The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-24

Now that the roagh wdrk u Di6iAng
the garden was over Mrs. Weston
claimed that and the chickens and tive
pigs and the COW IS her special prov
ince. assisted by Annie. The out of
doors exercise was good for both Of
them, and they looked healthier and
happier than Joe had ever seen them
before.
The meals used to be silent, gloomy
occasions where each one finished and
left as soon as possible: now when the
family met 1t was a joyous occasion,
and each one seemed to have some
thing amusing and cheerful to tell.
Son, aren't you going to take rest
day after tomorrow asked his mother
one day In mfd.June.
well, | could; everything is getting
along nicely and won't need another
working until next week. What's upT
Its your birthday. and your father
holiday Of It"
II declare, | have been so busy for
got I'll" laughed Joe.
II didn't" said his mother.
The subject was dropped, but on that
morning Joe was allowed to sleep until
O'clock a most unusual thing for him.
Then the wagon was ready. and the
whole family climbed In for day at
Magnolia Dell, some five miles distant.
There was beautiful large spring at
the Dell, which fed clear, small lake,
famous for its fish. Poles were provid-
ed, crickets caught for bait. and soon
the party was busy landing sun perch
blue Dream and rock bass frying
pan had been brought along, with salt,
meal and lard At dinner time the
abundance of fish was prepared for
cooking. Joe got three good sized
stones to set the frying pan on and
built fire.
When the fat was almost boiling
the fish were rolled In the meal, sailed
and dropped in. In few minutes
each one was cooked to crisp. golden
brown.
The dinner in the basket Mrs. Wes-
ton had provided was fine one to
supplement the fish. pitcher of lem.
onade made from the icy water of the
spring and favored with sprigs OF
mint from its edges completed the re-
past. partaken Of with keen appetites
whetted by the zest Of novelty.
After lounging about on the messy
carpet beneath the great magnolia
trees In pleasant laziness both Joe and
his father fell asleep, each with a bun
die Of fragrant fern for pillow. While
they slept Mrs. Weston and Annie
washed the dinner things. packed them
In the wagon and caught a pretty good
string of perch for the mornings
brea kfast. 1t was nearly Q O'Clock
when the tired men folks Weakened
from their nap
Come on, Joe; let's have a swim;
then we've got to be hitching up to 60
home said his father. Js
Down at the lower end of the lake
was famous swimming hole, with
firm, sandy bottom and q springboard
to dive from. Both went into the wa
ter at once. and after good swim and
brisk rundown each felt as II he were
treading on air when he walked.
Dusk had fallen over the land when
they got out of the deep shadows Of
| the woods about the lake. In the mys-
terious recesses of the forest little
| screech owl gave its shivering cry
again and again. The whippoorwills
In the distance kept advising the whip
ping Of poor Will" while Others In
sisted that they were Just poor Wits
/ widow"
Katydids were arguing with one an
| other that Katie did-or she didn't-a
never ending controversy. A great owl
In giant cypress tree among the long
festoon of gray Spanish moss wanted
to know "Who-whowho cooks for
you-u. ah?" Back in the lake among
the marshy edges and lily pads the
| bullfrogs began their sonorous chorus:
"Deep-very deep. very deep-deepr
"Not very. Not veryl Not very!'
i "Jug-er-rum! .Jug-er-rum! Jug
er-rumr'
| "Deep-so deep-deep"
Myrlads OF great cleaning tirefiies
danced in the denser shades. In the
east. as the wagon rolled beyond the
confines of the forest. the immense.
rudy full moon hung just above the
horizon of field and meadow
"Oh, isn't 1t beautifulr' exclaimed
Annie and her mother in one breath.
| With the cool air Of night came
scents of woods and fields, the odors OF
wild flowers, of growing things. The
air here became heavy with the per
fume of yellow jasmine; farther on
the scent of magnolia blossoms. Sud
denly from high above them food OF
ripping melody seemed to make the
moonbeams vibrate.
THE hooking bird!' cried Joe. Its
| the sweetest music in the world, for il
! is the best of the songs of all the Other
birds. improved by the mocking bird
himselfr'
The joyous rascal seemed to hover
| above them In the enchanted silvery
radiance, for as the wagon rolled in the
! gate Mt home the liquid notes Of the
sweetest songster of the south followed
family, as If in echo TO the memory OF
perfect day.
/ Ioa'a fnurs n GRO .sfnrrn" vvas NOW on.