Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-29
CITY AND DISTRICT.
Aighty with the Rod As Well As the
Gum.

To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR:
Your report in last Saturdays STAR of Mr.
6arvs' terrific encounter with a gray squirrel
brings 10 mind an important inciden. In Jesse's
life, the initial point, in fact. at which he
emerged from urban obscurfty and strobe forth
upon the road that has led him. as a news
paper man to fame and fortune Before your hero
became hunter he was q noted angler: and
there wasn't a bass ripple or catfish hole i'm the
Juniata or Sus9uehanna that Jesse didn't know.
mems lore. and knew all the Indications from
the signs OF the zodiac to the temper of a
southerty breeze; There wasn't barefooted
boy IN q bob-taI!ed wSmus in all the region who
could garner string OF bass or a basket of trout
more certainly than he. But it is a singular
fact that t;'.s Young genius of the mountain
sT5s'us was much addicted to exaggeration
vrtn Ieicfence to his piscatorial acquisitions
n: woaId ad9 c,pner or two to his statistics
ecqUe nee was that no one would believe his
1ra::!e except upon ocular proof. 1t is, of
course. hard to reconcile such a condition with
his present formal statement. But let that pass
One morning Jesse sailed out at 3 O'Clock
and in the course of a few hours caught good
many fish. and among them two very fine bass,
weighing about three pounds each. These two,
with boyish pride, he put on q string by them
bank. Preparing TO return home, he went a
short distance down stream to take up cat
fish line. and while away two fancy fishermen
nom Harrisburg came along: They had not
caught anything. Getting sight of the two
large bass-not seeing the other string-they
adding that he was a noted, as some say, pre-
varicator. On his return one of them said:
Hello. sonny, what luck this morning.?
BuIly :! said the boy; caught more a hum
dred, reckon
"Are you disposed to sell? Our success has
not been commensurate with our efforts and
tackle. and We want to take home some fish,"
What i'll you give?'
We'll, seeing it's you, We I'll give you fifty
cents piece.
Fair trade and no kickin'?,
'.Square deal and no lodging; we have the
coin. and will pay you down for all you we got
at the stipulated assessment"
Fifty cents all round?" said the prophetic
urchin.
That's the agreement. My friend here is a
member of the legislature and Is ready security
for all that's nominated in the bond"
II don't exactly follow you,'' said the boy;
'but m onto that fifty cents. It's cold day
when well, here's q couple Of 'em, and I've
got another string; take 'em ALL do your
Yes, yes: develop your fish,"
W 18th an air of difhdence and assumed dejec-
ton the barefoOted mountaineer brought out~a
long string of bass, catfish sunfish and eels re-
marking:
There's hundred and two with them big
uns, and II hadn't run out of dobsons and
minnerS there d been a heap more"
IL Is related that yarn string could
nave been tied around the protruding
eyes of those Harrisburg gentlemen. But. to
their credit be IL said, they paid the boy S5I
only STIMULATING as the money was counted that
ne should commit to sacred memory one short
phrase: Don't mention it,
A BOY OF such means and ability could not
remain In the mountains and in few years
Washington acquired him with all his prowess
and neverfailng geniality. j. C. B.