Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-02-22


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 ;rone 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 so
under handsomely. There would be a
strong pull, and resisting steadily cat
fish would break into view.
The major stood this persecution, it
may be, for Is minutes, then the pa
tience of the fisherman was exhausted.
AS the hour Wore away, | regret to say
that the swearing became almost con-
| tinuous, and the ma Or reached what
is generally termed Il state of mind. ;"
lsam was approaching tho camp when
the language of the fisher attracted his
attention.
"Oomhoo, " he said, stopping to lis
ten. Sum n dun gono wron wild Mass
Cratfud.
Creeping to the edge of the brake, he
! beheld his companion engaged in his
unequal conflict with tho fate that at
times overtakes all fishers. lsam
| ducked back and held his sides
Ell dere's anyt'n go'n ter upset dat
| kind er man quick, hits cats. Des
| liss n nowI'
The negro peeped out again. The
major was flashing tho water with an
| unfortunate victim, then he saw the
| irate fisherman drop hugo cat upon
the bank and with the paddle dash him
to pieces, and again grind another be-
meath his heel and end 10y 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
IL hundred yards into the canebrake, he
shouldered his we'll stuffed sack and
lifted his voice in song:
sum folks say niger won steal:
caught one in my co'nilel."
He was cheerfully giving expression
to this suggestive refrain when he
broke in upon tho scene and pretended
to stumble over a gasping cat. Down
came his bag.
Deere, now, eff Good picl'd do ve'y
fish l wanted fur ter mex dat chowd'r,
hit nd err been dis Same cat" Isam 5
teeth shone, and his eyes gGstened. AS
he looked about and saw the other I'M
welcome captives he threw up his
hands.
Where you catch m, Mass Graf
fud?"
Right here, " said tho major. re-
I, l
mt been catching anything else for an
hour"
Den don yer stop now. You dies
go rite long kctchin EN-, Ell we go'n
ter hav' cr chowd'r fun way back.
Spec Wen want bout six moro Zig
ones How long cs hit bin sence you
had Il catfish chowd 7, Mass Gratitude"
The major passion was vanishing.
About 20 years, l reckon, Isam.
Well, den, hit ain go'n ter be 90
years 70 you git ernuther. I'm go'n
ter git ev'n wi desc hyah big moufs en-
bout er mint. Lor, Lor! Is | WIZ
cummin long back KEEP a-sayin, Now
Mass Cratfud ain go'n ter ketch nuthin
but brim er yallerbelly wat ain good
fer chowd'r meat. en- all dis col en- YIN
guns gotter be eat DIES dry so, en-, bless
goodness! hyah's do chowd'r dun hat
made en- lyin reddy." And Isam began
to shake his own prizes from the bag.
Where did yougCt that corn!" The
major fixed his eye sternly upon tho non
chalant babblcr.
Dis con-. said lsam, shocking an
ear. "cs wat dcy calls vol nterry
con Hit cs con wat cum up fun
las year seed wat do 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 Il
new f1athead on his hook cast it far into
the stream.
Above n blazing fire Isam soon had
his kettle swinging, and within its
depths sputtered great chunks of fish as
they rose and sank in lake of green
corn and onions. With the earncstness
OF a wizard preparing his strange con
~,~..un5 ne hung over the boiling NIX
ture, adding here pinch Of pepper and
there Il dash of salt. AS he stirred the
savory mess he sang il cheerful plansl-
ton ditty. The dusk of evening had
fallen, and the red light of the flames
brought ont his figure in bold rrliet.
He seemed. vcritablc genius of the
swamp, anHIurcd from his sport hy the
cheerful picture and the odor of the meal
the major cast his line down and strobe
into the lighted circle.