WILD NEIGHBORS, OUT-DOOR STUDIES IN THE UNITED STATES, by Ernest
Ingersoll, is a most interesting addition to the new books of the year.
It treats in a charming way of some of the better-known animals of this
country, and will be especially appreciated by those of our boys who
love out-door sport. It will prove instructive, as well. (The publishers
are Macmillan & Co., New York, and the price, $1.50.)
Part of the author's description of the panther reminds your editor of
an interesting experience he had in the Adirondacks. Ingersoll says that
"'the blood-curdling screams' of the puma have furnished forth many a
fine tale for the camp-fire, but evidence of this screaming which will
bear sober cross-examination is scant." In the fall of 1875 we were
camping in a little clearing on the bank of the Racquette River; one of
our guides, an impulsive Frenchman, started out alone one night, without
waking us, and succeeded in shooting a deer. Down the river he came,
shouting and making a terrible racket to express his delight; the whole
party was awake and out of the tent by the time he reached the landing.
Lifting the deer out of the boat, we hung it up on a pole between two
trees, and then, brightening up the fire, sat around telling stories
until old Father Nod began to remind us that it was 3 A.M., and not
breakfast-time. Just then there came the most blood-curdling scream I
have ever heard, and it seemed so near us that we all jumped to our feet
and made a dash for the guns. Our old guide reassured us by saying that
it was only a "painter," and he was "across the river." In the morning
we went over early, and there, sure enough, were his tracks in the sand,
looking very much like the prints of the palm of a boy's hand, with a
row of little holes on one side where the claws stuck in. I am sure that
if the author of "Wild Neighbors" had been with our party he would not
have been so sceptical about a panther's ability to scream. We will
forgive him because he tells so many good stories in this interesting
book of his.
"OLD MOTHER EARTH," by Josephine Simpson and "THE STORY OF WASHINGTON,"
by Jessie R. Smith.
The first-named book is without doubt one of the very best in its line.
It adopts a simple, direct, natural way of unfolding the subject, and
cannot fail to interest the children in all they see around them.
The "Story of Washington" is a little gem. The children would be
delighted to read it for themselves, and the illustrations are such that
children understand. It is beautifully bound for such a cheap little
book, and surely ought to find favor wherever it is carefully examined.