The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-08-29
ANGLING FOR MEN.

The Saloon Uses Magnetic Bait, Why
Not Have 1t Also in the Home?
Come and play fsh-pondn' cried a
little girl, and in few moments the
children had gathered around the
miniature pond, while with eager eyes
they watched the poles as they were
drawn up. Some brought up one, some
two, some three, of the tiny toy fishes.
Then the number of pounds, marked
on each, was examined, and she who
had caught the heaviest laughed the
loudest. 1t was great fun, and we
older people joined in the innocent
game. The line was again and again
let down. The bait was a magnet
Have you ever been out with fish
ing party, and as the line was cast in
shallow water, did you notice the min
nows playing around the hook? They
glided slowly up, touched their noses,
and turned away. This was repeated
several times, until one foolish fellow
was caught
Some years ago, was troubled by a
little marauder in the form of a mouse
who exercised great care that he
should not be caught. In vain the
trap was set for him, but he carefully
avoided it. At night, could hear him
cracking the seeds that had fallen
from the cage of the canary bird. If
through forgetfulness anything worth
his notice was left out there were
marks, in the morning, showing that
the midnight traveller had been dill
gent in his circuit.
One day, while resting on my sofa,
just recovering from illness, the little
scamp slyly crept out from beneath my
resting place. You daring rascalr' l
exclaimed, Il will have you now" So
carefully placing the trap, awaited
breathlessly his return.
Slowly he crept out. Cautiously he
drew himself up to the spot, shifting
the toasted cheese as he came. Then
he became singularly elongated, just
like cat before selling her prey. Hav-
ing stretched himself to his full length
he waited one moment, again shifted
the cheese, gave one shrill squeak and
with sudden spring flew back to his
hole. Twas duped! He was not. There
was not magnetism enough for him.
AS l descended the stairs from one
of the stations on the elevated road, |
saw a man coming out of a door way.
He was just finishing some delicious
bite.
Free lunch" All, yes, he saw the
bait, and he seized it. l wonder what
is to be the future of that man. He
was caught by the magnet.
Er1 !, Il,
something is nibbling at his hook,
smiles, holds the pole cautiously, then
giving sudden jerk, up 1t comes. 1t
may be fine trout, or it may be very
inferior kind of fish. In the latter,
overheard it goes, as the fisherman
says: Il don't want y0u.
Watch the man at the bar. (No, sis
ter, you and l can't see him, we only
imagine this.) He is trying to get a
fat pocket book. He smiles. He holds
out all sorts of inducements. The
magnetism is powerful. See those
dazzling lights! Hear the merry voices
You and l must not peep through the
door. We are not wanted there, be
cause we are not in sympathy. Wives
and mothers, begone! Children anc
sisters, this is no place for you. The
doors of the grocer, the druggist, the
dry-goods merchant may stand wide
Open but close that door! Father
brother, son, your family must no
see you! Your neighbors and you
church members hide away from them
The liquordealer must shield 20,
from their gaze. No! No! They ar
too insignificant! Throw them over
board! But that closed door open
suddenly! Suddenly it is shut.