Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1900-01-06

number Of bass Yorker and ! caught in
Healey lake. We were trying to Guido the
Pastor, and did 90 far as the Lie was con-
cerned. and il he did not believe our story,
Il was because his own was not true. What
we"
81 shall have to refer this matter to the
congregation when we reach home, brother
Smith," put in the Pastor.
81 would advise you not to-" replied
Smith, "but as ! was going to say, whai
we did catch that day was all in the boat
when we returned, and, as several members
Of this club counted them, it will not be DIS,
puted when I say there were l3S bass Of
over the legal length"
at was only l2S, for counted them to-
gether with Husky BILL" said Iice.
"What is the matter OF ten bass more OF
less, anyways" replied Smith. but there
gentlemen, in my confession, l3S bass IN,
stead of the five or six hundred that told
about, and believe that every one will feel
better if they follow my example,.
az believe that the advice Smith gives US
ia good" said Yorker, "and realize now as
never did before the enormity OF the lie !
told in reference to the muskellunge ! caught
in Crane lake."
"You don't need to make any confession
Of that" said the Pastor, "for everybody
knew that it was lie when you told IT,.
at seems to me that remember distinct
" of your going TO Crane lake to fish for
muskellunge on the strength Of that story,
replied Yorker, "and it was not as bad as
your Crown island bass story at that.
my veracity is not in question at the
present time" replied the Pastor.
mo, we will hear from you later" said
Yorker, provided, Of course, your con-
science il not too elastic. But to return 10
INV Crane lake story, simply wish to say
that l did catch muskellunge, and that Il
did unset our boat, but that was due to our
awkwardness, rather than the size OF the
fiSh. for when we got it on shore, which we
finally did, it only weighed ~ pounds"
"You told me the truth Of that Crane
lake story the day We were at Healy lake
together" said Smith, land you said 1t only
weighed 81 pounds"
"NNhat 10 matter OF five pounds more OF
less in the size Of muskellunge! said York
er. and Bill Reeves nudged Husky Bill when
Smith did not reply.
al have told 40 many different tales re.
Rarding the size and weight OF fish that
have caught in these Ontario lakes and
rivers" said Tice, that l hardly know
where to begin my confession"
"Why not straighten out the Moon river
story Of So muskellunge, 70 bass and l20
trout in ten hours!" asked Husky Bill.
THAT might be good place to begin at,
as that story was exaggerated somewhat.
The truth Is that only caught IS muskel.
lupRe, 60 bass and no trout at all, Tor j
did not fish for them. There are any num-
Der of trout in that stream and its tribu.
taries, however, and / do not doubt that il
would be quite possible for man to catch
rs many fish as / said ] had caught in the
Moon river in the length Of time l claimed
TO have fished. In reality only fished nine
hours and three-quarters. As for the other
stories / have told about fishing in Kah'
pee-Kog and the surrounding lakes, / can
cover all Of them with the single statement
that / never caught more than Ito bass
in any one day in any of these lakes, but
that, / imagine, is better than any OF the
rest Of you ever did, il the whole truth wa'
known"
"Gentlemen," began the Pastor, "wher
Brother Smith started this little experienced
meeting, did not realize the good that Il
was TO accomplish. In fact, was afraid i
would result in more harm than good, ant
that the prevarications-I cannot bring my
self to the point Of calling them lies--thai
have been told by several Of you around thes'
evening fires would only be again exag
eerated, and that some OF you at least would
return to your homes with an added weigh
upon your conscience. 1t has pleased M
greatly to listen to such confessions a. hav'
been made this evening, and am sur
that You feel the better for having mad
them. There is one thing for which an
sorry, and that is that Brother Barnes !
mot here to retract the story he told o
catching more fab than caught at Crown IL
land several years ago. am sure that hal
Brother Barnes been with US tonight b
would have been moved to tell the rea
truth Of that story, and 80 remove LOAF
from his conscience"
"What are you going to do about tina
story Of yours that started the trouble!'
asked lice.
al wish TO say In regard 10 anything tina
I NAV have told since / have been here, tina
TO now deny the story, and offer so.calle'
confession would be but farce and Ii
in itsclf. When / told of those go bass my
self and friend caught in one day"
you said $50 before" said Smith.
POSSIBLY did, but $50 was the corree
number, and only wished to correct N,
former statement"
II guess those bonds you put up guaran
teeing the Pastors reputation win be Dc
clarsd forfeited when You get home," aaii
Husk hin to Smith, a. they walked back 4
the clubhouse.
swell, Il has taught me lesson, any
Il way, = replied Emith, "and / won't be 90 fool
iSh again very soon. Ian sorry for his 1ak
e well a. my own