Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09

siyly nabbing any OF them who foolishly
came I'm their way. In fact they made IL
a point TO snare any that might be caught
One afternoon while the river, the marsh
and the border of the lake were thronged
with these passing friends Old Coon went
forth to do what he could to secure several
for his supper He had thought OF way
by which he was pretty sure OF catching
several fat, silly geese, and he determined
20 try It.
As he picked his way down along the
river 70 the marsh, being very careful to
keep himself hidden from the sight of the
visitors on the water. he came upon Old
FoX's young nephew, who lived with his
uncle. IL was well known throughout all
this community that this nephew did not
have the happiest home in the world with
this uncle. He was obliged to do everything
about the lodge that Mrs Old Fox did not
do and in return for this he had the scraps
which We're left from his uncle's dinner for
his fare and the coolest corner in the lodge
for his bed. Added to all of this. he must
bear the brunt Of his uncle's I'll humor and
he was cuffed. scoded and harassed at any
and all times, lie was a thin, half-starved
little fellow. His scraggy brush always
trailed in the dust; his ribs could be easily
counted. and his sinking, cringirg eyes
were always watching for cuff or a kick
TO dodge.
Old Fox's garden patch was always well
kept; his corn. tobacco, beans and pump
kins always the very finest and he never
tired Of boasttng or this fact. That such
was the case, however. was wholly due to
the never ceasing labors or his wife and
bis little nephew. and not in the least to
Oid Fox himself He Notwithstanding
never neglected to continually admonish his
nephew to take care OF my garden patch -
Now. on this day when Cousin Coon met
the nephew the little fellow was lokking
and feeling much better than usual This
was due to the fact that his uncle had been
away from home for some time on long
visit TO the lake country. Cousin Coon had
Ia
nephew and had been kind to him on var
ious occasions. He had often taken him out
with him and had taught him many tracks
Of hunting and woodcraft He had caution
ed the little fellow. however, not to tell his
uncle OF any OF their trips together since
re knew that II would only bring more
abuse upon the little beggar II he did So
We'll. my little cousin" the coon said as
he came up. what are you out for today.
and has that uncle of yours returned from
HIS visit YETI
4 thought that / would try and catch
TWO or three geese as are looking for
uncle to be at home tomorrow Mr. skunk
stopped at our lodge last evening and told
my aunt that uncle sent word that he
would be coming within a day or two.
Aunt and l have Just finished cleaning up
ths garden patch. so came out to try and
get some game"
Well. now. youngster. you stay right
which. IL IL works out all right, will fur
nish US both royal goose dinner tomor-
row"
Thank you. Uncle Coon. your plans usu-
any work out pretty well, so / am more
than ready TO try this one"
As they trotted along together the coon
explained his plan They were to watch
for small flock OF geese that having eaten
until more than satisfied would be Idly
swimming about In the water not far from
the shore. or Sc IL their craws were
well stuffed they would be Just a little
careless OF danger. The coon had a long.
plant strand OF soft bark with several large
slip nooses IN It He would swim silently
out under the water to where the geese
were swimming slip the nooses over sew
erai pairs of feet. give a quick jerk, come
TO the top of the water and swim quickly
to the shore with hts tapping friends In
TOW.
His plan worked well. and after he had
successfully proved It, they went little
.Arther on and found another flock Of fool
fsh idlers They should have been flying
On to their northern home after having had
q good dinner. but instead. they were taxily
swimming around. carelessly Indifferent to
danger. The coon asked young fox II he
did not want TO try his sl<iil and the little
fellow gladly consented He was equally
Acccessful and swan to the shore In great