The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-12-24

for the first row and fishing excursion on
Lake Helen. and in one hours time brought
in two bass, the largest of which measured
two feet five inches long, eight inches wide
and four inches thick, weighing fourteen
pounds (pretty good for first blood; so our
worthy hostess, Miss n. d. Wyatt, of As
bury Park, \. j.. concluded to give us a
grand fish bake. which opportunity came off
at noon on Saturday, when the first arrival of
the Tally HO' COACH loaded down with pas
sengers and luggage from cabin to deck, drew
up wltha good accompaniment of barouches
and buggies from DeLand headed by Capt.
Minot, manager of Parceland and Harlan
hotels, and Mr.. ii. A. DeLand. Our latch
string was out at full length and all received
a hearty welcome; but, unfortunately, with
them came furious northeastern, which
drove all to shelter for one hour, during
which time we were all summoned to a
sumptuous dinner, and some forty odd epi-
cures participated, among whom were:
II. A. DeLand, III. G. Strack, c. w. Sullivan,
DeLand; G. r. Deland, Fairport, N. y;
Mrs. Steadman and Miss Addie Steadman,
Owego, N. y; o. w. Brown, Mansfield, Ohio;
.. I; Hurlbut, Fairport, n. "; Z. Boards
ley, Rochester, N. y. Geo. +, Ruse, Phila,,
Pa. Mr. and Mrs. l. p UI,son Spring Gar
den; b. II. Wright, DeLand; +, 7. Ward,
Auburn, n. Y; Z. w. Atwater, Fairport, n
T.; Capt; J. H. Dates, Rochester, N. Y.
After the yiands were fully discussed and
the Contemporaries laid in pro bono pub
llco, and the usual toasts and speeches were
elaborated, we came forth to view the sun
peeping out to welcome us. Forthwith TO
the lake we hied, and shortly canopied
smacks and the swift sailing craft, the Cyg
nus, belonging to Mr.. Wright, were cast
adrift, and for the first time Helen resound-
ed with the hilarious echoes Of the Sylvan
waters of We ancient times. We had not vet
fathomed her depths or explored and ex-
tolled her resources, when Mr.. Snow mot
the northern snow we left behind us) sailed
beside one of his previously laid lines, and
10 and behold, out came another bliss, nearly
as fine as his previous catch, weighing nearly
thirteen pounds, which all beheld with piscsi-
torial pride; but all things must have an
end and this one ended by listening to the
ode of Col. Craig on Lake Helen. thtlsly
Hail fairest Lakelet, Volusia's pride.
With stranded beach of pearly sand,
Though unused to ebb OF How of tide.
Hath waited long our craft to ride,
Nor ever dreaming Of our DeLand
But 10, thy bosom heaves with iov
10 see our shining sails thy bosom Ter;
Or willing Lands with paddle toy,
Our idle moments to employ
BY gathering lilies by the shore.
| With calm composure see Nimrod there,
| Whose artless guile you might coniure,
| With bated breath. and hook to cnsnare
| The wiley fish. devoid of care,
| Who rushes forth his prey to secure
Ha, ha we see, the work so quickly done,
! A nudge, a jerk, and all secure
| n hearty pull, all, here comes in the fun
See from the shore, how AN doth run
| To welcome loud the joyous amateur.
oh generous Helen, we now award the praise.
Well gather on thy banks to drink thy
i wealth;
And when We've spent our numbered days
Let Others seek thy charming, joyful ways,
And love thy treasures for their health.
Sincerely yours, ,INo, b. Craze.
r. S.--The curious part of the last catch by
| Mr.. Snow. was that the hook was baited with
brim which was taken bya catfish, and the
bass swallowed both and could not get off
by reason of the horns of the catfish pene-
trating his flesh and projecting backwards
]. b. C..