The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-01-21
THE RocK-coD JOKE.
sAn Franeiseo Chronlele.

1Walu reSlu6u III Sau \ ExatfClSCO a1Ot was the regular correspondent of the Virginia (Nev.) EatesprSse, he was a character among the Bohemians, and associated with many jolly souls who are now numbered among the missing, and many who are still we'll known in San Francisco.
 Mark was an ardent angler, and was never happier than when sitting with his legs dangling over the side of 8 cosy yacht, and waiting for the slow and lazy nibbles of the denizens of the sea.
 In those days Alexander Badlam and Fult Berry owned the steam tug "Fanny Ann," and to gratity Marks piscatorial whim they fitted her up one day with dozen or two bottles of bait and fine lunch, and with 8 few choice friends steamed off for Angel island. Mark had constantly expressed as the desire of his life that he might catch a mess of red rock cod; those in the San Francisco markets be- ing of a bright red, very attractive to look at and very choice food fish.
 The party consisted of Mark Twain; o. P. Sutton, formerly secretary of the Pacific bank; General John Me- Comb, then editor of the Alta; prom inent San Francisco judge, now de- ceased; Alexander Badlam and Fulton Berry. The two latter knowing fully we'll that there were no red rock cod this side of the Farrallone islands purchased large, fine specimen in the market, and placing it in gunny sack smuggled it on board the steamer. After a pleasant sail across the bay the "Fanny Ann" was anchored across the stream at point on Angel island known as Ralston's quarry, so called from the fact that the rock for the Bank of California was taken from that place. The tide was ebb.ng strong, and after anchoring all the party except Badlam and Berry dropped their lines on the lower side. These two gentlemen dropped theirs on the upper side of the steamer, with their lines drifting under the steamer, while those on the opposite side trailed towards the sea. When unnoticcd Badlam attached the large, red rock cod to his line, and apprisins the others of the fact, pulled him to the surface amid great excitement The fish was immediately placed in bar rel of water, which had been provided to keep alive what fish might be caught. It was suggested to Mark Twain and his friends that they had better fish on the upper side of the steamer, as they prefer shady places, which was concurred in. After the lines had trailed under the steamer, Berry removed the bait from his hook and on the opposite trailed and caught Mark Twain's line. The latter com plaining that his line was foul, was assured that upon the swinging of the few moments the red rock-cod was taken from the barrel and hooked onto Mark Twain's line. A vigorous pull was given and at the top of his voice Mark yelled out: !" have got whale !! have got whale!" He landed him in fine shape, the two jokers taking him off the hook and placed him ip the barrel. Mark immediately procured piece of chalk and commenced to score the catch of each of the fisher men, and during the next two hours this same fish was hooked on in the same manner fifty or sixty times on the lines of all the parties, and pulled up in the same manner and placed in the barrel of water, Twain, of course, having caught the largest number When the fun become monotonous Berry hooked the fish in the tail, hop ing that Mark would drop on the joke, but he did not, and simply said, It takes an artist to catch fish on the wrong end. have often done so in trout fishing in Nevada"
 The fish having had its gills all torn out, scales most all torn off, and no place to hook onto him any more, the jokers in desperation fished up Twain's line and Sutton's line at the same time, and tied a monkey wrench on the former and hachet on the lat ter. Screams were raised that they had got vil-fish, and the wrench and hatchet were landed on the deck. Words cannot depict the faces of the fishermen. Twain pulled of his coat, looked at the score, looked at the monkey wrench, at the hatchet, and then at the barrel, rolled up his sleeves and fished out the poor, soli- tary, worn out red rock cod, and hold- ing it aloft said
 Boys we have had lots of fun to- day let's go home" He was the only one in the party who took it goed naturedly, the other gentlemen refns- ing to converse on the sport of red rock-cod fishing, and always looked on the transaction as a very mean joke.
 We have looked through Mark TWain's writings on his lite in Cali-