They are very earnest folk; we also believe they are honest; but, after all, they are "gone coons," beyond the reach of both physic and argument.

But the 'coon was a fine, fat fellow, and his skin would make a valuable addition to the museum, and, besides, he had followed him so far already, that he was reluctant to go back to his companions without him, and, on second thought, he concluded that he would not go back unless he could carry the 'coon with him.

"My father had some very fine dogs; we hunted coons, rabbits and opossum.

I heard em say if Mars Hancock didn't want to give em meat they got tree a coon or possum.

"Well, boys," said he, as he threw his 'coon down with the others, "you may laugh, but I wish some of you were obliged to go through what I did.

Here, on a Sunday afternoon, were two young fellows who had brought to town a mother coon and three young ones, hoping to find a purchaser.

I wonder if old Jesse Wilcox has begun to set his traps yet; that's his stamping-ground, you know, during the winter, and he makes quite a haul of muskrats, 'coons, some mink and even an otter once in a long while," said Bluff, enthusiasticallyhe was always a leading spirit in new ventures, but lacked the pertinacity of Frank.

"Good for rabbits an' 'possums an' coons, eh?" "He shore is!"

Meanwhile Archie was endeavoring to secure his 'coon, under rather more difficult circumstances.

Archie was a good hand at climbing, and had shaken more than one 'coon from his roost, and he carefully felt his way up, until he had almost reached the top of the sapling, when, not wishing to trust his weight on the small limbs, he stopped, and again shook the tree, and this time with better success.

Absolve us from our agreement about the bear, and you may take my shot at that animal up in the tree." "I wasn't born yesterday," Smith replied, "and I can't afford to exchange the glory of killing the bear in my own way, and baring three responsible endorsers, for the honor of shooting a coon.

At the very outset of the campaign a Democratic newspaper declared that Harrison would be more at home "in a log cabin, drinking hard cider and skinning coons, than living in the White House as President."

The boys moved quietly along the fence, and, in a few moments, a quick, sharp yelp from Brave announced that he had started the first 'coon.

During the fight, short as it was, Frank had gained considerably, and, as the 'coon turned to make off, he again threw his ax at him, which, true to its aim, struck the 'coon on the head, and stretched him lifeless on the ground.

One night we treed three coons in a big hollow oak.

Sometimes, by special permission from our master or overseer, we would go hunting and catch a coon or possum and a pot pie would be a real treat.

They found a pet coon with a piece of chain around his neck.

We have said that it was a moonlight night, but, so far as a view of the chase was concerned, the light of the moon would benefit them but little; and the boys carried the lanterns, not to be able to follow the 'coon when started, but to discover him when "treed," and to assist them in picking their way through the woods.

Frank knew very well that Lightfoot had something of a job before him, for it requires a very tough, active dog to "handle" a full-grown coon when he is cornered.

And he laid down his 'coon, and walked up and dealt the stump several lusty blows with his ax.