Litchfield enquirer., 1841-04-29
y, A FISH WITH FEATHERS.

Aurora Bay has long been celebrated for
its beautiful scenery and extensive fisheries.
1t is also justly celebrated for its artful and
scientific fisherman--Stephen Clifford! Who
has not heard of, Stephen Clifford, man
dear to fishermen? and who will not remem-
Der how their risible propensities became
excited 70 downright laughter in spite Of
themselves the moment they met with the
good natured phiz Of our Aurora fisherman
Being sclf-taught, and gradually rising to
the highest grade of his profession, he has
ment of patience, the lion of the age. 1.-THE
lamented Crockett hadth faculty of grim
ming down coons from the tops of the lofty
trees of our western forests, the faculty Of
Stephen is not less remarkable 10 grinning
up trout from the bottom Of old Cayuga lake.
Even the feathered tribe are not wholly se-
cure when they come in contact with his
grinnihg powers. "' u " ''"i"'' H' 90 -''@
A day or two since the hero Of our story
was employed in the offing Of our bay, an.
choring his set lines we'll baited on the bot
tom OF Cayuga lake, at the depth of $50 feet
water--he then prayed 10 the moon and
stars, as fishermen ever do. "ihat he might
have good luck tonight" trusting to kind
proved indeed most hnppy-for in taking up
his line, as he pulled in iathom after fathom,
kind fortune dealing most profusely, trout
after trout made their Appearance as each
successive hook came in sight, until they
numbered seven and twenty. s,r.. ..-s -.
This was the height Ofsuccess! But Judge
of his surprise when presently there hove in
sight u fish, Of many colors and of peculiar
shape. The old fisherman stood abashed--
he thought he discovered feathers, aud yet
forsooth u fish with feathers! This perplex-
cd him. But he was selC:taught, and an idea
occurred. II might be a sea serpent. An
important crisis had now arrived: some.
thing must be done, and that quickly. He
stood for moment hesitating betwixt fear
and resolve. At length one desperate effort,
and over the sides Of the boat came tumbling
the monster. A shudder came over him, his
eyes became CLASSY, md all was dark. But
in moment he was himself again; and to
his surprise lie fund that Instead Of sea
serpent 1t was large Loon, ,ceighinS t,relre
pounds. who had dove down to the exiraordi-
nary Distance Of 100 feet in quest Of prev,
and not surn,ising that n barbc,l hook Law
concealed within the bait. seized IL, and
when too late found he had caught Tartar.
The Old fisherman for the first time, we
believe, turned little pale; hut il is whis-
pered, as soon as he reached the shore, the
surprise OF the inhabitants, and the more
than common praises hcaped upon the old
fisherman. soon caused IL resume his won't
ed color and extend still farther his uniform
grin.-AGbs1n Journal s Sr'15 70
: rsfs'iN III H.f 49, Di ', 81 ..f. .
Haeneg 81 Spssch. Tho common ilnency Of speech
VI many Iren and women, says Swift, is owing 10
scarcity OF verbs; for whoever ~ lnas,er az nGnage
and has mind toll ofideas, will he apt in spea kSe.
y hesllate npon the choice Of bath whereas com.
mon speakers nave only SGT u ideas aud one SO,
on NotUe W chlla them n. anil fhazA
dy, 80 people ctme faster ont Of church when II e
nearly en'piy than when crowd il al the door.