New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-16
a FI.HRHMAN's STORY
Angling for a Dog.

Angling for a Dog.
We were travelling on ground we had
NO right on. The only excuse was like
that OF military necessity-it was far bet
ter fishing through the farms Where the
trout had been preserved, than IN open
lots where all could fish.
It 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 a shell
tered place 10 hitch our horses, We slyly
crept on behind fences, etc., till we reach
ed the part Of the stream not generally
fished. A farm house stood not quarter
of a mile away. We saw the morning
smoke curling lightly from a stove-pipe;
saw man and two boys come out to do
chores; saw woman busy about the door,
and ferocious bulldog wandering about
the yard.
If ever we fished close it was then. Not
whisper to disturb the birds or the
owners of the land. We crawled through
the grass and lodged behind clumps of
alders, lifting large speckled beauties out
of the water until our baskets were full.
This was the time to have gone; but the
trout we're 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, theman, the boys and
the dog. Suddenly there was rushing
through an oatfield, as if q mad bull was
coming We looked toward the house.
and saw the farmer and his two boys on
fence, the woman in the door, and the dog
bounding toward us. We saw it 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
that he was doing that thing right lively.
To outrun the dog was not to be thought
of. There was no time to lose. He cleared
a fence and came for US just as we reached
o tree, and by great acticity took front
seat on limb above his reach. Here was
a precious 90. A vicious bulldog under
the tree, and the farmer and 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, Tigei !"
Tige proposed TO do that little thing, and
keeping his eyes upon Us, seated himself
under the tree.
Then spoke this ugly farmer man: Just
hold on thar, stranger, till we get break
fast: then we will come and see you. II
you are in hurry. however, you can go
now. Watch him, Tige!"
We surmised trouble; quite too much,
for thrice had that bold man Of bulldogs
and agriculture elegantly walloped limo.
cent tourists for being seen on his subur-
ban premises. His reputation as q peace
man was not good, and there arose large
heart toward our throat.
Time is the essence of contracts, and
the saving ordinance of those in trouble.
We had a stout line in our pocket, and a
large hook intended for rock bass, if We
failed to take trout. And as good luck
would have it we had got nice sandwich
and piece Of boiled corn beef in our
other 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 it with the corn beef, tied
the end Of the line to limb, and angled
for dog!
Tige was in appetite. He swallowed il,
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-it
was fast Tige yanked and pulled. but
twas of no use!
We quickly slid down the tree-almost
blistering our back doing it-seized our
pole and straightway went thence some.
what lively.
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 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 came quickly home and kindly left the
bass line and hook to the farmer.