Smyrna times., 1869-11-17
The Bare-F Footed Fisher-Girl.

Ever since Ida Lewis, the Heroine of Lime
Rock" became famous, other localities have
been looking up female ''bOatists" to make her
oines of There have been about twenty added
to the list since Miss Ida became notorious for
her really noble and brave acts. The following
article is the last sensation of the kind. 1t is
going the rounds of the press and seems to be
generally endorsed, but no accredited authori-
ty is appended to it:
While the steamer Norman lay wooding up
at Port Oneida, on the shore of Lake Michi-
gan, there came aboard pleasant, bare-foOted
German girl, with pail of berries. She wore
cheap calico dress, minus the hoops, with
little gingham shaker, nearly hiding her face.
She was rather undersize, with supple figure,
and an air of modest assurance that denoted a
girl of genuine stamp, but told the boys to keep
out of her way. All the men about the boat
and dock seemed to know her. The steward
bought her berries at her own price. The
clerk at the Office touched his hat to her as if
in the presence of a duchess. That's the
smartest girl in Michigan" said the engineer,
as she passed out of the gangway. The girl
gave no heed to admiring glances and compli-
ments that followed her, but straig ghtway sought
her little fish cabin, where she was mending
nets by the shore.
On inquiry of the old dock man, we learned
that our little barefoot maiden, though only
seventeen, was the Oldest of family of an even
dozen, living in little double log-cabin, on the
high bank above the shore. Her father NOV
ed from Buffalo some dozen years ago, went tc
clearing timber, selling wood to steamboats, and
raising stuff on his land. LAME, the oldest girl
was the " little captain" from the start, and
showed pluck beyOund her years. In winte
she would get on her boots and be out among
the wood-choppers before she could hardly wad
| die through the snow. In summer she would
wander off a berrying, or be down among tht
nets and fishing-bOats. 1t was her greatest de
light to get on the water, to rock and toss upol
the waves. At ten, she was trim little sailol
herself, and would allow no boy to pass he
with sail or oar.
For the last three years, Lanie" has beel
master of handsome fishing craft and set o
" gillnets" She puts them out early in Apri
and continues them till late in the fall. She i
out every morning at daylight, and again in tn
evening, except in the toughest weather. Sh
takes youngersister along to help set and draj
the nets She often brings ina couple bundre,
fine lake trout and white fish at haul. Sh
dresses them, tries out the oil, packs and send
them away to market. Her August and Sep
tember catch amounted to over 5000. Beside
her fishing receipts she has taken in over $l7
this season for berries, picked at odd hours b
herself and sister. All her money goes to he
father Month after month he packs it ava
in old sacks and stockings under his bed nigh
after night he guards it with saber and pisto
In all, she is said to have earned him owe
$300O
Of course the old man is proud of his CIR
and tells of her exploits with the liveliest twir
kle of satisfaction. Danger and hardship seel
unknown to her. She will go out in any bio
and come in with full sails. Her white ma
aud blue pennon is know by the people f;
along the coast. Boats salute her in passing
: boys swing their hats in proud recognition
Without knowing it, Lame Lorfein is heroin