Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-08-25
A Fisherman's Story.

| We were travelling on grounds we
had no right on. The only excuse was
like that ofa military necessity.-it was
far better fishing through the farms
where the trout had been preserved,
than IN lot where all could fish.
1t was early in the morning. We
had risen at three, ridden ten miles and
struck the creek as the trout were
ready for breakfast. Looking carefully
for sheltered place to hitch our horses.
we shyly crept on behind fences, until
we reached the part of the creek not
generally fished. A farm house stood
about quarter of mile away. We
saw the morning smoke curling lightly
from a stovepipe; saw man and two
boys coming out to do chores; saw
woman busy about the door, and a fe-
rocious bull dog wandering about the
yard.
If we ever 6shed 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
basket was full.
This was the time to have gone, but
the trout were so large and bit so read
lily that we decided to string and hide
what we had and take another basket
ful. 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 the dog. Sud
denly there was rushing through the
Outfield as if a mad bull was coming.
We looked toward the house and saw
the farmer and his two boys on the
fence, the woman in the door and the
dog bounding toward US. We saw all
we had been discovered The we'll
trained dog had been sent to hunt us
out, and as matters appeared, it was
safe to bet that he was doing that
thing very 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 tree, and by great
activity, took a seat on a limb Just
above his reach. Here was a precious
go! A vicious ball dog under the 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, Tige!''
Tige 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, how
ever you can go now. Watch him,
Tige."
We surmised trouble; quite too
much, for twice had that bold man of
bull dogs and agriculture elegantly
wolloped innocent tourists for being !
seen on his suburban premises. His
reputation as a peace man was not
good, and there arose large heart to-
ward our throat.
Time is the essence Of contracts, and |
the saving of trouble. We had
stout line in our pocket, and large
hook intended for rock bass, we failed
to take trout. And as luck would
have it, we had a nice sandwich and
a 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 limerick to it, baited with corn
beef, tied it to limb and angled for
dog. Tige was in appetite. He swal-
lowed it, and sat with his eyes on US
for more; but with no friendly look
beaming from his countenance. Not
any.
Then he pulled gently on the line
i was fast. Tige yanked and pulled;
but twas no use!
We quickly slid down the tree-al-
most blistering our back doing it
seized our pole and straightway went
hence somewhat lively.
We found our string of fish, and
reached the buggy and commanding
spot 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 up the tree.
We saw an anxious crowd engaged
about the dog. We quietly came home,
and kindly left the bass hook and line
70 the farmer.