The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-08-06


their appointed stations loaded down
with all necessary material for first
class military fishing camp. The ladies
accompanied the veterans to the encamp-
ment on South Lake Talmage, estab-
lished them there, and then reluctantly
left them to their own devices. Mr..
Jacobs having business to attend to was
unable to accompany his comrades-too
bad. The tent was pitched, sixteen
lines set-night came on, and the "fun"
began. When the ladies left the party
on Tuesday evening, the fishermen were
in tip top shape. Laughter and jollity
prevailed, nothing could be more funny.
When the ladies rejoined the military at
eleven o'clock the next morning, Joe
Smiths legs and Capt. DIS face were so
altered in expression that those most
familiar with these members found re-
cognition difficult. E. A. Smith looked
solemnly wistful, but determined and
occasionally scratched thoughtfully the
new "bumps" he had acquired during the
night, with the end of his crutch. They
caught about thirty-seven bass, averag
ing about four and cpe-half pounds, and
one eel as large as the sea serpent. The
ladies began frying fish at IL a. m. and
fried steadily until 80 p. M, the ladies
and their attendants numbered from
fifteen to twenty people and all had as
much phosporescent pabulum as could
be slowed away, and the remains of the
catch were taken home and divided with
the neighbors. When your correspond
ent reached the camp it was after p. m.
The wagons were loaded and ready to
drive out on their return. What dis
appointment He had not eaten
square meal since Monday in anticipa-
ton of gorging himself on fried bass, and
had been badly left. But when he OBJ
served the pimples with which the
veterans were so prodigally provided
when he heard the tone of E. AIS
naturally melodious voice - when he
examined critically the visage of the
doughty captain--and especially after he
had witnessed Joe's legs-his disap-
pointment was tempered with resigna-
tion-a man cannot have the whole
earth anyhow. In my character of
scribe [ asked few questions. of course
Had they had good time? ooh splen-
did," It seemed rather shut in by trees.
Had they had breeze during the night?
"Well, yes--that is no - they had
known it to blow harder where they had
lived BEFORE" Any mosquitoes? "Well,
no--that is yes-some - Red bugs?
GA few" Sleep any? cob confound
it--they didn't 60 into camp to sleep
they went to fish," All the biggest fish
were caught-several small ones got
away. No logs were sawed; they were
all to busy-catching fish. Your scribe
was sitting on the steps of the captains
home killing mosquitoes about dark
when the genial captain arrived-he
looked up with mournful but distorted
(by bumps) smile and sadly remarked,
with a far away look in his eyes,"
"What an amazing amount of trouble
fellow is willing to take to have little
fun, and-Oh say, we were all so sorry
you weren't along" My regrets were
murmured in the gloaming-so don't
think the captain noticed how enjoyed
it all. [ remarked that humble as |
was, and situated as had been, prob
ably enjoyed the picnic--as much as
they did-as much in fact as if had
been PRESENT. made me happy to
know that they had been happy--or