many a
slippery place In my memory of those
events. At the store we got some crack
ers and cheese. tea and coffee, dried
beef and herring. bit of honey and a
loaf OF bread that was sliced and but
tered before 1t was done up. We were
off in the woods by 8 O'Clock. according
to Uncle Eds diary, and remember
the trail led us into thick brush, where
I had to get out and walk long way
1t was smooth underfoot. however. and
Mt noon We came to slash In the tim
Der full Of briers that were oil aglow
with big blackberries. We filled oul
hats with them, and Uncle Eb found q
spring, beside which we built fire and
had memorable meal that made mt
glad Of my hunger.
Then we spread the oilrloth and lay
down for another sleep. We could SEE
the glow Of the setting sun through thu
tree tops when we woke and begaI
our packing.
well hev T. hurry" said Uncle Eb
"er we'll never git out o. the woods
tnight 3 bout six mile or more
Paradise road, es mex it, Come. ye