Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-04-21
MISCELLANY Y.
From the Southern Sportsman
rWO DAYS AT JEFFRIES' SPRINGS
FIRST pAY-THE FISHING EXCURSION
BY @. W. BRADBURY.

FIRST DAY-THE FISHING EXCURSION.
There was snug, comfortable party oil us
some eight or ten in number gathered together
on deer-hun,ing expedition, alta place called JEFF
fries Springs, in Claiborne county, Mississippi,
about twenty five miles from the river. The
Springs" are now deserted, or at least were de-
serted when was there. 1t was rather roman
tic place in the wild wood, miles from any town
--miles almost, from any human ha5itation. On
a high ridge OF ground were clustered about half
a dozen rude log huts. In deep dell, quarter
of mile from the cabins, was spring, gushing
from under bank, with as pure, cold and dec-
ious a stream of water as ever moistened human
lips. This spring at one time was supposed to be
gifted with medicinal qualities, and the huts in the
region we're built as summer retreats, for those
who might wish to avail themselves of the tabled
virtues of the waters. Whether those who had
tested the resort had found the spring not exactly
what it was "cracked up to be-" whether they
came to the conclusion that simple cold water was
scarcely sufficient compensation for residence
in the wilderness, are matters at do not pretend
TO understand l only know that the cabins stand
solitary aud alone in the forest, save when some
wild and careless jewellers, like the party OF which
sneak, chose to become, for the nonce, their ten
ants.
And a capital set Of boys we had. First and
foremost, in all that could be called sport, was
Devil Jim Moore" well known through all the
region round about Two of the crowd were from
the city, from The heat and summer solitude of
which thew had, for a brief season, made their
escape, and their knowledge OF hunting was Just
about as limited as the knowledge of Julius
Cesar of the present Congress OF Texas. was
especially rugged for fishing expedition. The
sport always presented peculiar CHARMS 10 me- and
having been deprived OF opportunities for several
years of enjoying it to my liking, had resolved
70 crafty myself with some indulgence; accor-
dinghy, was fully stocked with patent rods, patent
lines, patent reels, patent hooks, patent flies and
patent every thing else.
Our party arrived at the hus early in the morn
ing, and as the day was somewhat cloudy deter.
mined to secure fine mess Of trout for dinner as
was assured that u creek in the vicinity well
stocked with that delicious species OF fish. soon
rugged myself and sailed forth, in accordance with
the directions given me, in search OF the creek
and found it with hut slight difficulty II was re-
ally most lovely trout stream, ard could almost
discover the fish sporting in its clear depths. The
water delightfully."- pellucid and its course, az
il wound around the banks and The oyerhangiDg
shrubbery, now tumbling in sweet cascades and
anon in deep aud silent pools. would have thrown
an old angler into perfect exstaces l saw before
me glorious sport and plenty I'll. First, thank
ed my stars for the enjoyment in prospect; next
moislened my lips with a drop or two Of good "olC
Monong ahela' from flask Of The same, consid
erateIy furnished me by " Devil jim; !" next, so
oquized upon The refreshing stiffness all arount
me, for The monolonous gurgling of the brook wa
the only music that broke the silence of the viii
derness sixlhly and lasily," carefully survey
ed promising hole" in which was cOnfden
reposed some trout Of Two or three pounds weight
painting TO swallow my tempting bait as soon as
was offered; finally, and to conclude" sat dow
upon log, rugged my rod aud line, attached fin
fat minnow TO my hook, and cast it upon The wa,
ers TO my extreme Amusement, the bait was no
instantly seized, and the principal melton of tn
line was owing TO the impetus of The current. TIL
only living thing whose attention seemed TO hav
attracted was n huge green frog. which gozcd de
lberately at me with Its google eyes, and an e,
preston which seemed 10 say very plainly VIII,
the devil are you here for 7"
Not TO make a short story too long, fished f
hours, unrewarded by single bne. Remenbe
ing we'll that no person could make good fshe
man who could not bring 10 hs aid large stoc
OF patience, manfuly persevered in my labors.
tried all kinds OF bait ever thought OF, from mil
nows to grasshoppeis, but l lured no trout, lare
or small from his hiding place.
Hang q" exclaimed at last quite weary
the Toll, ~ see how il is. must Try these fish vii
the fly, then III have a string OF them in short o.
der" Accordingly | essayed the fly, but with n
better success-nothng rose to il no color, n
size could tempt the trout from their home. ha
now whipped The creek two or three miles, ha
finished my MonoDgahela had perspired al sue
rate that my clothes were saturated, and in at
dlt'on, began to believe quite confidently that
morsel OF something 10 eat would exercise dc
cdedly benehciai effect upon my system and ten
per. Faint weary and Disguised, | put up IN
rod, and clamberlDg up the bank soon struck
wood path, which was quite satisfied would TAX
me back to The huls While | was wonderin