Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-11-24
"WAIELNG FOR 4 BITE"

1t is a trite remark that if a rogue
would only apply to some honorable pur-
suit with the industryand ingenuity which
characterize his dishonest practices he
would surely attain success, if not dis
tinction. The observation is no less true
than trite.
Its also true that men who have the
real native love of sport in their COM
position will often display in their favor
ite pastimes an endurance of hardships,
a perseverance amid difficulties, pa
tience under disappointment, and withal
a thorough relish for these trials them
selves, which we rarely see manifested in
the serious occupations of life. e.
+ Take, for example, the disciple OF
Isaac Walton.
Your fisherman may be slender man,
and one, of a dyspeptie habit; but he
rises betimes, lunches on coarse bread
and cold meat, shoulders a pack which
would makes porter stare, and is off for
the woods. He tolls over steep hills and
drags himself through spOngy marshes. He
never heeds the stinging insects that as
sert "squatter sovereignty" on every inch
of Drawn which he exposes. The pene-
trating shower or the fierce rays of the
noontide sun cannotsafrest his progress.
He reaches the field of his operations,
and casting his line, is straightway OBJ
Iivious of everything but one idea. The
world recedes from his rapt vision; the
familiar scenes of life vanish from memo
ry; the wild and picturesque beauty of his
surroundings appeal to him in vain; he
takes no note Of time and no space
has significance to him except the little
spot upon which his gaze is riveted. He
is waiting for a bite.
[ declare there is something sublime in
that ludicrous story which Is related Of a
gentleman, who, passing by small stream
one Saturday afternoon, observed a fish
erman seated on the bank, and called out
to him:
"Hallo, therel Got bite?''
"a Bite, nor replied the angler; II came
here only last Wednesday"
after that? Why, the Gymnosophist him
self. standing upon his pillar in breath.
less contemplation of his toes, with bare
head and folded arms, unheeding the
rising or the setting sun, the scorching
glare of MONDAY or the drenching dewf
/ of night, hardly excels our true fisher
man In absorbed devotion to one object.
o, if similar zeal might only be man
lifssted in pursuits more worthy of man'i
ambition.
Every community in our land is in
Tested with scores of young men who ar
f"waiting for a bite'-waiting, Micawber
Hike, for something to turn up" The.
seem to be applying the mastery mac
tivity'' principle to civil life; and to ex
peet, by present idleness, to gain rich fu
ture rewards. They indulge a hope tha
There will, sometime in their lives, be tina
happy concurrence of fortunate event
which will establish their suecessi AM
4 thew Believe 1t would be useless to striv
until that time arrives. But alas to
THAT vainest of human expectations +
j They will learn at length that no one
s needed in this world only as he make
himself so; that society never carves GU
comfortable aud honorable position TO
any man, and elevates him to it gratuit
eusly; but that each one has to struggl
and elbow his way through the mass Q
his fellows, before he can get and main
tain a solid footing.
Perhaps we may have some practici
life lesson by observing what the angle
2 deems essential to successful fishing.
In the first place the sportsman ascel
tains what fish are In season; then b
learns where he may reasonably expect
take them. These two important matter
q decided, he next inspects the condition (
his tackle, choosing the kind particular
adapted to his purpose, and putting it
prime order. Then be prepares the ba
which experience and observation hay
' Taught him is the most tempting to tt
fish at that period of the year. All the
and other necessary provisions beil
e. made, he sets out, laughing at the har
<, ships and fatigue, setting hunger, co
and danger at defiance. When he b
cast his line he can afford to wait for
, bite e''-the carp viii surely come.
ia How many young men, just startt
. out in life, are waiting for the succe
REfttsey will never attain, because they ha
neglected some one or more OF these {
sentialsl They are fishing out of seasC
Ia or their tackle is out Of order; or tht
11ss5 Ibait issnot sHitahleipT they get fatigu
and lose their patience, Perhaps tn