Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-17
A Fisherman's story.

we were traNellnB on RrOuHuS we udu
no right on, The only excuse was like
that of a military necessity-it was far
better fishing through the farms where
the trout had been preserved, than in a
lot where all could fish.
1t was early in the morning. We had
risen at 3, ridden ten miles and struck
the creek as the trout were ready for
breakfast Looking carefully for shell
tered place to hitch our horses, we shyly
crept on behind fences, etc, until we
reached the part Of the creek not gener-
ally fshed "A farm house stood quar-
ter of mile away We saw the morn
ing smoke curling lightly from stove.
pipe; saw a man and two boys come out
to do the chores saw a woman busy
about the door, and ferocious bull dog
wandering about the yard.
mIf we ever fshed it was then. Not q
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 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 went. No sooner would the
hook touch the water than it had a trout.
We forgot the house, the man, the boys
and dog. Suddenly there was a rushing
through the oat field, as if mad bull
was coming. We looked toward the
house. and saw the farmer and his two
boys on the fence, and the dog bouncing
toward us. We saw alive had been
discovered The well-trained dog had
been sent to hunt us out, and, as the
matter appeared, it was safe TO bet he
was doing that thing rather lively.
To outrun the dog was not to be
thought of. There was no time to lose.
He cleared the fence and came for US
just as we reached tho tree and by great
activity took q seat on limb Just above
his reach Here was a precious gol A
vicious bull dog under a tree, and the
farmer and his two big boys ready to
move down upon our works. 1t was
fight, foot-race or fangs.
The farmer yelled to his dog, Watch
him, Tigel'
Tige proposed to do that little thing,
and keeping his eye upon US, seated him
self under the tre6.
Then spoke the ugly farmer Just
fast; if you are in a hurry, however, you
can 90 now. Watch him, Tige.
We surmised trouble; quite too much,
for twice had that bold man Of bulldogs
and agriculture elegantly walloped inno-
cent tourists for being seen on his su-
burban premises. His reputation as a
peace man was not good, and here arose
a large heart toward our throats.
Time is the essence of contracts and
the saving Of trouble. We had stout
line ia our pocket and Large hook, in.
tended for rock bass, if we failed to take
trout And as luck would have it, We
had nice sandwich and piece Of corn
beef in our pocket.
We called the dog pet names, but he
wasn't on it. Then we tried to move
down, when he moved up. At last we
trebled our bass line, fastened the Linn
erick to it, baited with corn beef tied to
a 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 beaming fsom his copn-
tenance. Not any.
Then we pulled gently on the line; it
was fast Tige yanked and pulled-but
twas no psp,
We quickly slid down the tree-almost
blistering our back doing it-seized our
pole, and straightway went thence some
what lively,
We found eur 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 his cohorts, male and
female, move slowly, as if in no haste.
We saw them look Viz in the tree. We
saw an anxious crowd engaged about the
log. We came quietly home, and kindly
eft the bass hook and line to the farmer.