The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-05-14

l.
ness that somebody in my presence
had mentioned Sunbury, and some
body else Newbury, as the scene OF
my exploit and that | had not con-
tradicted them. However, my NOR
al sense was by this time so far pre-
verted that NOW | knew Tenbury
was the spot | was fully prepared
to maintain that | had always said
Tenbury. One expression puzzled
me. What on earth was spinning
in connection with pike? 1t unfor-
tunately happens that if there is one
subject about which l know less
than any other it is angling. My ex-
periences as a fisherman are limited
to the fact that when | was boy OF
eleven or thereabouts / spent all my
available pocket money (three-and-
sixpence, | think it was) in brand
new rod and line. / uset. it perse-
veringly for about a week, but not
having caught anything except
colds | felt that it was locking up
capital to no purpose, and | accord
ingly swapped it away to another
boy for eighteen pence and dead
squirrel. What use l intended to
make of the squirrel | don't remem-
Der, but | know that was the price.
The above having been my first
and only experience in the fishing
line, ono joke is intended, the subject
is far too painful to be treated with
levity, y it will be readily understood
that my knowledge of the art was, to
say the least, elementary. However
one point was now clear L had
caught my monster fish by spinning
(whatever that may mean,) and
spinning | must stick to. The
mystery as to how the paragraph
appeared in the paper was still
unsolved. | referred to the Law
List" but could not find any Mar
maduke H. Jones, solicitor. 1t was
just barely possible that there was a
country practitioner of that name,
country solicitors only appearing
under the heading of their respective
towns, but after looking through all
Of the big towns could find 40 one
of nay own name except myself.
My first impression was doubtless
right, that the paragraph had been
inserted as hoax, and | smiled TO
myself as / thought how the en-
gineer had been hoist with his own
petard, his intended "joke" having
been received as substantial veri-
ty. But then another thought
crossed my mind, and made me ex-
tremely uncomfortable. Perhaps
this anonymous joker was only
biding his time. Perhaps he was
only lulling NE into a false security,
and, when he thought his ''joke"
had gone far enough, would write to
the paper again and say that Mar
maduke H. Jones did not catch the
big pike after all-and a nice sort of
position | should be in then No,
he had chosen to declare that | had
caught big pike, and / was by this
time more than half convinced of it
myself. If the story was not true,
why it ought to be true, and | was
determined that for all practical
purposes it should be true, made
up my mind that, come what would
| would stick to my fish. (The reader
will perceive that | was now becom-
ing hardened in crims) l felt that |
was now master of details. The pike
was "A pounds in weight he was
caught at Tenbury and he was
caught by spinning. Secure in this
knowledge | sailed forth with head
erect, feeling that | could not now
very well be caught tripping. But
pride comes before a fall Almost
the first person | met was an old
acquaintance, Jack Brodecrip.
Hulle, JONES'" he said, Il
haven't seen you since you caught
that big jack"
1t wasn't a jack | replied 8 it
was pike"
Well, pike is jack, isn't it ?"
he rejoined.
| began to stammer out something
in reply, when he continued:
" forgot, by the way. you swell
sportsmen only speak of four-pound-
ers and such small fry as Jack. l
apologize for alluding to yur big fish
so disrespectfully, but l assure you
it was quite unintentional. By the
way how did you catch him ? Live
bait, | suppose ?"
Live bait, of course" | hadn't a
notion on the subject, but as he
seemed SO cock sure, thought it bet
ter not to contradict him. Spinning,
you know"
Spinning" he exclaimed; with
live bait ! That's a novelty, isn't
it,"
Well, it isn't exactly general, "
said |.
IF you say it of course it must be
the thing to do. shall note that us
a wrinkle. but should think it was
rather awkward to work if it isn't
secret. how many hooks do you
have on your flight ?"
The question obviously implied
more than one. "Ch, about two, >
| said timidly.
Two hooks only All, two trian-
angles, you mean. Whose flight do
YOU use then? Pennel's, or Thamos'
or the Francis, or something OF your
own"
well. to tell the truth" (Which
it certainly wasn't "a little ar
rangement of my own."
Something special. sh ? Well, l
suppose these are professional Sc
crets, so mustn't pump you too
much. By the way, it was at Ten.
bury, | think, the event came off.
Now, whereabouts is Tenbury situa-
ted ?"
This was poser. Tenbury might
have been in Owyhee, for anything
| knew. / was obliged to make a
leap in the dark.
"Oh, Tenbury, you know. Down
Berkshire way"
Berkshire is it? Thought it must
have been Tenbury in Worcester
shire. There is Tenbury down in
Worcestershire, l am pretty sure.
| Tenbury in berkshire eh +? Good