The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-04-28
GOOD JOKE ON FOUR FEDERAL EAPLt

4 weH-known Pension Office clerk tells
an amusing story Of a fishing expedition
in which he took part last summer The
marty of four department clerks hired .
napktha launch for trip TO the lower
Potomac and making St. Georges IslaEd
headquarters. we're in the habit of cruis-
ing around the broad expanse Of water in
that region This Is 2 favOTiJe fishing
ground Tor those who make q living by
catching the fnuy tribe, and the followers
of the business are usually a queer SCI,
tacIturn and cTusty. 10 the last degree.
4 mile OF two of the island the pleas
ure seekers we're in the habit Of running
across an old salt in z diIaDidated canoe
busIly engaged in running his travis.
Often they would try TO engage this an
Gent mariner in conversation, but beyond
a few monosylables could get nothing out
Of hina.
Despairing OF striking Up al aeqaaiHt-
ance with him. and thinking they would
have some sport. they used TO cruise
around his fishing ground. and call cut &c
him in the yeTnacular OF lower Maryland:
Say, mister, are you catching az
c-a-t-s:"
Never a word IN reply would they get;
the fisherman absorbed in the labor OF
attending to lines and cutting halt seemed
oblivious Of their presence
One night, the party wishing TO visit
the trout banks on the day following.
asked the landlord OF the hotel TO pro
cure fer them good guide
Early next morning somewhat to their
surprise their old acquaintance, the lone
fisherman. presented himself and said he
was ready to show them where they could
catch e hull boatIoad of the durndest big
gest fish they ever seed Striking bar
gain with him a coed sized basket CT
eatab1es and drinkabt-s vas placed in
his Gunner, and hosting the old
patched lego mutton sail he led the way
down the river. followed by the party in
the launch. a stiff breeze made the
rickety old craft show her heels in a
surprising manner. and it was up TO the
launch to show her speed After a five
mile run down the river Just as they were
expecting TO reach the fishing grounds the
old man put his helm hard to port, and
the launch shooting past ran slap. bang
into a mud bank. The pilot kept his
course for a hundred yards then dropped
anchor and proceeded to hsh. It was not
long before he began to haul in some extra
fine trout.
The fishing party we're SO taken By sur
prise that It was some time before they
realized the trick played upon them and
endeavored 10 get the launch of the
bank In the meantime the tide had
turned ebb, and the launch began 10 lie
YEARLY over on its side The rays Of the
sun were beating down upon the strand
ed fishermen, and anon the sand flies.
hunger and thirst added to their misery
IN piuful accents the guide was aP-
Pealed 10 for succor, but he only paused
long enough between the act of pulling in
monster trout to ask: Say, boys, are ye
Catchin' Cny CATS
Noon came, and the old man reaching
down opened the provision hamper and
taking out a sandwich and cooI-Iookinc
bottle Of beer. said: Here goes.
Sandwich after sandwich disa ppeared,
each accompanied by a bottle OF tho an
Der 1Uid, and almost within reach SAT
four disconsolats, starring wretches upon
The half-oveI turned launch. glarinE with
The Intensity Of famished wolves. IS the
sun Was sinking beyoud the Virginia shore
the cid man heaved Up his anchor, and
with q brief '-Slcng; hope ven catch
some Cats" sailed away for the island
That night at high tide, by dint OF wad-
ing. pulling and showing, the launch was
hauled Ell, and a sorry looking lot they
were when they sreaked into he hotel
covered with mad, and with han IS and
faces Peeling fFcIa the effects OF Old SOILS
rays.