Mexico Missouri message., 1904-04-28

By a miss OF twelve is the same 4,
that extended by lad OF seventeen
so neither suffered in the others co
| timation.
What were you trying TO do with
that pole?" asked John as they
reached the bridge.
Il was trying to stir up those api
dcry things down there in the water, y
replied Jessie, again graspinE the
pole, which had remained erect, fast
in the sticky bottom of the creek.
"oh, how wish l could catch onel"
That's easy" said John Burt, A.
he climbed into the wagon. wait
until I hitch this horse and I'll show
you how. Want some anyhow; you
can watch me-"
John Burt speedily returned with
some scraps of meat and a mysteri.
Gus implement which consisted of a
pole with a stout dip net at the end
of It. Jessie regarded, the prepare
tions with keen interest. The boy
took a piece Of string from his pocket
and securely fastened a piece of tough
raw beef to f.; then he lowered the
meat into the water. In his left hand
he held the pole, with the meshes Of
the dip net but few inches above the
surface. Jessie watched with bated
breath and wide opened eyes.
Slowly and carefully John raised
the string At last the meat showed
red in the murky water of the creek.
AS 1t came to the surface John thrust
the net below. Out of the swirl OF
water 1t emerged, laden with the meat
and a struggling, writhing crab
Got hint" said John, as he lifted
the dripping collection over the side
Of the bridge.
Isn't he ugly! Look at his legs!
One, two, three. four, Ave, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten, eleven-no, ten-I
counted one Of them twice. Does he
bite" Jessie lowered over the net
and stretched her fingers towards the
Laundering crab. The little beady
eyes gllttered, the claws clashed help.
lessly.
you bet he can bite! You get
near enough and he'll nip you good
and hard" said John as he un.
snarled the crab from the Irvine and
meat. Run over to the wagon and
get the basket. l forgot It,"
Delighted to be of assistance IN so
famous an undertaking, Jessie ran
swiftly to the wagon and returned
with large wicker basket. John had
already dropped the bait in the water
and the crab was crawling along the
bridge. Reaching down, he deftly
grabbed the crab and dropped him
into the basket.
For an instant Jessie was speech.
less with wonder and admiration at
such bravery.
Boy, let me catch and you poke"
she ventured in a plalntive note. II
never caught a crab. Won't you
please-John Burt?"
why, certainly" said John. "I'n
show you how"
Jessie left the squirming mass OF
crabs and sprang to Johns side.
Reach down as far as you can"
John directed. That's right. When
you feel something pull or jerk, pull
up-slowly, though, or you'll scare
him. Do you feel anything?"
The line kind of Witches" whis-
Dered Jessie.
Raise it UP slow. Be careful.
There's one on, sure! Now jam the
net under him!"
Jessie made a swing with the net,
but dipped too low. A huge crab
dropped from the meat, struck the
edge of the net and foundered back
into the water.
Il lost him! What a shame!
Wasn't he big?"
GO on; try again." said John good
naturally.
Jessie lowered the meat and waited
patiently for a minute. Then she
slowly raised the line. With much
care she dropped the net below the
meat and raised it from the water.
(To be continued.)