John Greenleaf Whittier was born near Haverhill,Mass.in 1807,and died at Hampton Falls,N.H.in 1892. His boyhood was passed on a farm,and he never received a classical education. In 1829 he edited a newspaper in Boston. In the following year he removed tHartford,Conn.tassume a similar position. In 1836 he edited an antislavery paper in Philadelphia. In 1840 he removed tAmesbury,Mass. Mr. Whittier's parents were Friends,and he always held tthe same faith. He wrote extensively both in prose and verse. As a poet,he ranked among those most highly esteemed and honored by his countrymen. "Snow Bound" is one of the longest and best of his poems.
1.Our bachelor uncle whlived with us was a quiet,genial1 man,much given thunting and fishing ;and it was one of the pleasures of our young life taccompany him on his expeditions tGreat Hill,Brandy-brow Woods,the Pond,and,best of all,tthe Country Brook. We were quite willing twork hard in the cornfield or the haying lot tfinish the necessary day's labor in season for an afternoon stroll through the woods and along the brookside.
2.I remember my first fishing excursion as if it were but yesterday. I have been happy many times in my life,but never more intensely sthan when I received that first fishing pole from my uncle's hand,and trudged off with him through the woods and meadows. It was a still,sweet day of early summer;the long afternoon shadows of the trees lay cool across our path;the leaves seemed greener,the flowers brighter,the birds merrier,than ever before.
1 Genial,cheerful.
3.My uncle,whknew by long experience where were the best haunts 1of pickerel,considerately2 placed me at the most favorable point. I threw out my line as I had soften seen others,and waited anxiously for a bite,moving the bait in rapid jerks on the surface of the water in imitation of the leap of a frog. Nothing came of it. "Try again," said my uncle. Suddenly the bait sank out of sight. "Now for1Haunts,places frequently visited.
2Considerately,with due regard tothers,kindly thoughtful.
it," thought I;"here is a fish at last."
4.I made a strong pull,and brought up a tangle of weeds. Again and again I cast out my line with aching arms,and drew it back empty. I looked at my uncle appealingly1. "Try once more," he said;"we fishermen must have patience."
5.Suddenly something tugged at my line,and swept off with it intdeep water. Jerking it up,I saw a fine pickerel wriggling in the sun. "Uncle!" I cried,looking back in uncontrollable excitement,"I've got a fish!" "Not yet," said my uncle. As he spoke there was a plash in the water;I caught the arrowy gleam of a scared fish shooting intthe middle of the stream,my hook hung empty from the line. I had lost my prize.
6.We are apt tspeak of the sorrows of childhood as trifles in comparison with those of grown-up people ;but we may depend upon it the young folks don't agree with us. Our griefs,modified2 and restrained by reason,experience,and self-respect,keep the proprieties3,and,if possible,avoid a scene;but the sorrow of childhood,unreasoning and all-absorbing4,is a complete abandonment tthe passion. The doll's nose is broken,and the world breaks up with it;the marble rolls out of sight,and the solid globe rolls off with the marble.
7.So,overcome with my great and bitter disappointment,I sat down on the nearest hassock5,and for a time refused tbe comforted,even by my uncle's assurance that there were more fish in the brook. He refitted my bait,and,putting the pole again in my hands,told me ttry my luck once more.
8."But remember,boy," he said,with his shrewd smile,"never brag of catching a fish until he is on dry ground. I've seen older folks1Appealingly,as though asking for aid. 2Modified,qualified,lessened.3Proprieties,fixed customs or rules of conduct. 4 Absorbing,engaging the attention entirely.5 Hassock,a raised mound of turf.doing that in more ways than one,and smaking fools of themselves. It's nuse tboast of anything until it's done,nor then,either,for it speaks for itself."
9.How often since I have been reminded of the fish that I did not catch. When I hear people boasting of a work as yet undone,and trying tanticipate1 the credit which belongs only tactual achievement2,I call tmind that scene by the brookside,and the wise caution of my uncle in that particular instance takes the form of a proverb of universal application: "NEVER BRAG OF YOUR FISH BEFORE YOU CATCH HIM."1Anticipate,ttake before the proper time. 2 Achievement,performance,deed.