St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-15
WALKS AND TALKS.

Although the following may seem
little fabulous, still it is true: On the
shore of Bass lake in a little cottage
lives a veritable fish charmer. his
name is Francis BOuchel, a Frenchman,
who has lived in this country about ten
wears. most of the time at his present
place. About two years ago he sud
denly became aware of his wonderful
power to attract fish. He went down
to the shore of the lake one evening,
and having nothing to do. he sat down
on rock and began to whistle tune
it was not Annie Laurie" by the way
when to his astOnlShment, he
noticed several dozen of rock bass,
close by the shore, with their
heads almost out of the water, SEEM
ingly listening to the music from his
lips. When he stopped whlstnng the
fish seem frightened, and swan hur-
riedly away, but as soon as he resumed
they came back and remained there ap-
parently entranced. He hurried back
to the house and procured some bread,
and commenced to whistle again some
soft, low musical air, and in few sec
Onds his audience was before him, only
in greater numbers than before. Con-
tinuing to whistle he threw crumbs OF
the bread into the water, and as quickly
was il devOured. Tue next night he
again repaired to the lake shore,
this time accompanied by his
brother Jean. He whistled, and
with swOop and a dash
came hundreds of the finny tribe. Jean
tried his whistling powers, but 1t had no
effect on the fish, and they SWAN away
again; but as soon as Francois began
they returned. They finally became SO
tame that Francois, while WhlStllng,
could wade into the water and pick sew
eraI of them up in bis hands. DE has
amused himself in this manner for two
wears. and so proficient has he become
as a whistler that when on quiet even
ing he stands Oh the shore the notes OF
his whistle can be distinctly heard all
over the lake. The consequence is that.
as soon as he begins his music, he mas
every fish in the lake at his feet, and
they come in such numbers that for
several hundred yards around the water
is one dense black mass of fish. Fran
co.'s attributes his strange power to a
natural gift from his mother. Before
Francois was born his parents resided
in Montreal, Can. They desired to re-
turn to their native land, and took pass
age on a steamer. While in midOcean
Mrs. Bouchel, who was in a delicate
condition. fell overheard. just as the
huge shark, the terror of the ocean,
came up with Jaws diStended, and cry
of horror arose from the ship, as 1t
seemed as if the unfortunate woman'S
death was fOregOne conclusion. But,
strange to say, as soon as she came up
above the water the shark turned and
was soon lost to sight. Mrs. BOuchel
was rescued, and almost Immediately
after landing in France Francois was
born.
Now that the State Fair is over, the
gentlemen who have been acting i'll the
capacity of special policemen will be
out of employment. These officials
all appearances they came along with
the exhibits of the various counties as
mart of the baggage. In the main build
ing was noticed one who formerly held
the position of chief of police of Fergus
Falls. and on the depot platform, with
huge star on his breast, keeping the
crowd away from the gates, was gen
tleman who once was postmaster OF the
same town. Another country politician
from Goodhue county reigned supreme
over the hog exhibit department; and
still another. from st. Crolx county,
took care of the prize ROSTERS. There
Is nOIilllS Ike I'll plOhiaCy HI eiio WIN,
and President Bushnell has an abund-
anee of it. He knows where kind deeds
and gentle words count the most.
"a
A New York Times reporter went
through here the other day. He had
been O 1t to Montana and had visited the
cities of Butte and Helena. A good
story is told on him while out there.
While at Butte he was introduced to
and became acquainted with the swell
Young men of the town. They invited
him over to take drink at the Silver
Bow club, the place affected by all of
the bloods. OF course he went, but
when he got there a dice box was pro-
duced and he was asked to shake for his
drink. Thinking that perhaps that was
one of the customs of the country he
said nothing, but shook and lost. The
next day he went TO Helena and again
was invited to go up and tale drink at
the Montana club. He went up, expect
ing to be treated royalty. but instead of
receiving his drink he was asked to play
a game of draw poker for it. He did so
and, of course, got stuck. lie, however,
thought they had very funny way of
playing poker at that club. as seven
cards were dealt out and after discard
ing the regular five were drawn to.