Frederick citizen., 1895-01-04
'ROT'S" OFFER OF SYMPATHY.
Having Watched the Husband Drown He
Consoles the Widow.

hCIOubbuS anu w siSh-
ingt on jefferson We're 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 a 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 adjace Mt woods. Trapping
however, involved more exercise than
either was willing to put forth, and
they finally settled down to fishing for
8 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
mere accomplishment, and they were
SO moved by the pleadings of the WON
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
blaclness, while Wash, ''yaller Mig.
GER shot above six feet in stature
and he'd little more flesh upon him
than a herring bone after hungry
child has finished it.
Their boat was a very long and mar
row cypress "dug-out," which they
termed Gunner" while their equip
ment was very primitive, consisting of
long reed ''poles" and cotton lines with
bits of iron for sinl1ers. 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 a
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 a days seige. They pad,
dick for the middle of the stream, and
when it was reached prepared their
hooks and east ont their lines, intend.
ing to float lazily with the listless
tide. Immediately Il 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 oil
which just showed above the returning
NIPPLES 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'nly.'
Having muttcred 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,
!iently 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 a rude gaff
We had been carried distance up
wards mile, and being now near
shore landed and triumphantly dragged
The trophy after him to his clapboarc
sabin. While his wife and childreI
were admirinE with loud calculations
Briny Ann, his sister, whose hous,
was but few yards distant, entered
"Whuh Wash?' she demanded.
''Fo' de Lor, | done furgit Wash.
Turning quickly aside, Rot was neai
to running for the first and only time
in his life as he made for his boat
>pringing in he padded vigorously to
wards the original fishing grounds.
'Golly, done reckon Wash ill git
plum torred ont afo' | git back h.
said refectively.
Utter amaZement and a measure o.
reproach filled him IS he reached tn,
place and saw no signs of his brother
in-law. lie stood upon tiptoe ant
looked over the waste of waters, fel
upon his knees, and peered into tn,
dark depths Of the sluggish stream
calling out repeatedly:
''Whuh you is, Washinton Jeff'son'
Git outen yer hidin, Wash Oar now
sees yer"
Finally the truth dawned upon hi,
obtuse understanding and with ,
heavy heart Rot turned his boat shore
ward, muttering aloud:
Il done teiIed him ! woz er comm
back; wot fur him didn' hoI on?'
'Briny Ann burst into loud lamenta
tions when Rot broke the news and re
fused to be comfortcd for some time
but her tears finally dried when Rot
in burst of generosity declared:
'Shet up, 'Briny, N yon shill shol,
hab de whole entwire rock, dat yo,
shill. N ! suttingly wish Wash wa
heah ter holp yer eat de grub. Chi
cago Tribune.