The Republican journal., 1898-10-20
Fish and Game Stories.

George A. Boardman contrib utes the
following to the Calais Times:
One of the Times readers told me he
did not care for my last paper; it was fol
old folks. 'Why," said he, "three-
fourths of century was before my grand
father was born. Write some good old
fishing, sporting and camp stories.'
told him l would try, but would not vouch
for their truthfulness.
Il cannot tell how the truth may be,
But tell the tale as twas told to me-
The first that | recall is an anecdote OF
that good old angler, DR.. Bethune. He
was a great friend of the late Seth W.
Smith of Calais, and he was introduced
to the game fish of the st. Croix by Rev.
James W. Smith, Philadelphia. The Rev.
| Dir. Bethune, of the Dutch Reformed
church, was not very clerical looking,
even in the pulpit; but in his forest and
stream toggery he was something wonder
full, even for the woods.
A worthy woman, Mrs. Gould, who
had entertained him at Grand Lake
Stream, heard he was a city preacher
but could not make it out that he should
be so unlike preacher in dress and ad-
dress. However, she knew he would tel
her the truth and one day she asked him
if he was really preacher.
Madam replied the doctor, 81 am
verbi domini minister"
That was not English, nor was it Indi-
an; but there was minister in it and
something that sounded very much like
''dominie;;' so, in default of sufficient in
formation on that score, she asked
"Well, where do you live anyhow
"Do you know where Manayunk s?'
inquired the doctor.
NO, don't" admitted Mrs. Gould.
Swell, | live about five miles from
Manayunk," was the reply.
DR.. Bethune lived and ministered in
Philadelphia, and Manayunk, five miles
distant, was not in the corporate limits.
The same good doctor, as the story goes
was speaking to a Sunday school, and
after quite speech, and to further
simplify the illustration to the younger
members, the pastor said: "a few
months ago | was fishing in the Maine
lakes. A noble trout arose, and seized
the bait. Again and again drew the fish
near the canoe. Finally, tired out and
weary with his efforts to escape, the fish
was landed Gazing about on his audi
ence to see the effect of his story. a small
boy in the front seat astonished the school
by exclaiming: But mister, how much
did lie weigh?''
Another minister was disconnected in
similar way. He was illustrating some
point by the loading and discharge of
gun. lie described the process, first, by
pouring into the muzzle of his imaginary
gun the powder, then the wad the shot,
and wads again. He put ON the cap,
raised the gun to his shoulder and ex-
claimed; "Now, what do do next?"
'Pull the triggeri' shouted the small
boy in a front pew.
Here is a story told of the wedding Of
one the best known ''sports," " devoted to
the rod, dog and gun from almost infancy.
He was good fellow but a bit wild-un-
tanned, perhaps. He was married in
church, and entered the sanctuary. for the
first time since childhood. The progress
of the ceremony he describes himself:
'Presently | saw the parson motioning TO
me with his book. | could not under
stand what he meant, and looked inquir-
lngly at him. Again he raised the book
to his chin, and brought it downward
Still | couldn't make the sign out. At
last the minister came forward and whs-
pered: Down, charge, close Then |
knelt; and that was what he wanted" "
A few years ago, out at the Meadows,
meeting Mr.. c., asked him if he had
had any shooting this season. ooh, yes, - he
answered, "all | wanted; but if there is
any bird | can't hit it's a snipe. Had all
the shooting | wanted, though. There
was one snipe, in wet place near the
house. | hunted all the season, until a
darn fool of fellow came along the other
day and shot him.