News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-03-08

stretched Bermuda sward hemmed in
by gigantic trees, in whose boughs the
cicadas were singing. The old boyish
enthusiasm rose strong within the ma
jor.
This is the camp" he said, "and
there, pointing to the log jammed
creek behind him, slowly mingling its
clear waters with the rivers mud-''is
the place for Dream and redbellies.
Isam fairly shouted:
"Dere, now, dey aim nev'r no use
tellin er man wot knows how ter fish
whar ter drap er line. De two go
long tergether. Des you TEX desc hyar
lines, Mass Craffud, en- git reddy fer
supper, vile ten ter de res. ~
Throwing open his pack, Isam dis
played his simple tackle, hurried
around and cut pole from neighbor-
ing brake, and peeling the bark from
fallen tree picked out a handful of fiat
heads. Adjusting himself to log, the
major cast his line and began to draw
in the Dream.
''Dere, now," chucl1led Isam, II
ain seen you do dat sence you was err
courtin Miss Mandy Bullard en- we all
wuz down ter Sykes fshpond."
But the major was landing fish and
did not have time to listen to Isam, OBJ
serving which that individual, casting
an inquiring glance at the sun, seized
his ak and went to work in the cane
brake. In an incredibly short space of
time he had cut down and dragged up
enough poles to construct rude hut,
and soon after completed the shapty.
Then, with one happy glance at the fu-
gitive perched upon the log contentedly
warning with the Dream, he glided off
into the woods and disappeared from
view.
Despite the popular notion concerning
fhe runaway negro, he never got very
far from civilization in his wanderings.
The swamp was to him merely a re-
treat. His smokehouse was elsewhere.
When lsam glided away, leaving the
major EiU,.aantlJ Cle5atSUd, lac follo"e3
hog paths with unerring instinct and
recalled landmarks with surprising ac-
curacy. But where he was going and
what for are matters that can wait.
The major must not be left alone.
Isam had not been long gone before
the fisherman began to suffer from the
perversity OF the piscatorial god. The
Dream and redbelly ceased to bite. The
colony had been exhausted or driven
away, and in its place settled Il tribe Of
shining cats. These began to give the
major occupation. His float would go
under handsomely. There would be a
strong pull, and resisting steadily cat
fish would break into view.
Tho m ior stood this TarSacufinn If
may be, for Is minutes, then the pa
tience of the fisherman was exhausted.
As the hour wore away, 1 regret to say
that the swearing became almost con-
tinuous, and the major reached what
is generally termed Il state of mind.
lsam was approaching the camp when
the language of the fisher attracted his
attention.
"Oomhoo, he said. stopping to lis
ten Sum n dun gone wron wild Mass
Craffud.
Creeping to the edge of the brake. he
beheld his companion engaged in his
unequal conflict with the fate that at
times overtakes all fishers. lsan-
ducked back and held his sides.
Ell dere s anyt'n go'n ter upset dat
kind er man quick, hits cats. Des
Iiss'n nuwI'
The negro peeped out again. The
major was lashing the water with an
unfortunate victim, then he saw the
irate fisherman drop huge cat upon
the bank and with the paddle dash him
to pieces, and again grind another be-
meath his heel and end by kicking the
remains far out into the stream.
Isam reveled in this display of passion
until wearied out and then prepared to
make his presence known. Going back
a hundred yards into the canebrake, he
shouldered his well stuffed sack and
lifted his voice in song:
"Sum folks say nigg'r won steal:
| caught one in my co'nfiel."
He was cheerfully giving expression
to this Suggestive refrain when he
broke in upon the scene and pretended
to stumble over gasping cat. Down
came his bag.
"Dere, now, eff Good. pick'd de ve'y
fish 1 wanted fur ter mex dat chowd'r.
hit 'ud er been dis same cat. lsam $
| teeth shone, and his eyes glistenCsl. As
ne looked about and saw the other un-
| welcome captives he threw up his
hands
Where you catch m. Mass Graf
fud?"
Right here" said the major, re-
garding him suspiciously, "and have
ut been catching anything else for an
\ hour
Den don yer stop now. You des
go rite long ketchin 'em, en- we go'n