Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-07-26

| ~ III JnS freezing water Watching the tlh]
| float as it danced its merry course along now
| borne swiftly over the ripping current.
anon caught in an eddy and returning in lis
track, and then again resting motionless iu
some dark and quiet pool 1t was scarcely
| visible beneath the dense shadows. and
once in a while it would disappear from my
straining sight; then followed sharp blow
with my rod, fierce tug, a short fight be
| tween fear, despair and cunning on the one
side, and strength, energy and judgment on
| the other. The prey once hooked, and
skill there was not; it was a mere contention
! Of two brute forces, in which the weak
! cr went to the basket. An exhibition of
| skill and tenderness would have resulted in
| an entanglement round the nearest root, and
| the loss Of fish, leader and hook. Still,
| there was excitement; the situation was ro-
| mantle; the narrow gorge, the deep and rapid
| stream, the closely matted trees and vincs
| the eVer-changing surface of the current,
! which adds beauty to the tamcst brook, ali
combined to lend enchantmcnt to the scene.
The fish were large and vigorous, fresh run
from the sea, where they had, the winter
long, been a terror to the small fry, and early
death to juicy and unsuspicious shcll-fsh.
They fought ferccly for life and liberty,
their homes and their household gods, and
alas! too often successfully. The risk Of
their escape added to the interest of the oc-
casiOn, and the number Of herring darting
past, gave continual promise of the presence
OF their arch enemy, the trout.
l had halt-illed my basket, and had met
with wonderful escapes and terrible heart
Tending losses, mingled with exhilaratiug
successes. | had made about half the dis
tance, as well as judged, and felt proud and
happy as no king upon his throne ever did
or will. My rod, though a Hy-rod, was
whipped every few inches with silk and
thus strengthened had stood the unequal
conflict admirably. Still hoping for better
things-who will not hope for the impossi-
blc?-l strobe on. Below me the current
made a sudden turn at bend in the stream,
and cddied swiftly under the oVcrhanging
bank. The brook almost disappeared in
what was evidently a vast cavern deep in
the bowels of that bank. In such watcry
places, amid the worn rocks, the tangled
roots, the undulating moss and weeds.
fcrce-eycd m0nstrOuS trout delight to dwell
In such fortresses they await unwary travel
ers, and dark deeds are done in the congo
NAL darkness-outrage, riots and murder
stalk boldly about The migratory herring,
harmless and unsuspicious. peers in and
starts afrighted back, then peers again, at
last ventures forward. and then, compelled
by instinct to ascend, tries to dart hastily
by; there Is a sudden rush, frantic strUg-
gle, pltcous look entrGating mercy of pitt
less hearts; for an instant the water is dyed
with blood and then flows on, washing all
trace Of the deed away.
| approach the den carefully, the feather
like float dancing merrily far ahead over the
ripping tide, and as the line is paid out,
swaying from side 20 side, Close in frUnt or
>, -s,,.N- hot fr1r, h. I.y,
sign: a step forward the water carries it
under the bank out Of sight | stand still,
expectant; nothingyo creep cautiously to
the very bank, and thrust my rod in the
water, aye, under the bank its full length.
What's that All what a tug | have
him the monster the Giant Despair Of the
wayfaring herring. How he pulls | must
have him out of his retreat; it IS a great
risk but my only chance. | strain my rod.
my line, almost my arms to the utmost; he
comes; disdainful Of surreptitious adyan
tagcs, relying on his great strength; he has
not taken protection Of weed or stump.
Now my boy, do your utmost: yes leap from
the water, dart down with the current; |
must give to you little; no line can stand
that strain; but you will never reach your
lair again. Turn about, head up stream,
that Is what | want there Is d. sandy bank
above US, can | but reach it and land you
there. All. you perceive the danger or have
changed your mind now you fly down steam
with the sackcncd line kissing through the
return again. Already beautifully, you have
passed the bank now, rod, be true line, do
YOUR duty. The plant ash bends, the up
per Joint has passed below the but in a wide
hoop. lie comes, his head is up; if | can
but keep it out OF waterl he dashcs the foam
ing waves with his strong tail; one more
effort; bend rod, but do not break; he is out
Of water; | have him. He is dancing on the
yellow sand his last dance in mortal form:
his changing hucs glancing in the mild light,
his fierce mouth gasping, his bright sides
bcfouled with sand and dust, his glittering
scales torn off by the sharp stones. His
efforts grow fainter, the flashing eye dims,
a few conclusive throcs and he Is quiet; the
grim hand of death has pressed upon him.
He Is indeed the prince Of monsters, the
paragon Of giants; so thick, so deep, with
so small a head for so large a body; such
brilliant hucs; the fins 50 red, the blue and
carminc spots SO numerous and delicate !
wash him off and stand gazing at him in my
hand regardless Of farther sport. | have
captured the king, and care not to follow
his subatcrns. lay him gently in my bas-
kct: he will not lie at full length. ! cover
him with moss, filling the little room left
and forcing my way through the OVGThang-
ing bushes, and, reaching the broad light Of
day, proudly await the arrival Of my com
panion. Then the moss Is carefully rcmoy-
ell. and the beauties Of my darling are un-
yelled, and fash and gleam in the sunlight
RI Gomc Ftsh Of He NoHh,' = By Bau-
rH
CARLYLE.s SKETCH OF LUTHER.-A
coarse, rugged, plebeian face it was with
great crags Of check boncs-a wild amount
Of passionate energy and appetite But in
his dark eyes were floods OF sorrow; and the
deepest melancholy and sweetness were all
there. Often did there seem tomeetn Luther
the very opposite points in man character.
'He, for example, Of whom Richter had
said his words were half f-battles. he, when
lie first began to preach, suffered un-hcard
of agony. 90, DIR. Staupitz, DR.. Staupitz,
DIR StaupitZ. said he to the yicar-g general
Of his order, Il cannot do it, | shall die in
three months Indeed | cannot do it. -
DIR. Staupitz, wise and cousiderate man,
said upon this, We'll, Sir Martin, if you
must die, you must, but remember that they
need good heads up yOnder, too. Sopreach,
and then live OF die, as it happens. So
Luther preached and lived, and he became,
indeed one great whirlwind Of energy to
work without resting in this world; and also
before he died, he wrote very many books
books in which the true man Is found, for
in the midst of all they denounced and ours.
L. e I.