The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-06-17
A BUNCH OF BASS.

CnafleS ana agreed. we uSually do.
 This time there could be no possible dis pute on the main proposition. That is to say, the bass were ripe. We despise not the ancient and honorable worm, and never before saw such royal speci- mems. Surely no respectable bass would turn up his nose at these. My ancient cigar box (beg it's pardon. I
 mean tackle box) showed things to be in good shape, and selected spoon, a
 plain Nessmuk gang of three hooks, and a new-fangled aluminium bait and reel, and were soon under way.
 Old Nelly didn't seem to be in as much haste as we, being fat, lazy by sature, and feeling secure in her position of pet
 of the family for eighteen years. She finally got us to Three Mile Lake, being
 threatened many times with the whip on the way. Whereat verify believe
 could see the old lass smile a real horse
 smile, for she never got it once, and
 evidently knew she would not.
 The air was delightfully."- cool, clear, and clean-washed with June's frequent
 showers; laden with odors from roses and lilies and woods. These are the days that make one glad he is alive, and with eyes to see and soul to appreciate
 Dame Natures loveliness. These the days that make you hunger for the com- munion of lake and river and glen and grove. I am sorry for the man or wo-
 man to whom it is not so. and these things as 8 sealed book.
 Three Mile Lake looked too rough for good luck, and we went a mile further to lake smaller and and more shelter ed. The ever-present small boy said:
 "Yes, 'am," there were bass in this lake, and, "Yes, ma'am," we could get a boat. The boat was g. tub which rowed like ferryboat, but without its steadiness! It leaked. it was cranky" as an old maid, the anchor was rock, and the chain heavy enough to hold the Oregon. But we were reckless, and in that fishing temper which makes light of trif1es such as these.
 To rig, to embark and to strike the fringe of lily pads on the further shore was not long task. We had no luck getting minnows or frogs, but this did not stop us and with the plebeian worm the small boys friend, and the alumin- um spinner we went after them. They were at home that day in the mood for business. Casting just over to the edge of the lily pads, near three blossoms, I got @ rise but failed to score. Next time did better, landing a one-pound- CT. Charles raised me with one and a half. Over by the bulrushes we hooked a two-pounder and two ones all in less than forty minutes.
 By this time we began to think we had struck it rich. The wind died down the surface of our little lake quieted to gentle nipples, and the small breeze blowing carried us along just where we wished to go, about thirty feet out from the lily pads. This was really the re- markable feature of the days enjoy- ment-the way the unaided boat kept about where it ought to be. With just a grab now and then at the oars we were held right at the proper place.
 Just past point which jutted out we found a small bay and came to anchor. The shadow looked about right, lily pads and bulrushes, and at the edge of these a deep hole, bordered by shore rocks, in- vited our attention. They were there, and right lively ones, too. Charles scored, then I, and so it continued for two hours. None were so very large, but all full of fight and resistance. When we decided to quit I had eight and Charles six, besides about an eqaul number which we put back to grow. In addition to the score we had a memory of most delightful day, which can never be taken from us, with it's scences photographed on our minds. How easy to laugh at any old half-wit- ted remark on the way home. Every