Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-08-16

w W question as to whether we
found Tom or Tom found
us. These are the facts:
My friend and myself had gone to
Tomahawk lake on a quest for mus
kies, with which the waters abound.
The Northwestern train that left Chi
cago In the evening landed us at the
little station early the following
morning. By the aid of the hotel pro-
prietor we found our way to the hos
telry and registered for few DAVIS
stay. Breakfast over we were ready
for whirl at the muskies, and 1t was
then that we found Tom or Tom found
rs.
He was sitting on the bow of the
boat we were to use, ready to cast off
as soon as the passengers were aboard.
1t was evident that either Tom or the
landlord had taken 1t for granted that
we wanted guide-which was true:
IL was evident also that Tom was con-
sidered good one and fully equal to
our most exacting demands-which
was doubly true. Though we had not
engaged guide we accepted Tom. as
Heaven sent and asked no questions,
nor did Tom explain as to the whyfore
of HIS presence.
Tom" That was the only name
we knew for two or three days. He. of
course, had another, but we asked no
questions at Rrst, nor did Tom vouch-
safe any information on that point
or any other. Between Strikes" /
studied him as matter of personal
amusement, and had decided in my own
mind that he was born a down-sas st
Yankee, raised to early manhood on a
Vermont or New Hampshire farm, and
that he had spent the iast 30 years OF
his life as a northwestern woodsman.
1t is probable that should have gone
on thinking this of him had not my
friends curiosity prompted him TO ask
questions. That Is the way with my
friend. He wants to know things, and
when he does not see or hear what he
wants he asks for It. He has made a
success in life, and, viewing him from
q newspaper mans standpoint, think
this trait accounts for much of his
success. 1t was my friend who asked
Tom his nationality.
French" replied Tom, without hes
itation.
"Frenchi" exclaimed. '"Why, you
are n down-east Yankee"
"No, French" he said again.
If / am to take Toms word for his
nativity should say he was born in
France, named In Ireland-his last
name was Maloney-educated in New
England and lived in the Wisconsin
pine woods. For the last he had the
dialect of the woods. and he had the
stories when once you could get him
started in telling them. He can tell
tales by the column of the early days
of log rafting down the Wisconsin and
Mississippi rivers to st. Louis.
speaking of cities" / said, as he
completed tale of trip 70 ST. Louis
by way of the river, shave you ever
been in Chicago?"
"No," he replied, IAN never want to
ga. Got all want of cities after seem
St. Louis"
In his way Tom was a diplomat. ]
carried a supply of cigars, and my
friend was generally supplied with
bait" Tom was a user of both at
times, and it depended on which he
wanted at the moment as to which re-
ceived the greatest attention.
Now If you will east your line right
over beside that log you will most
likely git strike" he would say to
my friend, when he wanted tap at the
bait" But the logs and other ia
vorite spots so well known to the old
guide were pointed out to me when
Tom wished to smoke. In time we got
to know this trait of his and rather
cultivated it, for we usually got Just
what he said we would when we obeyed
these little dictates. Because of this
latter fact Tom never failed to accom-
plish the desired result so far as drink
or cigar were concerned.
Another trait of Toms character
was his evasiveness. He was never
quite sure of anything, save the loca.
ton of fish when drink or cigar
was wanted.
~Tom, do you think it will rain?" ]
asked one day as we were starting
out, and the clouds were black and
low.
'Wen, it may, and then agin 1t NAV
not" he replied.