Even Bobsey laughed at the idea that this was work; but I knew that it would soon become so. Then Mousie exclaimed, “Papa, do you know that the red squirrels are helping us to gather nuts?”
“If so, certainly without meaning it. How?”
“Well, as we were coming near one of the trees we saw a squirrel among the branches, and we hid behind a bush to watch him. We soon found that he was tumbling down the nuts, for he would go to the end of a limb and bite cluster after cluster. The thought that we would get the nuts so tickled Bobsey that he began to laugh aloud, and then the squirrel ran barking away.”
“You needn’t crow so loud, Bobsey,” I said. “The squirrel will fill many a hole in hollow trees before winter, in spite of you.”
“I’ll settle his business before he steals many more of our nuts,” spoke up Merton.
“You know the squirrel wasn’t stealing, my boy. The nuts grew for him as truly as for you youngsters. At the same time I suppose he will form part of a potpie before long.”
“I hate to think that such pretty little creatures should be killed,” said Mousie.
“I feel much the same,” I admitted; “and yet Merton will say we cannot indulge in too much sentiment. You know that we read that red squirrels are mischievous in the main. They tumble little birds out of their nests, carry off corn, and I have seen them gnawing apples for the sake of the seeds. It wouldn’t do for them to become too plentiful. Moreover, game should have its proper place as food, and as a means of recreation. We raise chickens and kill them. Under wise laws, well enforced, nature would fill the woods, fields, and mountains with partridges, quail, rabbits, and other wholesome food. Remember what an old and thickly settled land England is, yet the country is alive with game. There it is protected on great estates, but here the people must agree to protect it for themselves.”
“Junior says,” Merton explained, “that the partridges and rabbits in the mountains are killed off by foxes and wildcats and woodchoppers who catch them in traps and snares.”
“I fancy the woodchoppers do the most harm. If I had my way, there would be a big bounty for the destruction of foxes, and a heavy fine for all trappers of game. The country would be tenfold more interesting if it were full of wild, harmless, useful creatures. I hope the time will come when our streams will be again thoroughly stocked with fish, and our wild lands with game. If hawks, foxes, trappers, and other nuisances could be abolished, there would be space on yonder mountains for partridges to flourish by the million. I hope, as the country grows older, that the people will intelligently cowork with nature in preserving and increasing all useful wild life. Every stream, lake, and pond could be crowded with fish, and every grove and forest afford a shelter and feeding ground for game. There should be a wise guardianship of wild life, such as we maintain over our poultry yards, and skill exercised in increasing it. Then nature would supplement our labors, and furnish a large amount of delicious food at little cost.”
“Well, papa, I fear I shall be gray before your fine ideas are carried out. From what Junior says, I guess that Bagley and his children, and others like them, will get more game this winter than we will, and without firing a shot. They are almost as wild as the game itself, and know just where to set their snares for it. I can’t afford to wait until it’s all killed off, or till that good time comes of which you speak, either. I hope to shoot enough for a potpie at least tomorrow, and to have very good sport while about it.”
“I have good news about the Bagley children,” said my wife. “I was down there today, and all the children begin school next Monday. Between clothes which our children have outgrown, and what Mrs. Bagley has been able to buy and make, all three of the young Bagleys make a very respectable appearance. I took it upon myself to tell the children that if they went to school regularly we would make them nice Christmas presents.”
“And I confirm the bargain heartily,” I cried. “Merton, look out for yourself, or the Bagley boy will get ahead of you at school.”
He laughed and, with Junior, started for the village, to get their powder and shot.
The next morning after preparing a good lot of cartridges before breakfast, the two boys started, and, having all day before them, took their lunches with the intention of exploring Schunemunk Mountain. The squirrels, birds, and rabbits near home were reserved for odd times when the lads could slip away for a few hours only.
Our new barn, now about completed, gave my wife and me as much pleasure as the nuts and game afforded the children. I went through it, adding here and there some finishing touches and little conveniences, a painter meanwhile giving it a final coat of dark, cheap wash.
Our poultry house was now ready for use, and I said to Winnie, “Tonight we will catch the chickens and put them in it.”
The old horse had already been established in the stable, and I resolved that the cow should come in from this time. In the afternoon I began turning over the fodder corn, and saw that a very tew more days would cure it. Although I decided not to begin the main husking until after the middle of the month, I gathered enough ears to start the pigs on the fattening process. Toward night I examined the apples, and determined to adopt old
