Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1885-10-10
SYD'S FISH.

ION put MS neau inlo inc llObie Dack
parlor, where sat the ladies of the
family. Syd-who had been growing
sleepy over her sewing for the last half
hour, with Belle writing love-letter
in the bay window; her mother yawn-
ing over her account book and Grand
ma Greyson, nodding over her knit
ting by the fire--hailed his advent
with delight.
"Syd!'
"Here Toni Whittier bound ?"
queried sgd, rising and putting her
work away
"To the lake." waving his fishing
tackle before her longing eyes. PRO
per cloudy day for fishing. Come
along, Sis!"
"Ail right, I will. ood-by, grand
ma. and here's a kiss Don't worry,
mother You needen't look so shocked,
Belle, for I've been an. angel all sum-
mer-haven't whistled for fortnight.
| will to-day, thought muttered sgd,
rebelliously, as she drew on her rubber
boots and buttoned her waterproof in
the hall.
Girls didn't go trapsin' off so when
| was young p and grandma shook her
head wisely over her knitting-needles.
Seventeen years DID," sighed Mrs.
Greyson, "and such romp"
"Too bad, for she can be little lady
when she tries p added Belle.
Meanwhile sgd, at once the'.pride
and torment of the family, with fishing
rod over her shoulder, was dashing
through TIE wli fields, in the direction
of the lake.
"How that girl does go.' muttered
Tom, who brought up the rear pant
ing and out of breath. "Sydl hold
on It's going to rain. Here's the
umbrel Hold on, say"
Sgd "held OF" accordingly, her
heir hopelessly down. Very pretty
was Sgd, especially with all that shin
ing hair over her shoulders, and not
at all "fast" looking either, though she
could fish, swim, play ball, row, ride
and shoot, as we'll as her brother Tom.
The two "sports" aimed for favorite
fishing station, sort of plateau. with
fringe of sturdy shrubs along the
edge over-hanging narrow strip OF
sandy shore. just beyond was deep
hole, where the big fishes of the lake
lay concealed.
"Stay here and fish, sgd, while | get
some more grubs. There amt half
enough bait"
Syd nodded, and Tom darted away.
The fair fisher viewed the wriggling
mass of worms in Toms tin cup with
evident disgust, took thick brown
paper from her pocket, opened it, dis,
closing fragments of flesh pork, and
then baited her hook, whistling "Ye
banks and braes' with all her might
during the operation.
A fne-looking young fellow, sitting
on camp stool beneath Syd's perch,
looked up at the sound. 1t evidently
disturbed him for he frowned angrily
up at the bushes that concealed the
unconscious offender; but seeing no
one, went on with his work. That
was not fishing, however. An easel
stood before him; he held palette and
brushes in his hand. He was an anna
teur artist, probably. He had been
irving in vain that afternoon to catch
the effect of rain on the water, and his
failure had put him out of sorts appar-
emily, for as the unseen whistler went
from "Bonnie Doom" to Captain
jerks" he contracted his brow and
mutlered something ill-natured about
confounded boys.
But he was destined to worse
doom than this, for as the line, which
had lain still in the water a few min
utes, was jerked sharply up, a mon
strous fish dropped off, and the hook,
relieved of its weight, swung suddenly
round, burying itself on the back of
the artists hand. He started up utter
ing an exclamation more expressive
than polite.
"Deuce take that boy y said he
with an emphasis so energetic that it
reached unlucky sgd.
"Oh, my soull" she exclaimed and
darted down the rocks.
Meanwhile the artist, holding his
Jack knife in his left hand, was en-
deavoring to open it with his teeth.
"Good Heavens ! What have |
done?'
He looked up in establishment, too
see lovely young lady with a mass Of
bright hair around her shoulders, and
great startled violet eyes, bending over
him, looking pale an anxious:
"Oh, am SO sorry! didn't mean
to Please do forgive me? Are you
much hurt? r all in breath.
So surprised was he at the unexpect-
ed apparition, that he didn't hear half
she said.
Nothing serious. Pray don't be
alarmed. Nothing upon my word !!
~ r. i 4