Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-05-12
:" BY HOOK OR BY CROOK
Sy Augusta de Bubna.

his rapid walk, and looked impatiently
round at his interlocutor.
well, what is it, Doctor I'm in a
furious hurry, bound for the early train
north.' -E--
"Where are you going in that gear
all booted and spurred' with glance
at the gear and fishing tackel.
"0h, it's professional curiosity, not
business then, that prompts your i'll
quiry ?" returned the young man, with |
laugh. "Well, if you must know, Fin
of for weeks holiday going up to
Purdy's pond fishing bound for good
time"
"a good time, literally by hook or
crook ell ~
eyes, wish me good luck :"
"With all my heart. They say there
are some nice girls up at Puidy's. |
hope you may meet your fate or your
fortune"
''Combine the two and I'll thank you;
but good bye" and the young man
hurried on to the station.
Purdy's pond was pretty little sheet
of water lying up among the hills OF
Berkshire, near small village. 1t pos
sessed tine reputation both for its fish
and pretty maidens but as it was the
scaly inhabitants of the pond alone,
whose acquaintance Bert Hammond was
DESTROYS Of making, his doctors words
made no impression upon him.
Pretty girls here, Bert" said his
friend Hal Whyte to him that evening,
as they sat smoking their cigars out on
the hotel porch; "but man has to
angle as patiently for II look at one of
them as he does for 4 fish i'll the pond
one is as shy as the other.9.
"Well, as | only have hooks of steel
with which to angle, and not much in
the way of bait, | dare say my chances
are small-in regard to the maidens.'
+" Don't know about that, Bert; you re
a pretty sharp fellow, so maybe you IL
make a big haul; they tell me there's
an heiress visiting the Squire; | haven't
seen her yet, although Eve been ON the
watch for days. I've failing for heir
esses, you know shant marry any other
sort maybe we'll see her before we
leave.h
ooh, bother the girls; | came up here
to fish and don't intend to play the
gallant hOnme.
''Oh, you wish to appear in the
character of The Lone Fisherman, Ell !
Well, won't mention the fair sex
again.N
The pond lay glittering in the summer
sunlight like a sheet OF mail when the
two friends started on their tramp next
morning. A group Of alders skirted tile
edge of the water near where they seated
themselves, preparatory to going out i'll
the small boat.
''rhere is something delightful in
country life, said Bert dreamingly look
ing of toward the wheat fields 81 wish
was Il farmer always feel like a
different man out . town when
marry believe FL choose a country Cir
and settle down into regular farmer.
''Pshaw | prefer an heiress bu
here leave off your reveries Of bachelor
and lend hand at this tackimg, auc
jump into the boat. ...e=
Bert oheyed, and they pushed off fron
shore.
They were soon playing their lines, an,
awaiting nibbes and bites when a shril
shrek from the direction Of the aide
bushes startled them, aud looking bacl
they saw two white arms wayin
frantieally, and figure in blue struggl
ing and splashiug in the water near tlt
bank
In All instant they dropped their lines
''tiold fast to that crooked bougL
moment longer and We'll reach You,
shouted Bert.
"oh dear, | cant p gurgled the vote,
Come quick and save me or | shall l
drown-dead ~
Bert leaned over the hoat-side dis
: engaged the blue skirts from the iagge
branch took the little white hands in Ii
and dragged his very wet and mudd
burden into the boat.
''Not exactly what We anged for,
whispered Hal Whyte soto o9ce.
sob dear, I'm SO sorry, and wet, IN
cold, shivered the girl, with teeth cha
tering. 81 came over to gather son
water lilies, you know, and lost IL
balance
yes" warily replied Bert, chatting IL
wet little hands, and looking his admir-
tion at the pretty dripping undine.
'tHere, take a drink Of this, 81
Hal, handing her a pocket flask. 49,
what will / drink it out OFF, inn
Gently asked the girl, opening her bl
eyes very wide. ..- ..--
~ "Oh, all--why We always drink it so
and Hal made a motion of tipping up Il
flask.
''Do you Oh p and the golden he
went back and 'it'' went down We
round white throat. ugh it's perfect
horrid. Why it's bitters, isn't it
burns like lire.'
"Eh well, yes, it's JtterS, but it "
prevent your taking severe cold, " ]
piled Hal, choking down laugh.
But, | want to 60 home now: plea
take me home p and She turned to 81
as her deliverer.
Certainly" said Bert but
where do you live ~
sob, dear why, l'm~-I live at SOU
Goldsmith's, and if you'll take me do
to those big elms, can run right up
the garden gate"
Hem a gold fish, as | live, Bert
whispered Hal, again pokiug his co
paniou in the ribs.
Goldsmith -
"GoidSmid's p esquire Cio
SMITHS corrected the little beau
family catching sound Of Ha
words. g Don't you know where
lives Oh, dear, | am so sorry to trou
you, and I'm so cold and muddy" wit
srimsGe at sight of her dainty ruilles
you will only take me home quick, v
be so much obliged -
Just as quick as We can, ] ASST
you, my -shem-my friend and [, W
You must go directly to your room a
change your wet clothes Immediately,
you will he ill. The water is very colo
answered Bert, considerably.
"Thank you I'm ever so much oblil
to you for your kindness, gentlemen
said the girl, speaking plurally but lo
ing singularly, directly into Bert's wal
brown eyes and if You knew
uncle, Squire Goldsmith, am sure
would be glad to thank you as well I"
They had reached the big elms II,
and as Bert helped her out of the be
she gave him her hand with blush
said individually, not generally t
time.
THANK you very much, indeed, :" ;
gathering her olinging wet garme
about her disappeared.
Well, | declare' cried Hal Why
as they rowed back to the middle OF
pond " if this don't beat all. Here Ii
| been up here for weeks trying my |
to meet the heiress and havn't even S
her shadow, and if her very substa
don't fall plump into your arms the t
morning of your arrival I"
Of course, it would be but humane
say nothing of its being polite, for
gentleman to call at Squire Goldsmith