The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-12


cussing prospective coon hunt that
was to come OFF the following Satur
day night. the professor drew near
and inquired if they would allow him
to join them
"Of course you kin jine us said
Nose Howard, who was the nngleadeI
III all the devilment in the neishbor-
hood "Glad tn have you so 'loag
Wen call Cor you"
"Thank you" said the professor. Il
never was coon hunting in my life,
though I've always wanted 10 go~just
10 see how It is done. you know"
According to promise, Nose Howard
Dick Miller and Joe Smiley called for
the professor. who was ready and
waiting. and who joined the hunters.
anticipating a Jolly time.
After winding up the coon hunt,
which resulted in the capture of i've
'possums and three coons, Nose How
ara proposed that they should 40 back
by the tish-rap ana catch a mess Of
fish.
The proposition was unanimously
agreed to. and they struck of down
the creek. the professor bringing up
the rear. putting and blowing, though
highly elated at the variation that this
additional act in the program prom
ised. as well as at the prospect Of a
successful raid upon the tinny tribe.
The queer contraption that Nose dig
nifed with the name Of tish-trap. con-
sisted merely of large sack held open
by a hoop. around which the mouth Of
the sack was fastened, and couple
Of ropes. one end of each Of which was
fastened to each side of the hoop. while
the other ends were fastened to trees
on the opposite sides Of the stream. in
such way as to allow the hoop to re-
main about half way submerged
On the bank Of the creek was Ian
tern. in which was about half tallow
candle.
Producing some matches Nose lit the
candle and proceeded to explain 10 the
professor the modus operandl Of catch
ing fish with his new-fangled trap.
"You just take the lamp and wade
into the trap and hold the lamp right
in front OF the mouth so that the fish
can see how 10 run in, and we boys'll
90 away down the creek and drive the
fish up and into the trap
The professor. rs unsusnicious of
any trick as a baby, shucked himself,
and then taking up the lantern, wadeG
into the trap that the boys set fox him
instead of for FISH, and in the consuuc-
ton Of which they had not only ex-
hausted their financial resources in the
purchase of the material out of which
it was constructed. but also their in
genuity in the getting UP Of the same.
"Ughr' grunted the professor as he
reached the trap and placed the Ian
tern in the position indicated. this
water is cold as ice. want you boys
40 make haste"
"Yes, sir" responded the boys,
-'yon'n hear us hollerin' as we come y
said Nose, and off they started down
the creek at trot
"AIl right" said the professor.
AS soon as they got out Of sight their
rait slackened to a walk. which they
kept tin they reached point some 400
yards distant from the trap, when,
seating themselves on log they began
the most uproarious din Of yelling and
howling that had ever awakened the
slumbering echoes of those old woods
since the aborigines had vacated the
premises.
After about an hour spent in this
way the boys got up and advanced
slowly up the bank of the stream about
100 yards. when they seated them
selves on another log. where they con
tinued to whoop and yell like 50 many
wild Indians.
After another hour thus spent they
made another advance. which brought
the professor and the fish-trap within
their range Of vision. though, owing to
the darkness they were not visible tc
him.
Hurry up. boysw he shouted. TN
nearly froze. and the candies nearly
out"
That was what they were waiting
for-the candle TO burn out-so thai
their failure to catch fish could be lait
TO the absence of the light.
.'Yes. sirr' they shouted back Were
hurrying as fast as we cam" And re
newing their yells they advanced slow
LIVERY slowly-up the stream.
Hurry upl hurry up again shouted
the professor. "The candle win be ou
in two minutes"
SAY. ay sirw shouted Nose in reply
"but you must stop hollerin' or you'll
skeer the fish"
Sure enough in about two minutes
the candle gave a last convulsive dick
er. and in the twinkling of an ey'
thick darkness reigned as absolutely
over the professor and the fish-trap a
elsewhere.
Boys" said Nose. in a tone lou,
enough for the professor to hear him
there amt no use wadin in this waite
any longer; les go back an git on
cloze."
Seating themselves on log they sa
perfectly silent for a while = loni
enough. as they thought. for it to hav