The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-11-07
A STRUGGLE WITH A FISH.
ADVENTURE OF A sKowEEGAN
ATHLETE AT THE sEAsHoRE.
The Wager that He Made with an Old
Fisherman-A Fish that WOuIdnst
nc Lifted.

young dJuleJob huNenJure WIN an elcc-
trio fish:
"You look like likely hefter," said
an old fisherman in oilskins, who was
unloading a doryful of mackerel, to
lusty young man in knickerbockers and
white flannel shirt.
Yes" replied the young man; "Im
called pretty strong in the Skowhegan
Athletic club"
"Did you ever lift much fsh2n asked
the old fellow, throwing huge netful of
thinkers on the dock and looking his com
panion over with a critical eye.
never saw the fish 1 couldn't lift. :"
The fisherman thrust his hand into his
pocket, from which, after violent strug-
gle and much invective, he hauled out
very fiat, light leather pocketbook that
was closed with strap and piece of
rope yarn. He took out clean ten-dol-
lar bill and said: "rm going on eighty
one year old next muster day, but I'll bet
ten dollars even you can't lift fish that
can"
"Where's your fish," asked Skow-
hogan.
Well, I'll tell you. Here's fish"
and he poSed among the mackerel and
pointed to a large, solid, skate-like fish
in the bottom of the dory. Let's see;
it's about five foot up to the dock. I'll
bet you the ten dollars you can't toss the
fish up there"
81 don't want to take your money, :"
replied the young man, magnanimously,
as number of spectators drew around,
'but if you've got half dozen of the fish
string 'em all together and give me some
thing worth doing. I've lifted 500
pounds before breakfast"
ooh, yes, I've heard on you" said the
old man, somewhat warmly. "You're
the man that ate piece of rubber hose
for breakfast and didn't find out it wasn't
sausage till somebody told you. See that
thumb nail2" he asked, holding up a
curious-looking stub with horny growth
upon it. "Well, sarved prentice once
to boxmaker, and used to put in all the
screws with that nail and pull 'em out
when they broke off with my teeth. You
know me, and I'll stick to it that you
can't heave the fish up to the dock, and
there's the money"
The Skowhegan athlete thus called
upon deposited $40 with the owner OF
the mackerel canning shop, who had
joined the party, and went down the
ladder into the boat, while the old fisher
man climbed up on the dock to watch the
feat.
Stand back therel'' shouted the fish
tosser, rolling up his sleeve. "This fish
might hit you, old man, and knock some
of the blow out of you"
"Heave away" said the man in oil
skins, tipping a wink at the crowd in
general.
The young man now stepped into the
dory and poked away the tinkers (small
mackereD that were sliding about
Standing on the edge of the boat he
stopped down, grasped the skate-like
fish, and lifted, raising it about foot
Then, uttering yell he staggered a
moment and fell with resounding splash
into the water, nearly capsizing the boat
in accomplishing the feat, which was re-
ceived with shouts of laughter from the
dock, the old fisherman fairly dancing q
hornpipe on the rail.
"What's the matter with you z" he
shouted, as the unfortunate athlete
scrambled into the dory again, swearing
like a pirate. "Trying to upset the
boat, are you ~
"Who struck me Some one gave me
a knock on the neck just as was lift
ing"
q Nonsense" said some one in the
crowd you wasn't touched"
"rll take my oath 1 felt something
hit me. If this is skin game l want to
know it," Bracing himself firmly in the
boat he again grasped the fish in both
hands and raised it three feet, and then
fish, athlete and all went over backward
among the thinkers. Man, fish, oars and
balers were mixed up for moment. Al
last the Skowhegan litter made a break
for the dock, and once upon it, sank
down on pile of boards. He was as
white as sheet and covered with scales
from head to foot.
Send for the apothecary," he gasped,
as the men crowded round.
"Why, what's the matter with your
"Ive had a stroke" whispered the
victim. "'rhe minute stopped to lift
felt it a-runnin' all over me. It's in ouI
family, but I've got it bad, and here he
rubbed his arms and legs. "It knocked
me clean off my feet" he added, "and
lily llLlDo lClb 4AAC bNACh5s
but here roar of laughter broke from
the men, and one of them, seizing him
by the arm, jerked him to his feet.
"You're all right, my lad; only next
time don't go foOling around old Amos.
He's hard nut -
"Here's your money sonny" said the
old man, holding out the bill, "you've
earned it"
"What do 1 meangp he continued.
"Why, jest this: You havn't had a shock
of paralysis. You tried tew heft one OF
these torpeders. They'll knock horse
if you take 'em right"
The athlete looked vacantly ahead,
took back his money, and left amid the
renewed laughter of the crowd
"He'll have yarn to tell the Showhe-
gan folks" said the perpetrator Of the