The Florence tribune., 1898-02-26
PETE BERRYs FISH STORY.
Old John Hance of the Canyon Yields
 the Belt to Berry.
 From the Williams Eawsl

From the Williams Eewsl
 A rival for John Hance, who was supposed to have no equal in the line of fairy tales, has been found at last. He was in town this week, and the rela- tion of his wonderful experiences prom ises to cause general exodus to the Grand Canyon, where the truth of his stories may receive optical endorse ment.
 John Hance has long held the belt as the champion prevaricator of the can- yon. Strangers from afar, who had seen wonderful things by flood and field, and held honorary membership in the Ancient and Honorable Order of Prevaricators, when they heard John tell of his weird adventures and of the dangers he had passed, went away and sent in their resignations as members of the order; grizzled pioneers of Ari- zona, who have drunk deep of the in- sidious waters of the Hassayampa, the imbibing of which is to make confirmed and unexcelled prevaricators, have bowed in reference before Johns easy and graceful, yet gssashAs, style of narration the religiously inclined have turned sickly pale and fled in conster- nation when they heard of Mir. Hanee's thrilling horseback leap right into the jaws of the canyon after 8 band of mountain sheep which led horse and rider over the precipice. But alas for greatnessl Its star sometimes wavers when least expected.
 One stormy winter night, when the snow lay heavy on the ground, there stumbled into Pete Berry's camp an old man almost overcome from the weariness of long travel over the rug ged mountain trails. He was John Hance. After coffee restoratives, and during the after inspiaation of tobacco, John entertained Mir. Berry with his budget of fairy tales, embellishing them with many characteristically quaint turns that convinced the listener that his guest was perfectly sincere in his statements. Berry listened patient ly until the campfire burned low, when sudden inspiration seized him and he thought of chance to get even.
 "I have 8 fine mess of fresh fish for dinner every day now, John, , said he.
 "Fish," exclaimed John, looking up suspiciously. "Where in the world do you get fresh fish at this time of the year2"
 "Why," said Pete, "I catch lem in the snow. Did you never hear of snow fish? Best eating in the, world, and the snow out there is full of lem. .'=e
 John pondered a moment, and sthen nicely fell into the trap. s1Ja
 "What kind of fish are theyFs' he asked innocently. 9s
 "Why, they're suckersp" answered Pete gleefully.
 The Old Man of the Canyon arose, cast one whitening glance of scorn and indignation at Berry and stalked from tEe place. For many months he did | not speak whenever chance happened to throw his rival in his way, and it is only recently that he consented to make friends again. During the period of their estrangement John was strangely silent in the storytelling line, and his silence left an opportunity of which Berry did not fail to take advantage. His fish story is regarded as classic, and many wayfarers at his Grand View hotel have been caught on it. His en- .rgy as a story-teller during Mr. Hance,s retirement is what has given Jim the distinction of being that gen. ,leman's only rival. As before stated, Pete was in the city this week, aud the ale of the snow fish was told to other uckers. As there is one born every minute he found large field here.
 MT. Berry is further distinguished as