Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-16
miscellaneous.
JOE'S HEAVY CATCH.

The stream that Daniel Webster loved
was famous for trout. and he was famous
tor Catching them. Often he would sit for
hours ON moss-covered stone in retired
nook, his line dangling in and above the
water. but never "A bite, aud ii there had
oeen the fish was safe, for he was entirely
unconscious of all around aud about him.
Ons warm and sultry morning in Juiy,
while thus absorbed. he was aroused by
hearing over the stream: "Hullo. there
hullo. say! How are YEP Nice morning
his F.! Got amy fish? Have any bite. How
dye get over there ? | We been fishing two
hours; nary bite. l see you have long
boots on; wharil you take to carry me
overP Don't want 10 get my feet wet. I'll
pay you well whal'il you take p'' Gre =
Here he paused long enough for Mr..
Webster, who had all this tune been sur
veyng the speaker (a slight-built, dandi-
fled ,oulh). to ask: What will you
give?" .ts
i, P" 77l'
well, yes; ! suppose it is.' T odI
So, quietly laying down his rod, he took
his way to our Boston boy, Joe d., who.
by the way, was as good fellow as ever
sold tape; he was now on a three days 4
furlOugh, and bound to crowd all the fish,
ing, sea-balhlng, and sightseeing seasons
into the allotted three days time, and one
was rapidly passing away. Mr.. Webster
seated himself on the bank, Joe mounted
his shoulders, and like Caesar, whom Cas-
sius from the raging Tiber bore, so Joe
upon the god-like shoulders safely crossed
the stream. The quarter quickly changed
hands. MIR. Webster quietly settled into
his accustomed seat, while Joe. on further
pleasure bent, hastened up the stream.
Tired and hungry, he returned rather
late for dinner, and passed into the din
ing hall, where the guests were engaged
in the last act of the drama. Our Bosto-
man, however, fell to with an appetite
sharpened by his morning exercise, and
with u full determination TO make up with
speed What he had lost in time. So intent
upon his own affairs was he that he took
no notice of those around the table, until
some one requested Mr.. Webster to re-
late his morning adventures. Joe looked
up. and followed with his own the direc-
tl"n ot all other eyes, he beheld his morn
ing Eneas. Turning to his nearest neigh
oor. he asked, "Who is that P"
THAT Why, that's Daniel Webster"
He found no further use for his knife
and fork, and was silently leaving the Ia
BILE, when Mr.. Webster now recognized
him; with look or nod (Joe could
never tell which,, he detained him and
requested him to take wine. joe took
the wine with trembling hand, and with
look OF earnest eutreaty, begged Mr..
Webster not to relate the circumstance
which occurred in the morning.
Mr.. Webster replied: You should not
be ashamed OF the adventure, since there
is no young man in this country. how
ever lofty his aspirations. that will be
likely to attain the position you occupied
this morning"
Joe lett the table and the house, and on
the first train lett the town, satisfied he
had ne enough for one season. In the
evening, Mr. Webster related the whole
affair TO the assembled guests, and to this
day Joe enjoys the sobriquet Of Dam
Golden hute.