The Saint Paul globe., 1904-11-13

he would be very glad to have his COM
pany. He said SO.
This is my pas crick,- volunteered
the boy; but he let's everybody FISH
in 1T at wants TO"
He unwound the line from his hick-
ory pole, dug a worm out of the dirt
in his old tomato-can, impaled it, spat
on the bait and cast il with swish
into the pool Mr.. Mcclure went to
his own bait can, selected a minnow,
hooked it through the back and made
a long cast into the deep water by the
willows.
DO you use minnies for bait?"
'Yes. I'm fishing for bass"
And can you catch 'em that way?"
"Sure. Can you catch 'em any other
way?"
No, can't! I've tried lots o. times,
too. I've seen 'em in the clear water
great big fellows-and I've tried time
and time again with nice fat grub
worms. They'd always swim around.
sort O. lazy-like. and act like they was
smellin' the bait. and then they'd sort
O. turn up their noses and swim of
like they was sayin', I amt much hun
6iy LII 81 1OS tOQdys <liO4Bnl tLCl .
ought to be some sort b. bait they
liked, but never could make out what
it was. Oh, look-ee! You've got a
bite!"
Mr.. Mcclure was already looking.
His line was cutting through the water
at tremendous rate. He checked the
reeling out OF the line with his thumb
for an instant to make sure Of fasten-
ing his fish, felt satisfied with the
oh ftso Of Hr,A ell w
reeled out more line. He played his
captive back and forth, keeping it just
out of the overhanging willows, and at
the end of five minutes landed his fish.
1t was the first time the boy had wit
messed the scientific capture of a black
bass
isn't he a beauty He's a whole
foot long. and I'll bet he weighs two
pounds if he weighs anything at ALI
Why, 1 didn't know there was a fish
that big in this crick,"
Mr.. Mcclure laughed an almost boy
ish laugh. Its pretty good morning
for bass. This place hasn't been fished
much, anyway, 1 should judge.
shouldn't wonder If the whole creek Is
full of them.''
The boys face was worth seeing.
He hesitated moment and then
asked:
SAY. mister. what's your name, any
way"
M" Then Mr. Mcclure paused.
Then he said, MY name? Oh. well, I
guess when / go fishing with a boy
it's my boy name-Billy. I think we
will have first-rate time today if you
just call me Billy. At least SHALL"
The boy pondered a moment.
MY names Tommy-Tommy Has
kins. -Billy-do you s'pose
could catch d bass on my hook-with
your kind Of bait?"
why, yes. You may not have as
much fun out of it as you would have
with reel; but if you don't jerk too
hard you'll probably catch as many as
l do. Help yourself to the bait
Have you good'n plenty?"
He is certainly good hammered y
unused Billy. Then aloud: Plenty
Oceans of themi Besides, when 1 go
fishing / always go snooks-cahoots-
partners. you know-with the other
fellow. The bass will not bite much
more than half an hour longer. and
then Wen have a try for sunfish and
bluegills. and you'll have to divide
your worms with me-"
The boy was unaffeetedly delighted.
Billy showed him how to bait his hook
meanwhile explaining to him the the
ory of proper batting. Then he bus
led himself with his own line.
"Oh, Billy!''
That was all But it told volumes OF
excitement and gratified triumph. Bill
ly looked around The hickory fish
pole was bent, the line stretched taut
and fiinging off little spray of water
in the sunshine and the boys arms
were stretching out. further, further.
Wade in. Wade in. tell youi Hell
break the line if you don't wade in,
Wade up creeki"
If the command had h4en IN wade
through fire the boy would have obeyed