The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-12-31
CIeonatra's Fishing Party.

E. H. 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 i'll story about modern
boys and girls, showing that the an
clients were just as fond of fun and
froIic as their latter-day descendants.
Houserelates the following story;
"When Antony first went to Alex
andria as a mighty general, Cleopatra
thought it necessary to keep the con-
quering hero in good humor by offer
ing him all sorts Of diversions and
pastimes, which he tried to repay as
well 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 ex-
celled in Antony was either unlucky
or unskillful 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 Disguised at his
failure that lie tried to make 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, and then pulled
! them in with fine show of triumph,
calling everybody to observe hOw sue
cessful he was. Unfortunately for
him, Cleopatra had observed more
than lie wished. She kept quiet, how
ever, and pretended she had never
seen so sllilful fisherman in her life.
She said so much in Antony's praise,
and held him up as such a master of
the sport, that when she invited him
to go ont again the next day, he tried
to excuse himself, fearing that he GER
tainly would be detected. But she
insisted, and he was obliged to take
the risk, or confess that he was not
so clever as he seemed. "
Gle might have tried the same
game once more" interposed Harry,
who considered that the tale was for
his especial benefit, and told particu-
larly to him.
"That is what he meant to do, .
continued Uncle Claxton, "but Cleo
patra was to- bright for him. She
had diver vf her own on board, and
sent him into the sea with a big salted
fish, like those which are now sold II
the market. This was hung upor
Antony's hook, and as soon as he fell
the weight, he began to dance about,
crying that he had bite before any
body else, and hauling in his line as
proudly as if he had won a battle.
You can imagine his dismay when the
dead fish, split open and sailed, bobbe(
out of the water, and all his followers
shouted with laughter, -
"Good for Cleopatra" exclaimed
Harry. "Pd like to try that joke my
self, the first time get a chance"
Glow did Antony like it," asked
Percy Carey, the oldest of the boys
and'his uncle's namesake.
'He didn't like it at all. He was
red hot with anger. But Cleopatra
who was always quick-witted, con
trived to pacify him with compliment
and fattery, saying that his strength
was in capturing provinces, kingdoms
and cities, and that after winning al
the glories of war he ought not t.
grudge a poor African queen he
humble exploits with the hook anC
line. Then he forgave her as he al
ways did, no matter what trick sh
might play"
SIS that story true, uncle?" in
CURED Harrys sister Louise,
''As true as most history of tn
kind, my dear. Ancient writer's be
lieved it. There is no reason why i
should not have taken place"