The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-01-18
OUR STORY TELLER.
LIVELY BOYS.

LIVELY BOYS.
In a few minutes, after bidding Bill
goodbye, they were on the packet,
drifting down stream with the slack
tide; for there was not breath of air
stirring. The way was long to River
town, and promised little of interest to
the young voyagers. The river was
very beautiful, bordered by deep woods
and majestic rocks, whose dark shadows
lay upon the waters; but they did not
care much about such things They
would talk for moment to people in
boats, make signals to any one they
might see on the shore, shout to hear
their voices echo among the rocks; but
boys are impatient, and so they were
bored on board the packet. There was
little cabin in the "Sally Ann" (Which
was the vessels name), and they went
down into it to see what it was like. 1t
was little close place, with two small
holes in the stern for cabin-windows
and shelf each side, on which, if hard
put to it, one or two might sleep. The
boys stretched themselves on these
shelves, and looked out dismalIy over
the still water far behind.
There was an elderly passenger, who
was also annoyed by the slow movement
OF the boat. He had grown tired of
viewing the scenery, and thrown his
magazine one side, and now asked the
skipper if he had fishing line on board
One of the men opened little closet
near at hand, and produced line; aud
then, as there was no other bait, he
brought piece of fat pork to put on
the hook. Thus provided, the gentleman
threw over his line, the sinker on which
being heavy, it sank quickly to the bot
tom, the tide keeping in place Then
the fisher began the customary per-
Torrance of pulling the line up and
down, keeping the sinker little way
from the bottom, and posing it so the
least nlbble might not escape him. There
is nothing thae pleases lazy man so
much as this kind of fishing-of course,
If he catches anything; and, when he is
too old to carry pole all day through
bog and brier, it is just the kind to
taper off with" and brag about like
an old Nimrod. So he fshed.
What's thatf' said Sim in a whis-
per, as he saw the line drop into the
water. +
Somebody's fishing, guess, " replied
Ike, who had been about half-asleep.
He can't catch anything"
No, of course not.
1 don't believe he'll get a bite"
Nor l."
After waiting a minute Ike said,
Say, Sim, s'pose. we give him some
bitesp'
"How?'' asked Sim.
"Ill'show you"
Suiting the action to the word. Ike
reached out of the little window, took
hold of the line, and gave it gentle
witch. Up went the line, hand over
hand, very rapidly, and they heard a
voice say, "'Twas splendid bite.'
Bite him again, Ike, as soon as he
gets his line down." said Sim, laughing
at the fun of the thing.
I'll give him a bigger one next
time" said Ike.
Down went the inc; and it was pulled
up and down nervously for a minute.
when, reaching out again, Ike gave it
smarter jerk. Again it was pulled in
swiftly; and the boys were conyulsed
with laughter, but kept as still as they
could, so that they might not be heard
Didn't catch him that time" said
Ike.
never had more positive bite, y
they heard the fisher say. at must
have been tautog: they always seem
to shut their jaw right down on the
bait"
The skipper did not think it could be
a tautog, because none had ever been
caught in the river; but it might be
some heavy cod which had come into
the river to feed on the muscles at tn e
old bridge, further up.
Down went the line again, and it was
drawn up and down as before; but the
boys waited fully five minutes before
they touched it,.
Now, Ike, give him halibut bite"
said Sim. 80
This time Ikegave more determined
phil, with the same result; when, think
ing they had carried the joke far enough,
they crept ont ON deck, where they
found the fisherman in state of great
excitement, trying again for bite, and
disappointed that he could not get
another one, declaring that he never
had finer bites in his life. The boys
chuckled to themselves, butsaid nothing
The old gentleman at last discon-
tinued trying, but left his line hanging
over the stern. A breeze sprang up, the