The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-11-16

u imagine the dazcl expression n
that youthful celebrity whom the cal
kicked-presumably the same boy whc
let the bird 60. ] have not indulge,
very extensively in teasing children
since I almost severed the left thuml
with a'keen.pointed barlow in imita
ton Of feint | had seen made Of
plunging a knife into a boy, and | aid
ed Isaac in disentangling his line with
out an intimaiion that I remembered
his Introductory observations.
Isaac was himself, after half dozen
more Intellectual efforts TO hook the
bait-stealer. and naturally referred hi.
disgrace to the hook, in which ]
agreed, aud proposed that he hurry to
the spring and bring me bucket Of
fresh water whilst | put on a good
hook. The water was at my side by
the time | had strung my first fish, a
half pound goggle-eye, and looped a
choice Kirby to his line.
A handsome sunfsh rewarded Isaac's
industry at the next jerk, and 81
knowed that couldn't ketch nuthin'
with that burned old ny hook" was ut,
tered with the exultation of Hugs
first II told you So" About an hour
after we had taken position the Judge
joined his namesake and myself, and
informed us that Mack had a pair Of
fifteen.inch black bass on his string
when he left him.
He confdentially informed me that
the vigor with which the first pulled
out the line and made the click buzz,
excited the old angler of 40 years ex-
perience into a tremor, which culmi-
mated in case of regular old-fashion-
ed buck ague when the game
was hooked and began fighting valiant
ly for liberty; and that the second was
transferred 10 the string at theexpense
Of recurrence of the.agu in mod
flied form. As we were half a day
journey from an ice-house, and had
before sunset captured as many as
could be consumed at supper and
breakfast, we pulled up" and reach
ed the house in time to dress our fish
and have a dish served at supper. The
hostess kindly inquired in what man.
ner we preferred them cooked. but
that was left to her convenience and
discretion, and within half an hour OF
the time the first fish was taken from
the strings, killed and dressed, We
were summoned to'a meal. whose ap
petizing features need no further elab
Grafton to a Kentucky fisherman thar
mention Of the dishes: Fish hot, liter
ally drowned to a turn" warm, short
hoe-cakes; hot, amber.colored coffee
whose aroma would be favorably con
spicuous in collection.of handker
chief extracts; firm yellow butter
cold sweet milk, whose relationship t.
cream was not traditional, and transpa
rent honey in the comb The ips
DIRT of some responsible acquaintance
who has been there, would scarce sui
fee to convince us that the fablet
feasts Of the gods were more delicious
ly tempting to a mortal than our frs
supper on Middle Fork. Oblivious o
forenoon hardships, jolts and fatigue
the hours till ten o'clock glided by il
enjoyment of the reed and our host
recital Of numerous exploits of fores
and stream.
In the early years of his residence
there he not infrequently brought in I
black bear as a trophy of the hunt
and deer were as plentiful as squirrel
are nov. The hear, beaver and pan
ther are no longer found, but wildcats
foxes, raccoons and turkeys are plen
tiful; a deer can be started almost AM
day within two or three miles, and al
otter is occasionally captured upon tn,
river bank. Till the passage of on
State fish law, and conseqent remova
Of traps and nets, the natives relied
principally upon them for their sup
plies of fish; but the law is scrupu
lously observed. and pole aud jug
fishing are the only modes practiced.
Wednesday morning we were VI
with the dawn, good as new from 4
nights refreshing sleep on beds Of
down, between immaculate sheets, and
the rising sun found us acting upon
the carly-bird theory, after paying our
hostess the gratifying compliment to
her breakfast Of leaving little or moth
ing for the cook and walters. Twas
eight o'clock before the first alarm wa,
sounded, and Hig declared that he
was convinced of the correctness OF
the Judges advice 10 wait till the
morning sunshine touches the stream
before pushing off, and should certain
ly not outrage Somnus by sprin ging
from that feathery paradise next NOR.
ming at the first cock-crow.
There were but two dug-outs within
our reach, both OF which were kindly
placed at our disposal, but they wer,
a. 4 A