The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-07-05
STOPPED THE TRAIN
AN INCIDENT OF TRAVEL ON A. Ca
MADAM RAILWAY.

ed, and the Passengers All Piled
Out to See the Fish Landed.
The train was whirling along at a.
good rate for Canadian train. 1t was
the Quebec express from st. John and
Halifax, and the passengers were idly
gazing at the beautiful scenery in an
tlcipation Of the breakfast that was
awaiting them at the next stopping,
place.
For miles here the track Of the Inter-
colonial railway runs parallel with the
Matapedia river, one of the best salm-
on fishing streams In the Dominion
and the one from whose Icy waters the
Princess Louise brought to gait what
Is said to be the largest salmon ever
killed by woman.
| The country Is of kind to stir the
soul Of the sportsman and make his
breath come short and quick at the
thought Of trying his luck amid such
glorious surroundings. AT times the
railroad runs for half mile or SO on
the very brink of the rapid little river,
| the embanlment being walled with
stone to prevent its sliding into the
| water. Then as the river takes Il turn
1t is lost sight of, and the train plunges
into the deep forest, through which the
sparkling waters are soon seen again.
The next moment you are plunging
along with the Matapedia under your
feet
This morning rs the Quebec express
burst upon Il long stretch Of river one
Of the passengers whose eyes were ca
gerly directed along it saw an eighth
Of mile ahead the silver glitter Of
splendid salmon leaping high out of
water. The next moment he heard the
wheeze of the steam brakes jammed
on hard, and the train was brought 10
a sudden stop
Alarmed at first. he sat waiting for
the crash Of q collision. But he saw
nothing in the faces OF the excited pas
sehgers to confirm his fears. Every
one was standing up and peering from
the car windows, yet the anxiety was
only that shown by people who are
waiting to see a horse race or n base
ball game. Catching the attention of
one excited man just rs tie cars were
coming to n standstill. the mystifed
passenger asked him what was up.
Hes struck n fish," the man shouted
back as he piled out with the others,
leaving the mystilied one to follow
along about as much in the dark as be-
fore.
%
motion was quickly made plain. Ev-
cry man, woman and child in the five
cars of the express train and the train
hands as well had hustled out and TAX
en- up places on the brink Of the Mata-
peda. On the other side of the stream
stood tall, digniled man in twccds.
In his hands was Il fishing rod bowed
almost double by the strength Of the
big salmon that had taken the sports
mans lure. At his side stood an In
dian, gaff in hand and closely watch
ing every movement of the hooked
fish.
The silver flash that had caught the
eye of the passenger a moment before
had not escaped the notice Of the
watchful engineer away on ahead in
his cab. He saw that the salmon had
taken the fly, and his sporting blood
was aroused. His one thought then
was to see the end Of the magnificent
struggle he knew was to follow. SO he
slammed the throttle shut and clapped
on the power brakes.
Most Of the people in the train were
Canadians, and they suspected what
was to do. A glance from the window
confirmed their impression, and IN a
few moments more the whole trainful
thrilling battle.
1t was certainly an unusual spectacle
to behold hundred or more persons
standing there amid the wild scenery,
silent and following breathlessly every
turn of the life fight that game fish
was making, seemingly for their ex-
press enjoyment. The man In the
tweeds paid not the slightest apparent
attention to the crowd across the river.
which at this point was about $50
yards wide. He just attended to bust
ness, and he had his hands full.
The bringing to gaff Of hard fight |
ing salmon has often been described, |
so 1t is not necessary to tell Of the val
liant struggles this Matapedia fish made
to break the silken line or tear the |
feathered hook from his flesh. He
worked as hard for his life as ever fish |
did, but steadily the skillful person In |
tweeds reeled him In. Inch by inch at
first and then foot by foot lie was
brought nearer to the deadly steel In
the hands Of the Indian.
At last the Indian fell to his knees,
and, reaching out the gaff as the an
gler brought the fish carefully within
reach, there was fash Of cleaning
scales, and the guide jumped to his feet,
holding high a 40 FOUNDER for the In
spection Of the spellbound knot OF
travellers across the river. They look
sd at 1t for a moment, and then there
went up a spontaneous, ringing cheer,
whereat Mr.. Dignity In the tweeds I'M
bent and, taking Off his cap, bowed low
in graceful recognition Of the tribute
to his skill as taker Of salmon.
Then the locomotive screeched "Toot,
tootr' the conductor shouted AL
aboardw and the sporting trainful were
soon being hurried along toward the
almost forgotten breakfast.-New York |