The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-02-13

(CSlCitetS, iin IijNll ~ i.CNi1'OtIy NdtIl
a fine mess Of fish, and get back fol
tea
Il only lack a motiyc--l'd do ii fol
fifty cents said, outwardly bold, but
inwardly quaking.
"Look here, Bella, said Harry, earn
estly, chat poor widow who does you.
sewing-I will give You twenty dollars
for her if you will bring me SIX fish OF
your own unassisted catching from the
spot | fishcd in yesterday
"I'll do it | said quietly. I'm
only girl, Harry. | don't feel myself
worthy the name Of women when see
the noble work some of my friends are
doing, but I'll show you that the weak
est Of us can accomplish anything she
sets her mind to- .
And as we took our places for 2 game
of whist, at which Ida and | were not
unworthy partners for the two men, l
heard Tom say in voice Of unfeigned
alarm:
''She won't go.
"les, she Will " saiG Ida, decidedly.
And we said no more about it.
The result was that three mornings
later, without a word to any one, l took
the train for Lewiston, a pretty, sleepy
little village on the Niagara river, thirty
miles from Buffalo and seven below the
magnificent Falls Of Niagara. Arrived
there, | got into the stage and was
driven through the rain to the chief
hotel OF the place, where | unbosohed
myself Of the whole affair to the land
lady.
''Do you think, asked, timidly,
that l can do it2'
"To be sure you can " she said,
warmly. you're little and quiet, but
l can see you've got grit. And to
think of your earning twenty dollars
for that poor widow You won't have
a bit of trouble-you needn't go out Of
sight Of the hotel, and you can catch
the SIN fish in ten minutes
"Oh, I'm SO much encouraged " l
said.
"Iherc's old Hank Tower she said,
deliberately. Hes the ugliest old
curmudgeon that ever lived, and he
chews tobacco and spits dreadful but
he's right near by, and | reckon you d
better take him.
Then she gave me minute instruc-
tons in regard to finding the fisherman
and hiring his boat, and set out, well
protected from the fine drilling rain
by rubber coat and boots, plain felt hat
and umbrella.
walked short distance up the
river bank, which rose continually, so
that when l reached the vicinity OF the
fishing shanty l was perched at least
thirty feet above it. Pausing to gather
force | called loudly:
"Mr. Tower Mr.. Tower
After about ten minutes Of alternate
calling and silence on my part he emerg-
ed. Oh. what figure. He struck terror
and loathmg to my heart. He wore a
stained shirt Of plaid flannel and pair
of brown overalls Shiny with clay and
lishscales. His immense Cowhide boots
were mass Of mud \ wide straw hat
Topped above great shock of coarse
brown hair and beard, and the little
revealed Of his face was either dark
with sunburn Or very dirty.
"What you maxim all that row
about? What the duce you want, any
how he snarled.
ooh, nothing - | said family Then
plucking up little more spirit, asked
''Can | hire your boat for 4 days fish
ing?
"No, you cant he replied, without
any hesitation, and reiterated into his
hut
| was confounded. l could not be-
lieve that he was in earnest. Must
search out another being of equally re-
pulsiye appearance and perhaps submit
to 4 refusal from him also? No, pre-
ferrcd to humble my pride and entreat
Mr.. Tower.
| called him TIL was hoar3e, and at
last he sloached out and reopened
negotiations.
Let me take the boat out alonc??'
l begged.
You? Why you'd swamp her or
Spite her somehow new $40 boat.
Then, as a trivial aflerthought BE
sides, you'd sit drowned YOURSELF
why won't you come out with me
then" l asked impatiently.
"Carse know by your looks you'd
beat down my price, he replied.
l WAS 50 angry at this implication
that could scarcely impure calmly:
"What is your regular price,
"Filty cents an hour
am give you seventy-fve and pay in
ADVANCE l sad, promptly, and the
bargain was struck. Cautiously | be
gan to descend the slippery clay bank.
"Nour name is Tower, you know, |
remarked, pleasantly, "Well, Shak-
speare says;
The strongest castle, toUer and town,
The golden bullet beats it down -
The man did not smile at this. He
was gravely watching me come down
the slope and reserved his hilarity until
| had almost reached the lower level,
when suddenly my feet gave wild
| slim and | tumbied iUnOnini01SIv to the