The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-19

10 feed upon and Danish any tendency
TO pining.
How many do you think we got IN
your trap to-day. Dick?' the custodian
Of the mill will be- asked some evening.
Il reckon couple o. dozen. sah." VIII
likely be the answer. "Dere's about
thirty head and better cen dere now and
we's got two days and nights yet to
count on"
Think yOu'n have enough to make
out with?"
Rightly sab. rightly Some OF dem
trout and red horse what glimpse swim
min round to-day is busters: 'nOugh 20
do four people once round and have
some left over. Then I tends for black
Danl and Nebin TO try bout Wild hook
and line in de pond holes all Of de las
day before de frolic and fling what dey
ketch in dat big basin next de trap for
TO keep 'em fresh. i t'ink dat will give
saterfactiOn. sir" ard Dick old hand
at the business looks pleased I'm antici-
patton Of the approval he is sure 10 get.
Sldllets and frying pans that have been
long cooked i'm and are well TEMPERED
10 their business are got together by
DICK and tilted up in the mdllhOuse ready
for use. kindlings and solid oak fagots
that Will make good, lasting Goals are
collected. and long-handled forks. water
pals, knives and pans for the cleaning
are got in readiness. "If you want 10
taste the full flavor OF n fresh water
fish. you must take the fire to tho fish.
not the fish to the fire." is the theory
on which the fish feast Is based. and so
everything Is arranged that tha least
possible time need elapse between the
catching and eating OF the coveted game.
The selection Of a spot for the fireplace
requires no thought, the same place un-
der the great water oak that leans out
over the dam having served such pur-
pose for many seasons. Dick wheels I'D
sections OF stump and q fallen log or
two 10 within sociabe' distance. and
maps out little path down 10 the wa
ters edge. where the fish cleaners will
perform their functions On the evening
Of the fish fry, which will begin about
sundown and continue indefinitely, the
participants viii sit on these logs and
stumps In easy. care-free attitude: some
VIII sit fiat on the earth backed uD
against tree trunks and mill posts. and
10 the men who come out from town
this very LONELINESS gives spice and no.
Velty 10 the occasion. When the wo-
men folks and the family parties come
In the daytime Dick will get ready "A
table and fix hide-bottomed chairs
around, picnic fashion for he has we'll
established ideas of the formality de-
manded when the gentle sex is on the
ground.
Dick and the auxiliaries he has sum-
moned on his STAFF Of assistants and any
straggler5 permitted TO look on enjoy
the evening function best by keeping lust
out OF range OF the camD-hre's HIGHT.
though well within earshot Thus their
dusky faces attract no notice and they
enjoy at second hand the white folks
golngs on and any fun that may turn
up. Later. maybe, some one OF them
nil n farrl rnfN sraF.
dance for the cOmpany's amusement
while fresh batch Of fish Is being cook
ed or new bottle uncOrked.
The fish fry proper takes place nj
night, beginning at sunset and continue
ing indefinitely. according az tho appe-
tites and spirits OF the party dictate.
The fish picnic held I'm the daytime n
week or two later is n FAMILY affair Of
a different calibre. When the men are
hidden 10 the fish fry IL IS understood
that no hamper or lunch baskets are
expected. The host knows what 20 pro-
vide for men, but the women may bring
their baskets and tho sweet stufs and
cakes that girls and children like; only
any OF them who can be persuaded 10
ALLURE these generalities the fish epicure
will initiate into the niceties Of fish flesh
pure and simple, prepared and purveyed
under conditions exclusively primitive.
There did you ever taste anything
better than that?" the veteran FISH lover
will ask OF a novice, watching her mar
rowly as she tastes OF the piece he has
selected for her benefit.
"Nice as can be-" comes the verdict.
IT never knew that country fish-fresh-
water fish. you know-had such a favor"
"They don't have the right smack I'M
less they're absolutely fresh" declares
the connoisseur. "and you can't be sure
Of that unless you see them taken out OF
the water The flavor Of a fish or this
kind IS very subtle. like a perfume or
sentiment, and II loses virtue unless
eaten Just AT the right time. And an
other thing I've tested. All these cat
sups and condiments and dressings are
a mistake when fish are I'm the right
condition. They DO very well when the
flesh is fat and tasteless but you can
iust be sure that a good FISH can't be
improved by anything you contrive 70
put with St; fine fish. eaten with good
plain bread corn bread preferred. ana
something other than tea 10 wash II
/ down with and you have a meat IN FOR
| a king, or. rather for a man with
! healthy palate and sound perceptions"
The fish fries and fish plcnics are given
as usual down South this spring In the
customary places. and the sportsmen and
their wives and sisters and sweethearts
| participate, but many familiar forms ana
voices are missing from the ranks. FISH
ing rods OF fine temper-those long IN
use and wont 10 be much handled az
/ this time OF yoar-rest urdlsturhed IN
| their brackets against the ton wall or
/ the long piazzas. Their owners are on
/ 20 the war. and II Is not likely that tne
/ rods will be used this summer or that
/ the fish crate and precious tin box full
OF tackle will be opened. The anglers
stout coat, high boots. and broad-biim-
| med hat are relegated to obscurity ana
the eager-faced negro boys out by the
| countrys mills. on the watch 20 open