Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-12-03

Sne sald, slowly, WnaC the love OF
ones native country is. You see, I
have never had a native country. We
have always been wanderers upon the
face of the earth. But when one can
call a place like this ones home. 1t
is very different-the most heartless
person could not help being pa
triot."
And yet." said VINEYARD. what
wanderers we are. It has even come
to my being a professional wanderer,
you see; while Charlie Is sailor,
which means that he will never be
quite happy anywhere upon dry
land"
But still. It is something to think
of in your wanderings that you have
a homo like this to come back to;
that these hills will be the same-the
house. the stream, this old gray wall.
everything. Adonis knows what I
mean-do you not, you solemn old
thing?-
Hereupon followed an embrace
WulCu k1uOulS Ool0 Win 6ooo wv
but failed somewhat to appreciate.
II understand what you mean as
well as Adonis." observed VINEYARD.
with grave humility. Although.
perhaps. I do not look so solemn
about 1t as he pretends to be. l un-
derstand it, and l suppose I feel it
all; but the spirit Of the tramp is
very strong in the family. I am
afraid. After all. 1t would never do
to sit here all ones life, as we are
sitting here now upon this wall in
the sunshine, admiring the scenery.
If you were a man, know you would
not do It,"
II wish I were," she said. softly.
"Thank goodness you are mott" he
exclaimed. fervently. in low tone.
And then they sat there and said
never a word. while Adonis watched
them with his left ear lightly raised.
Presently the colonel appeared at
the open window equipped for the
fray, and eager to begin 1t. Instantly
VINEYARD became the polite host.
Tho two fisherman arranged that
VINEYARD should walk two miles down
stream before commencing to fish up,
while the colonel appropriated the
water Immediately below Broom
haugh. So they parted at the gate,
and VINEYARD went swinging along
the road at pace that promised to
mako short work of the two miles.
VINEYARD Mlstley possessed the
happy power of giving his whole
mind to whatever work or pleasure
he might for the moment have In
hand, and his entire attention was
therefore accorded this morning to
the skylarking C harmless fish.
When the youth and certain activi-
ty of brain, combined with a lively
heart and a hearty digestion. work In
unison, there are fow deeds within
human reach that are not feasible,
and none that are not worth trying.
With practiced eye and an untiring
wrist the young fellow cast his cum
ming flies on to the rippling surface
OF every likely pool. The fish were
inclined to encourage duplicity and
cold murder, for they invariably an
swered the call made upon them;
not only the young and foolish, but
large and burly fellows with mis-
shapen mouths and stout hearts for
an uphill fight.
While his master was engaged in
studies piscatorial, Adoni3 was grave
ly employed in botanical research.
with one vigilant eye devoted to the
inward swing Of the silver line---hiS
fly-catching days being over-he did
not forget for one moment the pleas
ant chain of slavery that hung around
his neck. and the spirit of shifting in
quiry was held in check by a stern
sense of duty. which forbid any
straying away. Occasionally, also,
Adonis considered it only polite and
respectful to take an interest in and
inspect the vanquished foe as he lay
painting on the turf, If only In con-
sideration of his masters feeling as q
sportsman.
At first the stream ran through q
level meadow, where the grass was
rich and green compared with the
scanty brown covering of the hill. 1t
was the widening of the valley, and
the hills stood far apart, as IL draw
ing back to make their farewell bow
| to the pleasant laughing water which
did not despise their aged company,
and frightened for awhile with its
smiles and glancing merriment their
grave and time-worn melancholy
| AS VINEYARD progressed upstream,
from pool to pool, by ripping shall
lows and stony runs, the vale mar
rowed in, and the great bare slopes
began to dictate to the yielding water
and measure out its path. The voice
of the stream grew louder as Its exis-
/ ence became more eventful, and the
difficulties thereof greater. There
were big rocks to be circumvented,
and to be laughed at when passed
| and gleefully avoided. Soon there
were little leaps to be taken with
| smooth curve and snowy froth, whero
| underlay the wise trout awaiting a
! chance worm torn from the broken
| bank little higher up In and about
| these variations of flow lay deep and
| +ropovil poplc Whpra the water ra-