Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-10-15

a Fisherman's Story.


right on. The only excuse was like that OF
military necessity-it was far better fishing
through the farms, where the trout had been
preserved, than in lot where al could fish.
1t was early in the morning. We had
risen at 8, ridden ten miles, and struck the
creek as the trout were ready for breakfast
Looking carefully for a sheltered place to
hitch out horses, we shyly crept on behind
fences, ect., until we reached the part of the
creek not generally fshed. A farm house
stood quarter of mile away. We saw the
morning smoke curling lightly from stove
pipe, saw man and two boys come ont to do
the chores; saw woman busy about the door,
and ferocious bull dog wandering about the
yard.
If we ever fshed, it was then. Not a
whisper to disturb the birds or the owner Of
the land We crawled through the grass and
lodged behind alders, lifting large speckled
beauties until our baskets were full.
This was the the time to have gone, but the
trout were so large and bit so readily that we
decided to string and hide what we had and
take another basketful. So at it we Vent
No sooner would the hook touch the water
than 1t had a trout. We forgot the house, the
man, the boys, the dog. Suddenly there was
a rushing through the oat field, as if tnad
bull was coming. We looked toward tie house,
and saw the farmer and his two boys, on the
fence, the woman in the door, and the dog
bouncing toward us. We saw alive had
been discovered The we'll trained dog lad
been sent to hunt US out, and as the matter
appeared, it was safe to bet that he was doing
that thing rather lively.
To outrun the dog was not to be though.
of. There was no time to lose. He cleared
the fence and came for us just as we reached
the tree, aud by great activity took a seat on a
limb just above bis reach. Here was a pre-
cious go A vicious bulldog under a tree, and
the farmer and his two big boys ready tC
move down upon our works. 1t was fight
foot-race or fangs.
The farmer yelled to his dog Watch him
Tige y
T'ge proposed to do that little thing, and
keeping his eye upon us, seated himself under
the tree.
Then spoke the ugly farmer "Just hold on
thar, stranger, till we get breakfast if you
are in a hurry, however, you can go now
Watch him Tige."
We sutmised trouble; quite too much fol
twice had that bold man of bulldogs and
agriculture elegantly walloped innocent tour
lists for being seen on bis suburban premises
His reputation as peace man was not good
and here arose a large heart towards our
throat.
Time is the essence of contracts and the saw
ing of trouble. We had a stout line in our
pocket, and I large hook, intended for rock
bass, if we failed to take trout. And rs luck
would have it we had nice sandwich and a
piece of corn beef in our pocket.
We called the dog pet names but be wasn't
on it. Then we tried to move down, when he
moved up At last we trebled our bass line,
fastened the Lmberick to it, baited with corn
beef tied to limb, and angled for dog
Tige was in appetite. He swallowed it, and
sat with his eyes upon Us for more; but with
no friendly look beamiug from his counte-
nance Not any.
Then we pulled gently on the line ; it was
fast. Tige yanked and pulled-but twas nc
use.
We quickly slid down the tree-aImost
blistering our back doing it-seized our pole,
and straigh:way went thence somewhat live
ly.
We found our string of fish, and reached the
buggy and commanding spot in the road in
time to see the sturdy yeoman move forth.
We saw. him and cohorts, male aud fe-
male, move slowly, as if in no haste. We
saw an anxious crowd engaged about the dog.
We came quietly home, and kindly left the
bass hook and line TO the farmer.