Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-09-24


regular maniac for lishing?"
"Rather" replied Charlie. "He
takes holiday about three times a
week on purpose to fish. Iestarts off
after breakfast with big hamper and
sits in punt until evening. Still
now he's got this wretched steam
launch, l expect he'll off with the old
love and on with the new. But what
has fishing to do with the subject in
hand?"
"Never you mind just now," answer
ed his friend, "but you find out from
Miss Thornton when her father next
intends to 60 out in his punt, and
where he's likely to be, and then send
me telegram to Charges street, and
III tell you what to do"
Charlie had such implicit faith in
Jack Raggles' ingenuity that he went
home that evening in comparatively
happy frame of mind.
He wrote to Doris the first thing the
next morning, and in the evening got
reply to the effect that Mr.. Thornton
was already making preparations for a
long days fishing upon the Wednesday
loving. He telegraphed immediate
ly to Jack Raggles, and received the
following reply:
keep close to him, but out of sight.
at about 6 o'clock in the evening"
Charlie wondered what on earth his
friends scheme could be, but resolved
to obey instructions. He knew very
well that Mr.. Thornton's happy hunt
ing ground vas a secluded back water,
famous for tench and perch, couple
Of hundred yards above the lawn of his
house. Thither he repaired, steathily,
like man bent upon an evil errand, at
about 5 o'clock, and took up position
upon rough riverside path, well-nigh
hidden from sight by bushes and foliage,
whence he could observe the enthu-
siastic old fisherman without being
seen himself. The old gentleman was
sitting like a wax figure in his punt,
with large cigar in his mouth and
rod in hand, when Charlie arrived.
So completely absorbed was Mr.. Thorn
ton in his sport that regiment might
have filed behind him without attract
ing his notice. Charlie watched him
until q distant church clock chimcd
the quarter to six.
He then saw the old gentleman take
out his watch, look at it attentively,
and after few moments hesitation
slowly and reluctantly begin to pack
up his rod and line and put his
paraphernalia together.
Charlie began to get anxious. What
ever plan Jack Raggles concocted
would have to be carried into execution
quickly, or it would be too late.
At last Mr.: Thornton had arranged
his tackle and united the punt-poles
and was pushing off into mid.steam.
Charles heart sank, but he crept
swiftly forward to little promontory
to watch the old gentleman faithfully
according to instructions, until six
o'clock.
Mr.. Thornton, being old and obese
punted slowly and with difficulty, and
as the clock struck six he had not yet
got out of shallow water. So intent
was Charlie, however, in looking at
him, that he did not perceive the dark
outline of a steam launch coming di-
rectly down upon the punt, and he was
only made aware of the fact by seeing
the old gentleman wave one arm vigor-
ously and by hearing him shout Justify
at the same time that he endeavored
to get his unwieldly punt back out of
the way. But it was too late, the bow
of the launch went gently against the
punt, though with sufficient force to
tilt it up, with which movement the
poor old stockbroker was sent founder
ing into the water, yelling madly as he
went.
Quick as thought Charlie dashed in.
The water was fortunately barely up
to his waist, so he seized Mr.. Thornton
under the arms, and after much splash
ing and shouting and fuss, got him
first into the punt and then onto the
steam-launch.
Directly Mr.. Thornton felt himself
en- his feet he burst into violent
passion, which was in no way appeased
by tho approach of Jack Ragglcs
whom he did not know, with the mos
admirable expression Of contr.tion in
his face, and the words, "l'm sure I'm
awfully sorry, sir" on his lips.
"Sorry, SIR roarcd the old gentle
man, go You ought to be, sirl con
slider it positively iniquitous and abon