The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-12-21


LAW"
David was at first afraid this would
lead to a suspicion of the intent of his
operations along the brook. For
while there was little comment in re-
gard to the act, but it soon fell from
mems minds.
In April there came 10 600 'small
fry" from the Matching houses at Ply
mouth, and slso 300 good-sized trout.
David had everything ready for their
reception. The dam had been built;
but here David had required the as
sistance OF his father and uncle. AL
had ben done without arousing any
suspicion. The sound Of the axe was
supposed to be only the usual telling of
trees for the purpose of gaining fire.
wood. David's little speculation SEEM
ed to be prospecting. He was often at
work. He cleared away the brush and
limbs of trees which had gathered and
rotted in the spot where they fell for
several generations. He gave the brook
chance to widen in many places
When he had an opportunity to earn
an honest penny he gladly availed him
self of it to increase his capital.
Spring after spring found him patient
and eager. He had watched the devel-
opment of the little fish, and had fed
them, 80 that it required but his pres
ence TO bring hem out in swarms from
their holes. He saw some which meas
ured several inches in length and his
heart sweled with pride. The long
surcease from molestation had made
the fish bold. He discovered that a
line and the bait was sufficient to bring
them at once to the surface; and he
was at last, two years after our first &C.
quantance with him, awaiting in in
tense enthusiasm for the opening of
the next season among the mountains.
David had confided his plans to Ma
ior Worthindale alone, as the two were
good friends, and the Majors words
had suggested the scheme.
81 am deeply interested in your en-
terprse, my little man." the Major had
said the previous summer. "You have
gone to work in sensible manner, and
you have shown a good head. You
very fond of fish, and it is delight to
me to follow good trout brook, as this
is sure to be. You may depend on me
as one customer, and you must not
think of charging less than fifty cents
pound. | can guarantee that you will
be surprised with your success at the
end of the next season. | shall want
to take some parties up the mountain
to try the sport, and l shall pay you $2
an hour instead of 81 for each one.
You should not think of charging less.
You must also limit the number, for
YOU are likely to have demand that
might clean out the brook. l hope
may be put on the list of preferred GUS
toners.
David assured him that he should be
the fret 10 try the stream.
The third spring found David vigor
Gus boy of sixteen years. The work
and the project had been good thing
for him. 1t had made him industrious,
and had given him an abundance Of
health. He was good student in the
schools, and had outstripped his school
mates in the district school. During
the winter he had been sent to the
Littleton High School, and had shown
good qualities as student. He al
ready was feeling the birth of ambi-
tions, which good teacher, interested
in the welfare of young people, had in
stilled within him. His father and
mother, although they had not cared TO
pursue their studies further than was
necessary to make them proficient in
the simple mercantile requirements of
the farm, were also guessing at the am
billions stirring in the heart of their
son.
Major Worthindale arrived early in
May. He was one of the few who had
learned the glories of the early spring
in the White Mountains. He always
came in that month with his family,
and remained until the brilliant foliage
had been shed from the hillsides and
November found the snow. He gen.
orally returned to his New York home
in season for the holiday festivities.
One morning David called to say that
the brook was ready, and that he wished
to invite him on an excursion with rod
and reel. 1t was kind of "opening
day." and the Major was the only guest,
1t was one of those sombre mornings
which sometimes chance upon the sun
shine of May The Major had brought
a splendid outfit, and was eager for the
sport; he was well rewarded. They
went far up among the tarns and around
the friDged shores of the placid little
lake. Everywhere there was quick
response to the wiles of the acute
| fisherman.
When they returned from that morn
ing excursion Dsvid's success was as
sured. More than this might be said;
the little idea which had taken root in
the boys mind was the germ of good
and useful life, filled to the brim with
prosperity.
81 will not attempt to be prophet:
the case is too transparent for that. i
will only say that at the end of this
summer your father will have good
reason to thank that broad and SEN
sible brow of yours for the best paying
piece of property on the old farm"
Thus the old warrior-for he had tast.
ed the experience of war-gave the
true verdict at the end of his first days
fishing.
That summer proved the truth of his
assertion. The result was, of course
not fortune; but 1t was the beginning
of one. There was double the number