The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1904-05-12

By a mhps Of twelve n the same al
that extended by a lad Of seventeen
80 neither suffered In the others 80
tlmation.
What we're you trying to do with
that poio2" asked John - they
reached the bridge.
Il was trying 10 stir up those spi'
derry things down there IN the water.
replied Jessie. again grasping the
pole. which had remninod erect, fast
In the sticky bottom os the creek,
"Oh, how | wish l could catch onol =
That's easy" said John Burt, as
he climbed into the wagon. Walt
until | hitch this horse and IN 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 II. Jessie regarded the prepare.
lions with keen interest. The boy
took a piece Of string from his pocket
and securely fastened a piece Of tough
raw beef TO Il; then he lowered the
meat into the water. In his left hand
he held the pole. with the meshes Of
the dip net but a 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 il came 10 the surface John thrust
the net below. Out OF the swirl OF
water it emerged. laden with the meat
and a struggling. writing crab.
Got hint" said John. as he lifted
the dripping collection over the side
Of the bridge.
Isn't he ugly! Look at his legsl
One, two. three, four. Eve. six. v
eight. nine. ten. eleyen-no. ten-I
counted one Of them twice. Does he
biteg" Jessie lowered over the net
and stretched her fingers towards the
koundering crab. The little beady
yes glittered. the claws clashed help
lessly.
You bet he can bite! You get
hear enough and he'll nip you good
end hard said John as he un.
saarled the crab from the twine and
meat Run over 70 the wagon and
get the basket. I forgot Il"
Delighted 10 be OF assistance in so
famous an undertaking. Jessie ran
swiftly TO the wagon and returned
with a large wicker basket. John had
already dropped the bait in the water
and the crab was crawling along the
bridge. Reaching down, he deity
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 plaintive note. Il
never caught a crab, Won't you
please-John Burt"
Why. certainly" said John. "Gn
show you how"
Jessie left the squirting mass OF
crabs and sprang 10 Johns side.
Reach down as far as you can.
John directed. That's right When
YOU feel something pun or jerk. pull
up-slowly. though. or you'll scare
him. Do you feel anything
The lire kind Of t~witches,' Wills
pered Jessie.
Raise Il up slow. BE careful
There's one on. sure. Now jam the
net under hint
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 h%ouudered back
into the water.
Il lost him, What a shame,
Wasn't he big?"
Go on try again said John good
u%aturedly.
Jessie lowered the meat ard waited
patiently FOR a minute. Then she
slowly raised the line. With much
care she dropped the net below the
meat and raised II from the water.
TO be contfnued1