Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-08-01
FOR THE INDEPENDENT
The BOYS Go Fishing.

/
ty OF fishermen from your city, try
ing to tempt the finny tribe Of the
deep, in and around Potomac Isle.
These men have yearned for the glo-
ry Of Isaac Walton they have been
visited by visions Of big bass, yellow
suckers and squirming cells, until
peace was no more. AS the steam
boat came putting towards the Is
land one day this week, we saw them
standing on deck, eagerly scanning
the shore. First, on the land, came
DR. Williams, gripping big umbrel-
Ia and bag of fishing hooks next,
Dave Fitz meandered up the bank,
with several young trees over his
shoulder; last came John Homrich,
but, OIL how changed. His once
Frenchified moustache and whiskers
were gone, and his mien indicated
that he was "the noblest Roman Of
them ALL In solemn silence the
three paced to the store house and
made ready for a week 5 stay ID the
loveliest of natures retreats. Say,
Dr. said John, chow do you bait
these hooks? Put the cork or the
whole bottle on ~ "Look here"
was the reply, "leave the bottles on
the bank; the fish we want are too
large to crawl into those bottles "
The boat was launched, and like the
picture often formed ia the magma
ton, Of Indian hunters rowing along
/ the fringed river bank, their bodies
casting leaden shadows on the rip
ping waters, the trio disappeared
around the distant bend. Hours
pass away. Anxious friends line
the bank, looking for the lost fisher
men. A. shout. Hark the breezes
bring up the river, voices blended
together in symphonic bliss:
"The old gray dog he crossed the road,
The old gray dog he crossed the road,
The old gray dog he crossed the road;
And, the reason why he crossed the road,
Was, because he crossed the road
Stiffness again, but only brief In
sweetest strains the bold John sings:
await till the clouds roll by, Jennie,
| Wait till the clouds roll by;
Jennie. my own true love one
| Wait till the clouds roll by"
They round the bend now, pulling
n Observation-Disclosures Haryard-oar.
Three more hours and the boat hits
the bank. But, where are the fish ?
Swimming in the water, laughing at
baffled fishermen. Dave hooked
"whopper; must have weighed eight
pounds but he got off when almost
to the boat. John, after having his
line in the water an hour, suddenly
remembered he had not baited the
hooks. "Doco was more successful
he managed to get the fy-fsh on
his hook back into the boat, and was
proud of two small sm-fish he had
tackled to a rope. Would they try
it any more that day? No. Why ?
Because all felt sick and thought
rest would do them good. Besides,
darkness was coming on and they
would not row ut such time. Sleep
soon touched their heavy eye-lids
and held them shut.
Your correspondent at night-fall,
wandered away by himself. Every
thing was beautiful. The trees were
as quiet as ghosts, and as gloomy.
Like stream of molten silver seem
ed the river as the moonbeams play
ed in restlessness across its bosom.
A deep feeling Of solitude came over
me. Thought followed thought. The
past was born again. How oft had
the dusky savage in his light canoe
| floated down pass this same island,
and the Indian maiden heard whis-
pered tales Of love ON these same
shores? How oft the Storm King
had bowed the tall, great giants of
those forests and swept his arm over
those rugged cliffs on the opposite
shorel | seemed to see the camp
fire the deer drinking in the dark
gourge i'll quiet security. Again /
heard tho
Crash boomety, boomety, boom !
The City Band from your place
breaks in on my quiet reverie with a
pleasant reality. | will away to
meet the beautiful maidens who have
replaced the dusky damsels in this
vale of tears.
A pleasant evening it was. We
were sorry to see the boat bear away
the jolly boys and girls. Dave Myers
was persuaded to remain at the Is
land with the fishermen. 1t was a
planned scheme. Poor fellow, if he
does not return to your city, please
drape all the lamp-posts in mourning.
BY the way, the fish those fellows
caught are on ice. BEER BOTTLE.