Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-02-26
FISHING on WHITE RIVER

BY HAZEL GREEN, EsD.
Last summer. or rather last Spring, while
stopping in Indiana. formed one of com
pany that went to the falls of White River,
near the village Of Ncwberry, for the purpose
of having a regular set two or three days
fishing spree, as the Hoosors call it. The
first day Of our excursion turned out to be
windy, and we had no luck the next day we
caught only one small bass, little swapping
turtle, few frogs-iust for the fun of it,
and bad cold. On the third day the tables
turned, and fortune smiled upon us propiN-
ously for we all caught fresh colds, Jake Col
lins fell overheard and we caught him. Bill
Maring caught the ague, and Tom Burbon
caught catfish that weighed some seventy
pounds.
Our "sprce' was now at an end, and ,ge
found il matter Of little difficulty to take
home with us all that VIC had caught except
the big fish. 1t was too large to carry and
too small TO justify the hire of special con-
goyanoe, so we were sorely puz2ed as to what
disposition we should mako of it, At last a
happy thought came to our relief Joe the
auctioneer, formed one of our company, and
SO we resolved to 60 up TO Nowberry, and
sell the monster at auction. 1t was Just about
the first of the fishing season, and so we ex-
pectod to realize a handsome profit by way
Of fun, at least
When we arrived at the village, we found
about thirty persons assembled around a lit
tie grocery Chuckling over such a streak of
good luck, Joe shouldered the fish. mounted
upon the head of molasses hogshead, and
proceeded to business
"Now, gentlemen" said he, show much
do you say to start him Do / hear fifty
cents Fifty c-e-n-t-s do hear fifty
cents"
But they did not say, and poor Joe cried
and went on at an awful rate without the least
prospect of a bid. Seeing that our chance
of speculation was but slim, we concluded
TO amuse ourselves by bidding for fun.
"Fivo dollars to start him, said l.
Five dollars-fve-hve, and agoing
cheap as dirt; who says more;'
Ten, says another of our company.
Fifteen -
And so the bids ran on till they reached
thirty dollars-all sham, of course.
Just at that moment tall, gawky-looking
hoosier was seen making rapid strides towards
the scene of action. Having arrived and
looked at the fish on all sides, and listened
to thirty, and going he bawled out;
81 say, stranger-you on that ar barrel-I
kin do better than that myself. Jest hold on
a minute, and let me hev nuther squint at
i'm BY goily Jest say fifty, and resk him"
Fifty fifty p cried the auctionoer, aston
ished at the bid fifty -going--going-
gone at fifty"
The fish was handed over to the Hoosier,
who after looking at old Joe moment, and
smelling to see that his prize was not spoiled,
began to walk off with it.
"Stop, old fellow you have not paid for
it % cried several.
"Pad, darnation r. replied the green one,
coming to a halt. "Warn't the fish gin to
me Didn't hear you all guessn' thirty
and didn't | guess fifty and I'll bet a coon
skin he don't weigh any more and didn't
that old puss- bellied feller up thar give it to
me p
mo, no % exclaimed old Joe, while we
were all holding our sides, ''you bid fifty
dollars for the fish, and you've got to pay"
After sour look, and a irown that was in
tended to tell how indignant he felt, the Hoo
sior replied
"lf yer Ingin enough to take thing back
arter givin' it to ieller, take it - and suit
ing the action to the word, he threw it at the
auctioncer with all his strength Our corpu-
lent friend having no desire to come in con-
tact with fying fish, loaped as high as he
could, and when he came down, the hogshead
top gave way beneath his weight, and in the
next instant, he was Aoundering about up to
his chin in molasses.
"Te, he, he r roared the Hoosier as he
made tracks off in the way he had come
"Te, he, he now yer in a sweet pickle y
And so he was With much difficulty we
succeeded in oxtricating him, after which we
paid the damage, and started in search Of wa
ter, resolving never again, under any circum-
stances, to set up fsh-market at Newberry.
--Porters Spirit Of the Times.