Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-06-12
the bank. II can't ketch no fish IL you
two fools don't quit iawin."

} TWO Ioois don't quit jawin."
. The sun was dipping below the pine
Gay ridge, flooding river and wood
with a fierce radiance. The spruce
, needles glittered, edged with gold; ev.
cry broad green leaf wore heart of
gilded splendor, and the muddy wa
tiers OF the river rolled onward like q
flood of precious metal, heavy, bur-
nished, nOiseless.
from balsam bOugh a thrush ut
tered three timid notes; great gauzy
winged grasshopper drifted blindly in
to clump Of sun scorched weeds,
click, click, cr-r-r-r!
Purity, amt it?" said Craig, looking
at the thrush. Then he swallowed the
last morsel of muddy hard tack, WHIP
ed his beard on his cuff, hitched up
his trousers, took off his green glasses
and rubbed his eyes.
"A he catbird sings purifier, though"
he said, with a yawn.
Alden drew out his watch. puffed
once or twice and stood up, stretch
Ing his arms in the air.
| ITS A. O'clock" he began, but was
cut short by shout from Connor.
Gee whiz!' he yelled. what have
got on this here poleY
The ramrOd was bending, the line
| swaytng heavily In the current.
ITS o'clock, Connor," said Alden.
keeping wary eye on Craig.
That's all rightw called Craig. "The
times extended till yewr friend lands
that there fishv'
Pulls like porpoise," grunted Con-
nor. Hang it! bet it bu'sts my ram
rodv'
Does 1t pull?" grinned Craig.
"Yes; dead weight"
Don't 1t Jerk kinder this way an
that" asked Craig, much interested.
Nav" said Connor. 1.-The bloody
thing jest pulls steady"
"Then 1t amt no 'redhorse.' It's
catfish"
HUH" sneered Conner. Don't I
know catfish? This amt no catfish. |
femme tell yerr'
"Then it's log" laughed Alden.
by gum, here it comesw painted
Connor Here, Alden, jest you ketch
1t with my knife. Hook the blade,
blame YEP
Alden cautiously descended the red |
bank Of mud, holding on to roots and
branches, and bent over the water. He
hooked the big bladed claspknife like a
scythe, set the spring and leaned out
over the water.
Now" muttered Conner.
An oily circle appeared upon the sur
race Of the turbid water, another and
another. A few bubbles rose and float
ed upon the tide.
Then something black appeared Just
beneath the bubbles, and Alden hooked
1t with bis knife and dragged 1t shore
ward. ~
1t was the sleeve of a mans coat.
Conner dropped his ramrod and
gaped at the thing. Alden would have
tossed 1t. but the knife blade was tan
gled in the sleeve. Ii
He turned sick face up to Common.
Pull 1t in" said the older man.
Here. give 1t to me, lad"
When at last the silent visitor Law
upon the bank, they saw 1t was the !
body OF Union cavalry man. Alden !
stared at the dead face, fascinated.
Conner mechanically counted the vel
low cheyrons upon the blue sleeve, now s
soaked black. The muddy water ran 9
over the baked soil, spreading out in !
lust covered pools. The spurred boots
'rickled slime. After awhile both men i;
turned their heads and looked at Craig.
The southerner stood silent and grave, /,
Ills battered cap In his hand. They r
'yed each other quietly for a moment; r
hen, with a vaEle gesture, the south &
'rner walked back into his pit and n
presently reappeared, trailing his rifle.
Conner had already begun to dig with
lis bayonet, but he glanced up at the
life in Craig's hands. Then he looked =
uspiciously into the eyes of the south r
rner. Presently he bent his head again q,
nd continued digging. n
1t was sunset before he and Alden n
nished the shallow grave, Craig W
Watching them in silence, his rifle be- q
ween his knees. When they were .
eady, they rolled the body into the q
ole and stood up.
Craig also rose, raising his rife to a :.
present" He held 1t there while the =,
wo Union soldiers shoveled the earth II
ITO the grave. Alden went back and in
fled the two rifles from the pit, hand di
Common his and waited. bt
Ready" growled Connor. "Aimw pl
Ahen's rifle came to his shoulder.
raig also raised his rifle.
"Firev' n
Three times the three shots rang out M
the wilderness over the unknown r
rave. After moment or two Alden In
odded good night to Craig across the so
yer and walked slowly toward his
file pit. Conner shambled after him.
s he turned to lower himself into the 10
t he called across the river: Va
Good night. Craigr a.
"Good night, Connorw said Craig or
!. Louis POst-Dispatch. re-