Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-04
FIsHISGtN FLORIDA.
SambO Takes "a Pleasant Nap, nnd
Catches "a Zig Gatfish-A
wonderful stew.

Hamilton Jay in the New York San gives
the following. which il very suggestive Oi
Mr.. Junus Randolph's celebrated poem IN
which the concluding query is whether
the negro went a-lishing or the fish went
a.niggering. The negro is highly accom-
plisbed In both. In them he lives and moves
and has his being. The negro Is more pa
tent even than the mule. IL is the patience
OF ignorance or the ignorance Oi patience.
Witness ms long years OF silence under
slavery. Had he not been SO, the land
would have been red with blood long years
before historic '6l. But the negro then
was usually happy and contented.
All his physical wants We're supplied. He
had no cares. and his mentality was so
vagdc and underlined that il did not bother
him much. LlzinesS l. the mother OF pI-
tlencp, and the gOdmOther OF the negro.
Give Sambo pole and line, pocketful Of
worms OF indispoSed bcci, sunny nook
along the river or on the wharf, and for the
time being he Will thank the good Lord for
nothing else. His iayOrte tishing-place
in Florida il from the wharves that
line the It. johns river. The wharf
is Samho's throne, and from This
coign oi vantage he hurl1 his we'll
hooked line into the water The river at
jacksonville Is a universal cesspOOl. Here
are thrown all the garbl e and 0tlal Of the
market, rcsiduum Oi restaurant and saloon,
,lop OF boarding-hOu>e, aud here i the
fayoritc grazing place OF the catfish. Talk
MT of tue pOmpanO, the trout, or the bass.
They aIe all unknown quantities. TO sambO.
His affections are centered on the cat. The
sight OF one Of them makes his mouth open
to the fullest extent and the longing red
tongue reaches nearly around 10 the back Oi
his ears. II calls mp tOothsome dishes 10 his
exotic mind. Catfish stew, Cut the fish in
small pieces. plenty OF water. pinch oi
salt. some swect-rOtatOes from your neigh
bor's "tank they are best gathered at
midhight-a pone Of corn. bread, aud what
more does the cOlOrcd cpicurc requireI
Baked catfish! Takea bull-cat-the larger
the better-drcss him carefully, stuff his
ample bosom with onion aud cOrn-meal
mixed with syrup, and flank It with a side
dish OF blue collards. When Sambo and
his family sit down 10 the feast the door is
locked. and there Is no admittance until
the pOstprandial pipe.
The recipients daily OF varied and
bountiiul, il not dainty, supply Of food.
the ,c catfish grow 10 Immense size and at
tain a weight Of from ten 10 fifty pounds.
fIfieen pounds. After Slmbo has caught
one Of these large dandies Of the deep hc il
not particular as 10 whether he catches an
other enc that day or not. Sufficient unto
the day i, the evil thereof also the good
to him. The days quota is provided. The
sun Is warm and inviting. lie feels it, ge-
Dlal rays penetrating all the nerves aud tis-
sues OF his beng. The monotOnOus lap OF the
q s,,tff
10. tying the line to his big toe, which looks
like the head Of lOggerhead turtle, he falls
over on his back and Is soon fast asleep.
Gradually his slumber becomes more pro-
found. His mouth opens and remains In
that position. IL is invaded by an army Of
lies-green, blue. and black. Curious flies
they are, too. They examine each separate
tooth carefully and leisurely. Some take
observations from the upper tongue, Others
venture as far As the palate. One more
reckless than his brethren becomes entan.
gIed In the tOnsils, and, wrapping the
drapery Of his couch about him, lies down
10 pleasant dreams.
Meantime, under the turbid waves OF the
mighty river a strange scene is being enact
ed. An immense catfish Is out for a stroll
on the watery boulevard. lie moves geu-
tcelly along. His tail yibrates 10 and fro.
His fins make gentle ripples in the deep.
Suddenly he stops and backs water. There
are traces Of indecisiOn on his expressive
eOuntenance. Right before him l. a curved
something which may or may not be good
10 eat. Curiosity gets the better OF him.
He draws near. lie touches il with his
nose. II smells good. lie tastes II. II
tastes good. He gulps It down, feels the
cruel barb, and away be goes.
There is q wild scramble on the wharf.
Overheard goes Sambo, thus rudely awak-
ened from his slumber. He IS fine SWIM
mer, as nearly all negroes are, aud soon
reaches the wharf again. lie hauls In his
line, and grins rapturously as he sees the
huge fish. A half hour IN the sun dries
his clothes, and home be goes with two
days ratiOns dangling By bis side.
When winter comes 10 the north with Ice
and snow, Percy De We're, half invalid, EN-.
thusiastic sportsman, gathers his assortment
Of luxurious, costly, ionted-rods, aud I'M
possible flies, and comes TO Florida. Pas
sionately fond OF fishing, devoted dis
cipie Of Izaak Walton, as soon ~ the
fatigue OF the journey wears OF he goes 10
work. Selecting the best boat he can
find. and a well.recommended boat
man, out he goes upon the river or
the lake. His boatman gazes upon
the strange implements and singular
halt with awe, not entirely unmingled
with contempt. Arrived at the fishing
grounds, our friend Percy unhmbers and
gets his battery In position. lie gives the
line the most artistic ding ever taught In
the piscatorial schools OF his native State.
He changes from one fly TO another until
his repertory Is exhausted. The sun Is
preparing to give the moon chance when
be orders bis boat turned homeward. lie
has probably half dozen small osh, and
has had lots Of fun Ia trying TO catch more.
On the way back he passes Q boat
al anchor. In It Is Sambo, Just winding
up his lines. The boat Is crazy struc-
ture, homemade aud leaky. The lines