The Press., 1894-02-08

an 1nQu1r1ng glance at the sun, SelZe0 his ax 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 shanty. 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 the runaway negro, he never got very far from civilization in his wanderings.
 The swamp was to him merely re- treat. His smokeholse was elsewhere. When Isa1p glided away, leaving the major pleasantly engaged, he followed 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.
 lsam had not been long gone before the fisherman began to suffer from the perversity of the piscatorial god. The bream and redbelly ceased to bite. The colony had been exhausted or driven away, and in its place settled tribe of shining cats. These began to give the major occupation. His float would go under handsomely. There would be strong pull, and resisting steadily cat fish would break into view.
 The major stood this persecution. it may be, for 15 minutes, then the pa tience of the fishermaN was exhausted. AS the hour wore away, l regret to say that the swearing became almost con- tinuous, and the major reached what is generally termed q state of mind"
 Isam 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 wid Mass Craffud.'
 Creeping to the edge of the brake, he beheld his companion engaged in his unequal conflict with the fate that at times oyertakes all fishers. Lsam ducked back and held his sides
 "Ef dere's anyt'p go'n ter ppsot dat kind CT man quick hits cats. Des lissp poWl"
 The negro peeped out. again. The major was flashing the water with an unfortunate victim, then he saw the irate fisherman drop g huge cat upon the bank and with the paddle dash him to pieces, and again grind another be- heath 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 hundred yards into the canebrake, he shouldered his we'll 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 oyef B gasping cat. Down came his bag. ''' '''' 'S''
 "Dere, now, eff l cood pick'd de ye'y fish l wanted fur ter ,nek dat chowd'r, hit 'pd CT been dis same cat" Esam's teeth shane, and his eyes giistened. As be looked about and saw the pther un- welcome captiyes he threw mp his hands.
 Where you catch m, Mass Graf fud?"
 Right here. said the major, re- garding him suspiciously, land have n't been catching anything else for an hour. ",. .-...
 a''"pen don yer stop now. You des go rite long ketchiH' 'ellT en Ne go'n fa,rt ,.. .ob ox,,jsx e,,x,t, Nx., y Spec we'll want bout six moro big ones. How long es hit bin sence you had p catfish chowd'r, Mass Craffuds' s' " ffhe major's passion was vanishing.
 About 20 years, 1 reckon. Isam."
 Well, den, hit ain go'n ter be 20 years flo you git ernuther. I'm go'n ter sit eg'n wi desc hyah big moufs en bouf CT lninit. LOT, Lori Els wuz cnmmin long back kep a-sayin, Now Mass Craffud ain go'n ter ketch nuthin but brim CT yallerbelly wat ain good fer chowd'r meat, en all dis co'n en yin