Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-29
WENT FISHING ON SUNDAY.
Bostonian Izaak WaItons Who Struck Hard
Luck in Maine.

they are not fishermen themselves will
told by party of Bostonians who
went down to Maine on Sunday for a
fishing trip. The Boston Herald tells
the tale, and it is of special interest to
Gardiner and Hallowell people.
1t seems that the party mentioned
left Boston at $40 o'clock Sunday
morning on the newspaper train for
Hallowen. Upon reaching that city
they proceeded to Cobbosseecontee
lake, where d guide had a camp open
for them. After making the necessary
preparations for comfort. they went
out on the lake and cast flies during
the forenoon. But Maine fish are too
well trained to be hungry on Sunday.
and the fishermen caught nothing bur
large-szed appetite.
After dinner the party took to their
boats again, but met with no better.
success, while a third attempt on Mon
day morning was also barren of re-
suits. Now it seems that the fisher
men had made liberal promises of fish
10 friends at home, and ii was with
something of a feeling of desperation
that they went out on the water Mon
day afternoon. Flies We're abandoned,
and they began to troll for bass.
AT last fortune favored them. so the
story goes. Bass seemed to grow on
the ends Of their lines. The multitude
of the fish cast dark shadows over the
surface of the water. 1t was a time of
deep, Astounding joy. And when the
shades of night began 20 fall and the
fishermen drew in their lines. lighted
their pipes ana started shoreward, the
pile of fish in the bottom of the boat
filed them with deep content. 1t was
could hear the cracking of the frogs
ana the lazy signing Of the wind in the
tree tops. Nature was full Of the peace
and joy of early spring.
The thought Of leaving the woods
and returning To city life was repul-
sive, but there was one redeeming
fcature-that handsome pile Of five
pound bass which were to be exhibited
to admiring friends The anticipation
of it kept up the spirits of the party.
The express for Boston left Hallowell
at II o'clock at night. The party drove
from camp to Hallowell early in the
evening. The Democrat wagon was
drawn by a horse which had long since
passed the heydey of youth. II was ar
animal which was accustomed 10 stand
where it was stopped unless some al
most superhuman effort induced it to
move on.
Upon reaching Hallowell a very
slight pull on the reins causes the
horse to anchor himself in front Of a
restaurant. The four fishermen de-
seconded from the wagon. and We're
about to enter the restaurant when
one OF them suggested that it would be
safer if they took their travelling bags
inside with them. This was done, but
the case of five-pound bass, carefully
boxed up. was left in the wagon.
The party leisurely refreshed them
selves and prepared for their journey.
As train time approached. bills were
paid and the fishermen sauntered out
to tine sidewalk. Now, although Maine
is 4 prohibition State. no one of them
could see that horse or the Democrat
wagon with the fish. They looked up
the street and down the street and
around the corner. There was no horse
in sigh; and no wagon.
Is this a joke" each asked the
other suspiciously but all disavowed
any knowledge as to the Whereabouts
Of the horse.
The horse had never been known to
move of his own accord. Plainly. hero
was 4 rys.ery. The party adjourned
to the restaurant to talk il over. They
talked earnestly. They said things
about the horse ard about the town
and about their own carelessness
which were hardly respectful.
When they recovered their self
possession they began to cast about for
the means to regain possession Of the
fish Then was called in the United
States marshal, the chief of police, the
fish warden. the justice of the peace,
the constabulary. Livery stables fur
nished their fastest rigs. People ran
hther and thither. The fishermen
themselves in hired rigs dashed mady
through the city streets.
But all search was vain. The horse,
the Democrat wagon, the case of five
pound bass, all seemed to have van
ished as if the earth had opened and
swallowed them up.
AT II o'clock the express for Boston
pulled into the Hallowell station and
four Disguised fishermen boarded it.
Friends who anticipated having bass
for breakfast Tuesday morning made i