Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-05-28
Dulling for Trout.

UlluSo Aluu Springs, Ill Virginia., Welo
crowded with distinguished visitors from
all parts of the South, who came there
principally to drink of the health-giving
waters. The town of Lexington, seven
teen miles distant, always sent its quota
on special occasions, such as ball nights.
concerts, and excursion days, to Jordan
Springs, ten miles south. Among the
many who represented the college town at
the springs. and who were sure to be there
the latter part of every week. were John
Letcher. a me.aber of Congress at that
time, and T. j. jackson, a Professor in the
| Virginia Military Institute. These two
! gentlemen were constant and steadfast
friends then and in the squally days that
came after, and their chief amusement
| while at the Rock Alum was derived
from the pleasure OF rolling ten pins-a
game both gentlemen were very fond Of
Ihe alleys were situated on the edge of a
1 creek bearing the name Of the springs, and
at the bottom of the towering Mill Noun
tain and herein honest John Letcher and
the modest Professor enjoyed themselves
in an Innocent way.
The principal hotel in Lexington was
i Kept by Wag named Mann, a jolly good
fellow, a prime favorite with the students
and most of the townspeople, and always
ready to bet on any poikt there was the
slightest dispute about. This latter talent
OF his was the magnet that drew the young
/, students to Mann's Hotel; and one even
| Ing. while party was sitting in the capa-
| clouS Cfflce, the subject Of trout fishing
was preached, and as it Is we'll known that
Rockbridge Alum Creek, two or three
miles above the springs, was alive with
those delicate fish, the conversation natur-
ally drifted to that spot, and great were
the stories told in regard to it. Among
the many exaggerations, Bill Mann said
he had caught eighty trout in one hour in
said creek, and could perform the said feat
over again. This was pooh-poohed, OF
course, and resulted in student offering
to bet dinner for ten that such q fishing
feat was impossible. stating that he was
/ willing to lose the wager If Mann would
bring back eighty trout aad give him his
word and honor that said fish were taken
out Of the water in the space of an hour
Now, tbs fact is that Bill Mann never per-
formed what he said he had, but spelling
| for bet of some kind che throw out this
proposition as a bait and getting bite.
was bound in self-defsnce to try TO win.
The following day Bill Mann hitched up
his team OF trottegs, and after ride of a
few hours duration arrived at the Rock
Alum Springs, and after registering his
name he meandered out to make q call on
| Charley Hunt, to whom he revealed the
secret of his sudden visit. HUT vowed
| that he could not assist him, but advised
| HIM to make call o. John Leteher, who
was then in the ten pin alley. Hither
Mann repaired, and was greeted on his en-
trance with Virginia welcome, and invi-
ted to take part in the game then going
on, which he accepted, and during one of
the breathing spells between strikes and
''spares'' Mann told the Congressman of
his mission, ard asked his assistance and
advice in the matter; but John Letcher
referred him to L. j. Jackson, saying,
professor, Bill Mann has come over from
Lexington for the purpose OF winning
wager by catching eighty trout in one hour
and as you are q devoted follower of Wal
ton, perhaps you may be able to tell him in
what part Of the creek trout are SO plenty
that they will nibble at the rate Of eighty
to the hOur.'
The modest Professor was very seldom
known to laugh; but this speech, coming
from his intimate friend Le:cher. made him
smile, as he was never known to fish, and
knew no more about Rock Alum Creek
except that part near the springs. where
trout would only live long enough to run
the blockade on their way to the James
than a mar in New York, for fishing was
not his forte; and believing that honest
John intended a joke at his expense, he said
"Mr. Mann as for my being a disciple of
Walton, | give you my word, Sir that
never read his book in my life; but have
stood on the bridge and gazed ON the wa
ter for many moments, expecting to see
one of those silvery trout | have heard SO
much about in conversation at these
springs, and [ declare that I've never yet
seen one. The nearest approach TO a fish
that my eyes -beheld was what | would call
a water snake, and if those are the kind of
trout you are after, have no doubt but
what you will be able to find many. sir?'
This was said by Jackson in such sober
way that there was no doubt but what he
was in dead earnest, and more especially
SO as he was not given to joking; but the
afterWard renowned General was rot post
ed in regard to trout, as the sequel will
show.
Sitting in the alley, quiet inspector of
the interesting game, was Mark Lewis.
who was thoroughly informed on trout
fishing in the creek and the different
methods Of catching them Overhearing-
the conversation, and seeing that the gen
tlenan after trout did not find much con-
ISOLATION or knowledge in that quarter,
Mark stepped up say ing, II beg your par
don, gentlemen and, turning to Bill
Mann, continued, eff you are anxious to
get eighty trout in one hours fishing you
can do SO, sir; but [ request that you con-
tinue your game, and this evening, in
Charley Hunts, you shall know all about
the fiShing.'
This voluntary advice from stranger
seemed to be satisfactory to Mr.. Mann,
and the game of ten-pins went on until
nearly dusk, when the party went to their
respective rooms preparatory to supper.
There was at this time a professional
hunter named Hostetter at the springs in |
twofold capacity--as Snowman OF tt ain |
ed snakes in the day time, and a hunter OF |
bears by night. He was an odd charac- |
ter, who looked upon everything in the |
light of business; sporting as a pastime |
was secondary with him, but he knew the
favorite haunts of the deer, bears, and the
trout better than any person in that local
ity. To him Mark Lewis spoke Of the
conversation in the alley, and got his prom
Use not to mention his mode of catching
trout even if he was engaged by Mr.. Mann.
While Hostetter and Mark Lewis were
biting the end Of the last strawberry in
their julep, Bill Man entered, and after an
introduction and a few words of eXplana-
tion in regard to the locality where the
trout was abundant, an agreement was
entered into whereby Mann was to give
Hostetter ten dollars if eighty trout were
caught in one hour. Ten dollars to the
hunter was mountain OF wealth, and the
next morning he was on hand bright and
early. Bill Mann showed himself with a
fancy rod, silver reel and box containing
any number of different colored flies in his
hands; and at this novel appearance Mark
and the hunter naturally smiled: but the
secret of their smile they kept to them
selves, and as they logged along up the
banks of the creek the witty hunter kept
the other two in state of excitement by
his wonderful yarns about trout fishing
and hunting the 'svarmints'' that the |
above were full of. After
walk of two miles they came to spot
where the creek widened into large pond
or small lake, the water of which was as
nIoar orucfa1 and tha rirohlo .6,h |