The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1898-12-15
Cleopatra's Fishing Party.

CleOpatra'R E1Sn.nr FaFIE.
E. b. House contributes to the'St,
Nicholas a series of papers on "Bright
Sides of History" This is made up
of bright and entertaining episodes in
history, given in a story about modern
boys and girls, showing that tile an
clients wee Just as fond of fun and
frolic as their latte" day descendants.
House relates the following story:
"When Antony first went to Alex
andria as mighty general, Cleopatra
thought it necessary to keep the con-
euering hero in good humor by Offer
ing him all sorts of diversions and
pastines, which he tried to repay as
we'll as he could. One day he gave
orders for a great fishing expedition,
very much to Cleopatra's delight, as
fishing was one of the sports she ez-
celleu in. Antony was either unlucky
OF 1nsk. .llful On this occasion, for he
brought up nothing, while the Egyp-
tian queen never dropped her line
without catching prize worthy Of an
expert. He was so disgusted at his
failure that lie tried to nuke matters
look better by playing a trick on his
companion. he secretly sent some
divers down into the water to fasten
fish upon his hook, aud then pulled
them in with a fine show of triumph,
calling everybody to o!'ser' how sue.
cessful he was. Unfortunately for
him, Cleopatra bad observed mo;e
than he wished. She ke It quiet, how
ever, and pretended she had never
seen 50 sklful a fisherman in her life.
She said so much in Antony's praise,
and held him up as such master OF
the sport, that when she invited him
to go out again the next day, he tried
to excuse himself, fearing that he cer-
tainly woald be detected. But she
insisted, and he was obliged to take
the risk, or confess that he was not
so clever as he seemed" ..
"He might have tried the same
game once MORE" interposed Harry,
who conside ell that the tale was for
his especial benefit, and told particu-
larly tn him.
"That is what he meant to do, !"
continued Uncle Claxton, ''but Cleo
patra was 10, bright for him: She
had diver vi her own on board, and
sent him into the sea with big salt d
fish, like those which are now sold in
the market. This was hung upon
Antony's hook, and as soon as he felt
the weight, he began to dance about,
crying that be had a bite before any
body else, and hauling in his line as
proudly as if he had won battle.
You can imagine his dismay when the
dead fish, split open and salted, bobbed
out Of the water, and all his followers
shouted with laughter. :"
"Good for Cleopatra!',' exclaimed
Harry. 'T'd like to Try that joke my
self, the first time I get a chance"
Chow did Antony like it?" asked
Percy Carey, the Oldest of the boys
and his uncle's name*ake.
"He didn't like it at all. Ee was
red hot with anger. But Cleopatra,
who was always quick-witted, con-
trived to pacify him with compliments
and flattery, saying that his strength
was in capturing provinces, kingdoms
and cities, and that after winning all
the elories of war he ought rot to
grudge a poor African queen Eer
humble exploits with the hooS aad
line. Then he forgaye her as lie al
ways did, no matter what trick size
might play"
rs that story true, uncle?" in
ouired Harry's sister Louise,
'sAs true as most histo: y of tae
kind, my dear. Ancient writer's be-
Iieved it. There is no reason why It
should not have taken place.