The Van Buren press., 1895-01-12
"Ro1's" OFFER OF SYMPATHY.
Having Watched the Husband Drown He
Consoles the Widow.

Herodotus Glastonbury and Wash.
ington jefferson were brothers-in-law
and inseparable friends, having many
tastes in common, and both being very
much averse to work.
"Rot" and "Wash, as they were gen.
orally known, had such distaste for
bucolic life that they finally turned
their backs to the plow and left it for.
ever, removing with their wives and
little ones to the south shore of the
Chowan river, which abounded in fish,
while all sorts of game was to be found
in the big adjacent woods. Trapping,
however, involved more exercise than
either was willing to put forth, and
they finally settled down to fishing for
a livelihood.
Their wives had again and again
and again reminded them that to dar-
kies constantly on the water the art OF
swimming was something more than
q mere accomplishment, and they were
SO moved by the pleadings of the wom-
en- that they decided to learn, "some
day." which to the negro is as "to-mor-
row" with the Mexican-it never
comes.
Rot was short, fat fellow, of tarry
blackness, while Wash, "yaller Mig
GER" shot above six feet in stature
and had little more flesh upon him
than herring bone after hungry
child has finished it.
Their boat was very long and mar
row cypress "dug-out," which they
termed u Gunner" while their equip
ment was very primitive, consisting of
long reed poles" and cotton lines with
bits of iron for sinkers. "Rock fish"
Striped bass) were running in great
Schools" and the twain went out
each day in quest of the delicious
ly-toothsome game. The largest OF
these fish in those waters attain q
weight of seventy pounds, and afford
delight to sportsmen, because of their
"gaminess. Rot and Wash, however,
objected to this trait and would have
preferred that they come into the boat
with the supineness of perch.
The river was nearly two miles wide,
and one morning in the height of the
''rock'' season they went out fully
equipped for days seige. They pad
dick for the middle of the stream, and
when it was reached prepared their
hooks and cast out their lines, in tend
ing to float lazily with the listless
tide. Immediately fish, evidently of
immense size, seized Rot's line, and in
the furry and excitement, Wash, who
had arisen to his feet, gave sudden
lunge and fell overheard.
With all his energies concentrated
upon the fish, Rot looked for moment
at the head of his partner, the top of
which just showed above the returning
ripplcs of the splash, and cried out:
"Jis you hol' on snug-'n-tight, WASH
in'ton Jeff'son. I'll be back arter you
pres'n'ly."
Having muttered this intelligent pre-
caution, Rot now bent every energy
upon the tautened line and trembling
pole, as the fish forged ahead, drag.
ging the light boat swiftly along. Pa
tiently and tireless he waited for the
exhaustion of his game, and then with
out effort brought it to the side of the
boat and lifted it in, "rock" of i'm
mense size, by means of rude gaf.
He had been carried q distance up
wards mile, and being now near
shore landed and triumphantly dragged
the trophy after him to his clapboard
cabin. While his wife and children
were admiring with loud CALCULATIONS,
'Briny Ann, his sister, whose house
was but few yards distant, entered.
"Whuh Wash?" she demanded.
"Fo' de Lor', done furgit WASH"
Turning quickly aside, Rot was near
to running for the first and only time
in his life as he made for his boat.
Springing in he padded vigorously to-
wards the original Fishing grounds" !"
''Golly, done reckon Wash ill git
plum torred .out afo' l git back" he
said refectively.
Utter amazement and measure of
reproach filed him as he reached the
place and saw no signs Of his brother
in-law. He stood upon tiptoe and
upon his knees, and peered into the
dark depths of the sluggish stream,
calling out repeatedly:
"Whuh you is, Washin'ton Jeff'son?
Git outen yer hidin', Wash. Oar now,
l sees yer"
Finally the truth dawned upon his
obtuse understanding and with q
heavy heart Rot turned his boat shore
ward, muttering aloud:
II done telled him l woz er comm
back; wot fur him didn' hol on2"
Briny Ann burst into loud lamenta-
tions when Rot broke the news and re-
fused to be comforted for some time,
but her tears finally dried when Rot,
in burst of generosity declared:
''Shet up, 'Briny, N you shill sho'ly
hab de whole entwire rock, dat you
shill, n suttingly wish Wash wuz
heah ter holp yer eat de grub."-Chi-
cago Tribune.
The Perils of Politics.
uNTx fr;apd cold tba candidate for