The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1883-10-24
A. STRUGGLE WITH A FISH.
ADVENTURE OF A SKOWHEGAN
ATHLETE At THE SEASHoRE.
The Wager that lie Made with M Old
FishcrmnM-A Fish thu WOuldh't
BE Lifted.

Thu Wager that IHc Made with M Old
FisIcrmnm-A Fish that WOuldn't
BE Lifted.
4 Deer Island (Mc.) letter to the New
York SIM tells this humorous story OF Il
Young athletes adventure with an cleo
trio fish:
"You look like a likely hcftcr," said
an old fisherman in oilskins, who was
unloading Il doryful of mackcrcl, to Il
lusty young man in knickcrbOckcrs and
a white flannel shirt.
"YcS." replied the Young man: "Im
called pretty strong in the Skowhcgan
Athletic club"
Did YOU ever lift much fish," asked
the old fellow. throwing Il huge nctrulo Of
thinkers on the dock and looking his COM
wanion over with Il critical eye.
Il never saw the fish | couldn't hit.
The fisherman thrust his hand into his
pocket. from which. after Il violent stru@-
ole and much invrctivc. he hauled opt Il
very fiat, light leather pockctbook that
was closed with a strap and Il piece OF
rope warn. He took out Il clean tcn-dol-
lar bill and said: "Im going ON eighty
one year old next mister day. but I'll bet
ten dollars even YOU can't lift fish that |
can.
'.Whcrc's your lishI" asked Show
hogan.
"Wcll. I'll tell you. Here's Il fish,"
and he pokcd among the m%arkcrcl. and
pointed to il large. solid. skatc-likc fish
in the bottom of the dory. Lets sec;
its about five foot up to the dock. I'll
bet YOU the ten dollars you can't toss the
fish up there"
II don't want TO take your money, ,
replied the young man. magnanimouSIy,
rs :; number of spectators drew around.
'.but if you've got half Il dozen oftlcfish
string en- all together and give me some
thing worth doing. I've lifted 800
pounds before breakfast"
"Oll. yes. I've heard on you, said the
old man, somewhat warmly. "lou'rc
the man that ate Il piece of rubber hose
for breakfast and didn't find out il wasn't
sausage till somebody told You. See that
thumb NALL" he asked. holding up a
curious-looking stub with horny growth
upon it. swell. | sarvcd prentice oncr
to il boXmakcr. and used to put in all the
screws with that nail and pull EN- out
when they broke off with my teeth. You
know me. and I'll stick to it that YOU
can't hcavc the fish up to the dock, and
there the money
The ~Skowhcgan athlete thus called
upOn dcpOsitcd $40 with the owner of
the mackcrcl canning shop. who had
ioinc1 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 there" shouted the fish
tosScr. rolling up his sleeve. "This fish
might hit you, old min, and knock some
of the blow out Of YOU"
"IIcavc away" said the man in oil
skins, tipping Il wink at the crowd in
general.
The Young man now stepped into the
dory and pokcd away the thinkers (Srall
mackcrcD that were sliding about.
Standing on the edge of the boat he
stopped down, graspcd the skatc-llke
fish. and lifted. raising it about Il foot.
Then, uttcring a yell, he staggered Il
moment and fell with resembling splash
into the wafer, nearly capsizing the boat
in accomplishing the feat, which was re-
ccivcd with shouts of laughter from the
dock. the old fisherman fairly dancing Il
hornpipc on the rail.
"What's the matter with YOU" he
shouted, as the unfortunate athlete
scrambled into the dory again, swearing
like Il pirate. ''Trying to upset the
boat. arc YOU z
"Who struck me Some one gave me
Il knock on the neck just as | wa lift
ing"
Nonsense" said some one in tho
crowd. .'You wasn't touched"
"Ill take my oath | felt something
hit me. If this is il skin game | want to
know it." BracinG himself firmly in the
boat he again graspcd the fish in both
hands and raised it three feet, and then
fish. athlete and all went over backward
o the thinkers. Man. fish. oars and
balcrs were mixed up for Il moment. AT
last the Skowhcgan litter made Il break
for the dock. and once upon it, sank
down on a pile Of boards. lie was As
white rs a sheet and covered with scales
from head to foot.
send for the apothccary." he gaspcd,
as the men crowded round.
"Why. what's the matter with YOU!
GIVE had Il stroke whispered the
victim. 1.-THE minute stopped to lift
lcl, it a-runnin' ull over me. It's Ill oul
family. but I've GOT it bad" and here he
rubbed his arms and legs. 1T knocked
me clean of my feet" he added. land
my limbs felt like sticks. Scnl-:'
but here IL roar Of laughter broke from
the men, and one of them, Selling him
bv the arm. ,irrkcd him to his feet.
"You'rr ali right. my lad; only next
time don't 90 looling around old Amos.
He's Il hard nut"
"IIcrc'S your money sonny" sald tho
old man. holding out the bill, "you've
earned it,"
What do | mean" he continued.
..Whv. Jest this: You havn't had Il shock
of paralysis. You tried tcw hcft one OF
these torpcdcrs. They'll knock Il horse
if YOU take EN- right"
The athlete looked vacantly ahead.
took back his money, and left amid the
renewed laughter of the crowd.
"Nc1l have II yarn to tell the Showhc-
Gan folks" said the pcrpctrator of the
Joke. "but | do hate to hcara man blow.
and thought I'll take him down. Injured:
No, stree. He'll feel stiff for IN hour OF
so. but il won't harm him. I've been
struck by EN- IL hundred times, and its
no fun | can tell you. It's just like being
struck by Il mild stroke of lightning. |
don't generally touch 'cn, hut Il man
gave me il dollar TO fetch one in. so kept
it in the boat. They'll shock you right
through the net. When | WAS hauling in
the tinker seine this morning, knew |
had IA shocklish from the jerking of my
arms. The shocks come right up the wet
cording. 50 that sometimes you can't HANG
on anyhow. I've seen Il man who struck
one with an iron harpoon. thinking it Il
skate. Knocked down S o quick he never
knew what hit him.