Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-09-04

! OFT after breakfast with a Dig hamper
and a Jar of beer, anu sits in punt
until evening. Still, now he's got
/ this wretched steam launch, / expect
hell off with the old love and on with
the new. But what has fishing to do
with the subject IN handF
Never you mind just now, an
swereA his friend, "but you'fnd out
from Miss Thornton when her father
next intends TO 90 out in his punt, and
where he's likely to be, and then send
me a telegram TO Charges street, and
I'll tell you what TO do.
Charlie haa such implicit faith in
Tack Rsggles' ingenuity that he went
home that evening in a comparatively
happy frame Of mind.
lie wrote to Doris the FIRST thing the
next morning, and in the evening got
a reply to the effect that Mr.. Thorn
ton was already making preparations
for a long days fishing upon the
Wednesday following. lie telegraph
ed Immediately to Jack Raggles, and
received the following reply:
Keep close to him, but out of
sight, at about o'clock in the even
ing"
Charlie wondered what on earth
his friends scheme could be. but lc
solved to obey instructions He knew
very well that Mr. Thornton's happy
huntingground was a secluded back
water. famous for tench and perch,
about a couple of hundred yards
above the lawn of his house. Thither
he repaired, stealthily, like man bent
upon an evil errand, at about 5
o'clock. and took up a position upon
rough riverside path, well-nigh hid
den from sight by bushes and foliage,
whence he could observe the enthusi-
astic old fisherman without being
seen himself. The old gentleman
was sitting like a wax figure in his
punt, with a large cigar in mis- mouth
and rod in hand, when Charlie ar
rived. So completely absorbed was
Mr. Thornton in his sport that a regi-
ment might have defiled behind him
without attracting his notice. Charlie
watched him until a distant church
clock chimed a quarter to {
He then saw the old gentleman take
out his watch, look at it attentively,
and aster a few moments hesitation,
slowly and reluctantly begin TO pack
up his rod and line and put his
paraphernana together.
Charlie began TO get anxious.
Whatever plan Jack Raggles bad
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 holes,
and was pushing off into mid stream.
Charles heart sank, but he crept
swiftly forward TO little promontory
to watch the old gentleman faithfully
according to instructions, until 6
o'clock
Mr.. Thornton, being old and obese,
punted slowly ard with difficulty, and
as the clock struck 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 steain-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 vigorously, and by hearing him
shout Justify, at the same time that he
endeavored to get his unwieldy punt
back out of the way. But it was too
late, for the bow of the launch went
gently against the punt, though with
sufficient force to tilt it up, with
which movement the poor old stock
broker was sent iloundering into the
water, yelling madly as ne went.
Quick as thought Charlie dashed in.
The water was fortunately barely up
to his waist, so he seized Mr. Thorn
ton under the arms and, after much
splashing and shouting and fuss, got
him first into the punt and then on
board the steam launch.
The first person Charlie saw on
board was Jack Raggles, who behind
the stock brokers' back, was impress
ing silence and non-recognition by
energetic gestures.
Directly Mr.. Thornton felt himself
firmly on his feet, he burst into a vio-
lent passion, which was in no way
appeased by the approach of Jack
Raggles, whom ne did not know, with
the most admirable expression of
conuihou in his face, and the words,
I'm sure I'm awfully sorry, sir" on
his lips.
Sorry, sir" roared the old gentle
man, so you ought to be, sirl l
consider it positively Ubiquitous and
abominable that a man can't go out
\ for a days fishing without being run
into by lot of cockneys, who have
no more idea of handling a steam
launch than they have of handling a
balloon! And | shall take the very
earliest opportunity, sir, of laying the
matter before the authorities, in order
/ that such unwarrantable interference
vita The liberty of the subject may be
Immediately put a stop to. 1t Is
abominable, sir abominable"
Can put you ashore anywhere2'
asked Jack, deferentlally.
Yes, sir, you can, as soon as pos
Sjble, and before catch my death of
cold, replied the old gentleman. you
see those steps ahead SIR
Il do, replied Jack.
well, then, If you can see those
stems. how the devil was III that YOU