The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-01-19

Despite the popular notion concerning
the runaway negro. he never got very
lar from civilization in his wanderings.
The swamp was to him merely q re-
treat. His smokehouse was elsewhere.
When lsam glided away, leaving the
major pleasantly engaged. he followed
hog paths with uner1ing 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.
lsam 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 a tribe Of
shining cats. These began to give the
major occupation. His float would 20
under handsomely. There would be a
strong pull, and resisting steadily a cat
fish would break into view.
The major stood this persecution, il
may be-, for Is minutes. then the pa
thence Of the fisherman was exhausted.
As the hour wore away, ! regret to say
that the swearing became almost con-
tinuous. and the major reached what
is generally termed Estate of mind y
lsam was approaching the camp when
the language of the fisher attracted his
attention.
-Oomhoo," he said, stopping to lis
ten. Sum- 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. Isam
ducked back and held his sides.
Ell dere's anyt'n go'n ter upset dat
kind er mar quick, hits cats. Des
liss' nowl"
The negro peeped out again. The
major was flashing the water with an
unfortunate victim, then he saw the
irate fisherman drop a hinge 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.
lsam 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:
SUN folks say niger 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 a gasping cat. Down
came his bag.
Deere, now, eff l Good pick'd de ve'y
fish ] wanted fur ter mex dat chowd'r,
hit nd er been dis same cat" Isam's
teeth shone, and his eyes glistened. As
he looked about and saw the other un-
welcome captives he threw up his
hands.
Where you catch IN. Mass Graf
fud?"
Right here" said the major, re-
garding him suspiciously. land l have
mt been catching anything else for an
hour"
Den dom yer stop now. You des
go rite long ketchin 'em, en- we go'n
ter hav' er chowd'r FUN way back.
Spec We'll want bout six more big
ones. How long es hit bin sence you
had a catfish chowd'r, Mass Crafud?"
The majors passion was vanishing.
About 20 years, 1 reckon, Isam."
Well, den, hit ain go'n ter be 30
years TO you git ernuther. I'm go'n
ter git ev'n wi desc hyah big moufs en-
bout er mint. Lor, Lori Es l wuz
cummin long back l KEEP a-sayin. Now
Mass Craffud ain go'n ter ketch nuthin
but brim er yallerbelly wat ain good
fer chowd' r meat. en- all dis con en- yin
guns gotter be eat DIES dry so, en-, bless
goodnessi hyah's de ctowd'r dun hat
made en- lyin reddy." And Isam began
to shake his own prizes from the bag.
Where did you get that corn?" The
major fixed his eye sternly upon the nom
chalant babbler.
Dis CON-" said Isam, shocking an
ear. les wat dey calls 'vol'nterry
co n. Hit es con wat cum up FUN
las year seed wat de river en- de hog
scatter. En- desc yinguns es NV de vile
kline wat es always up en- er-doin."
The major made no reply. but fixing a
new tiathead on his hook cast it far into
the stream.
Above a blazing fire Isam soon had
his kettle swinging. and within its
depths sputtered great chunks of fish as
they rose and sank in a lake of green
corr and onions. With the earnestness
Of a wizard preparing his strange con-
\ s