Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-12-05


sudden earncstness.
Il know what III do, Katie!"
What Willie?'
Perhaps could catch some fish, and
il mother would roast them in the oven
maybe they would bc almost as good as
turkey for Thanksgiving. I've seen men
fishing from that wharf sometimes. l do
not know as they caught anything, but
may be they didn't try so hard as mean
to-
Where will you yet hook and line p
There are some old hooks in a box
mp stairs, and line; but don't tell. ka-
tie; don't tell anybody
What will you do for baity said the
little girl, who seemed to have grown
practical all at once.
I'm dig some CLANS answered Willie
that's what the men have
But the handles pulled out of the
hoe: you can't dig with it,
Then III dig with my hands, said
downright Willie, whose blood was up
at the thought of overcoming some OF
the minor difficulties in the way of a
Thanksgiving dinner. Don't you be
afraid, Katie if | can make the fish bite
I'm not a bit troubled about the rest of
it.
Can go with you, Willie!'
oh, no. 1t isn't nice place for a
girl-be-ides You would have to ask
mother. and want to surprise her.
Next morning. early, Willie put his
plan into execution. l won't stay to tell
how he grubbcd for the clans, which
seemed to have q wonderful power of
stretching their nccks, Judging from the
depth at which he found them below the
surface holes which showed him where
to dig,or what trials he had with the one
rusty hook. At last something tugyed
iuriously at the end of his line. Pulling,
with all his boyish strength, the line
came up with a sudden jerk, and Willie
came near going over back wards.
The line had parted
Willie drew it up, and stood looking
at ii rueiullv. His last hope was gone
he had no other hook.
An elderly gentleman, sitting on a
bench in the sun, partially sheltered
from the wind by an old wooden build
ing had been intently watching Willie's
doings for the last halt-hour.
What is It my boy ? he said approach
ing him Suddenly.
Willie looked up. The ~ "-~'. ...--.
wac ~.-;T..s. A;-- -~s very kindly
one, in spite of It's grey beard, aud curl
Gus wrinkles. The boy trusted him in
stamth. Il was irving TO catch fish.
We hadn't anything nice for Thanks
giving, sir. Now I've lost my hook. |
'.pose I've got to give it up Willie
turned away quickly = his voice was
failing him He would not wipe away
his tears. lest the gentleman should
know that he was CRYING, but stood
looking vigorously at the roof of the
building aforesaid, though there wasn't
a thing to be seen in that direction which
could interest boy in the least.
The old gentleman was shrewd.
Wal a minute he said. I've friend
up the wharf here who may lie able to
help ven out of your difficulty.
So saying. he walked up TO the door Of
rickety shop at the head of the wharf,
where he disappeared from view. After
conference with the owner, who knew
Willie. although the boy had never spo-
Ken 10 him, he returned with couple OF
fshhooks. Then he showed Willie how
to iasten one property to the line, aud
baitcd it ior him with great care.
Now my little fellow try your luck
again
Willie's thanks came from IA full heart
YOU may be sure. Before his new
friend quilted the wharf Willie caught a
] fish.
/, was growing cold, and the old a,Am
dared not stop longer in the piercing
wind. THANKSGIVING mornings are apt
! To lac chilly anywhere in New England, !,
and This was no exception to the gener-
N rule. Willie. after long and patient
effort, caught second fish, but though
lie thought three would be necessary, as
they were not large, lie concluded. as
the hands of the church clock were
pointing Twelve. that ii would not do TO
stop longer.
Ii WAS more than two hours since he
had his first bite, and even his vonng
blood was chilled, with sitting still so
long on the windy wharf, and his hands
were aching bitterly, as he rolled up
the wet line.
Fish aro .nch slow. creatures! he
said thuughttulIy. '!ont see why they
can't bite at one time AS well MS another ;
but I'm thankful for two-anyhOw. here
.oes." He ran up the street, and was
in fine glow when he burst into the
house.
'Mohcr!'-he stopped short, and With
prolonged whistle looked about him.
NhN Wo'NFAs tou SC Sot - au ACH.
4 smell i,--and r's just splendid!
The table was set out in tempting ar
RAY, quite like old times, and the turkey
was just then taking the final bastins
from his mother s hands, which was to
result presently in q delicious brown.
The room was full Of the savory sn,ell,
WHICH was very welcome to the boy,
who had brought keen appetite, as well
as pair of fish, from tine wharf.
His mother looked up smiling.
'Hurrah! exclaimed Willie, prsncing
about in the sudden JOY Of his heart and
quite forsetful Of the fish, which were
still dangling from his finger.
Where did you get thOse!
Caught them, mother, for our Thanks.
giving, but we shamt need them now
His mother laughed at his antics, bu,