Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-02-18


At 4 shsrt distance " came % The
spot where the valley broadened out
and the little grove Of trees had found
. It's place of shelter from Chinook
winds in winter and sprairie fres in
spring and fall. The air was full Of
the sweet scent Of bursting willow
buds and balm-o'- Gilead, and as we
picked our steps as noisefessly as we
could the slightly stirring limbs above
US wrought their dark tracery against
the blue and starry heaven.
"Oh. Frank You never told me Of
thisl How wonderful
"Wait until you see the pond"
whispered, as one who keeps the best
to the last "We did not select Four.
teen and Twenty-Five without rea-
SON."
There was no path between the slim,
close growing trunks Of poplar and
balm. and we had to make progress
as best we could. Jack and
Marjorie had fallen considerably be-
hind.
Then. suddenly, the still waters of
the pond burst upon our view, and at
the same moment, as though the very
heavens conspired to set the stage to
the best advantage. blood-red moon
sent Its first pinion of light sweeping
down from the northeast and splashing
burnt-orange and ochre across the
slightly ruffied surface of the pond.
We stood for time as mortals trans
fixed, watching the great red globe
drawing swiftly into the blue above,
until its light painted Jeans face and
mine. In the moonlight her fine fea.
lures were wonderful, irresistible.
We were brought to earth by q fiut-
ter and splashing in the water. Two
ducks, sweeping swiftly down out Of
the darkness, alighted not a dozen
yards in front OF us, and directly in
the line Of light I drew my gun to
my shoulder, and even as did so their
murmured grumblings, sibilant almost
as the lisp Of water on gravelly shore,
came to our ears, and they began to
swim slowly about in graceful little
circles. There was even q motion
about the head Of the male, as he
brought 1t close to that Of his mate,
that was surely nothing short of Q
caress.
Don't, Frank, don't; you MUSTN'T"
Jean exclaimed suddenly.
Her arm darted out In front of me,
seized the barrel of the gun and drew
1t swiftly to one side. had been
taking q most deliberate aim. to justify
the high opinion already referred to-
but at jeans sudden interference I
pressed the, trigger. or, as I always
claimed. 1t pulled itself against my
finger. and went off, There was loud
report, and the sound Of shot harm
lessly flashing the water.
did you get him-did you get himT
shouted Marjorie and Jack, rushing
down upon US.
mo. didn't get him." explained
II didn't even try to get him. l Just
wanted to see how far the gun would
carry"
II wouldn't let him." said Jean. at
would have been AUST horrible
thing to shoot one Of those poor crea-
lures, the very first night we were
herel How beautiful they were, and
how-how loving" She said the last
word with bashful, falling infec-
ton that was wonderful to hear.
'It's much more horrible to have no
wild duck-ducklet I mean-for to-
morrow's dinner" said Jack.
And those cartridges cost ever so
much; what Is it?-three or four cents
EACH" Marjorie demonstrated. well. |
let's 60 back"
We returned to our camp and started
to make ready for the night. But Jack.
true to his promise, gathered up his
blankets, waded the cold stream, and
slept under the stars of Twenty-Five
We had begun our period OF resi-
dence."