The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-28
FiTZGERALD'S FISH.
Staten Island Mosquitoes Got Him,
but He Couldn't Get the Frogs.

Out hfS SUuiuu OSI fEOXSs
Everybody knows Jack Fitzgerald of the
CITY Hail." said Tommy Monaghan of Carrolfs
Hotel, at Gitfords, Staten Island, the other
evening to party OF friends. lie is the cham
pion practical joker of New York. and pretty
fly fellow at that. But let me tell you how we
fooled him right here one night last summer.
He came down to spend the day, and he did
spend ii, and the night. too. Oh. he had a
glorious night of 1t But the mosquitoes man
gled him and put him In a bad humor. All day
we could not get him to eat anything He said
he was fat enough. But at about midnight his
appetite came back 10 him.
What have you got to fill in Pr said he.
=" Nothing SAID |; you can't get anything
here at this hour of the night. What do you
think we are?"
"'What a God-forsaken hole this Staten
Island is he shouted. Nothing in 1t for a
ing his blood =
"'Hold on said. Il think 1 can fix you
up splendid feed. Can you eat frogs legs p
Can eat barrel of frogs legs?' said he
"'Well, Phi have them ready IN about fifteen
minutes | said.
so 1 opened The icebox and made be-
lieye was astonlshed at finding no frogs legs
Here, Mike p I shouted, where's them
frogs legs?'
"'What frogs legs?' says Nike
"'Them frogs legs that put in there this
morning. said |.
al saw no frogs legs retorted Nike
Then l swore and made believe l was awful
mad. But said l, never mind; there is
plenty OF frogs In the pond. Mike, get me
fresh piece of red flannel and that blue fish
line.' Mike brought the ma erals. Then
says 10 Jack, Did you ever fish for frogs p
Jack says, Nav, never fiShed for frogs
WEEK l says: 1T beats bluetisning all to
pieces. Come on
Where?'
"Just back of the house here to the Ice pond.
There's millions of frogs in il. We can catch a
half barrel full in half an hour
"'IhapS right, jack said Dave Coghlin. L
never saw such place for frogs
80 out we all three went TO the ice pond. Of
course. there never was frog in the blooming
pond. Ii frog fell into t he'd die But we
planted Jack on the edge of he water and CAV
him the line. Dave said, Oh. Pm too sleepy 10
boz her with yOa frog fishers now. Pm going TO
bed. Goodnight And of he went aud hid
behind the icehouse. After about five minutes
Jack said
You fellows are foolng me. There aIn't
no frogs herep
Just then Dave, who was behind the ice-
house, tried to croak like a frog, but the city
gawk, instead of croaking liz frog, quacked
like duck. But for all that, the other City
Hall Greek never tumbled.
Pm blessed if there amt frogs here after
al!' he said. Don't you hear them?'
Il said. Certainly; throw your line over
fence 10 get close 10 the water, just where
wanted him to go, for there the mud is like
soap grease. He gave grand flourish with the
line, aud as he threw IL out over he went into
the pond.
II tottered back behind the icehouse and
joined Dave. When Jack got up. standing in
about six inches of water and TWO feet of mud
there was a blue streak all over the pond. and
II you want TO have fun with him now Just ask
him how he likes frogs legs."-New York Sun.