The San Francisco call., 1905-01-15

ing his fish, felt satisfied with the sharp
tug at the line and slowly reeled out
more line. He played his captive back
and forth, keeping 1t just out of the
five minutes landed his fish, 1t was the
first time the boy had Witnessed the
scientific capture of black bass.
isn't he q beauty! He's whole foot
long, and I'll bet he weighs two pounds
If he weighs anything at all! Why.
didn't know there was fish that big In
this crick!"
Mr.. Mcclure laughed an almost boy
ish laugh. Its a pretty good morning
for bass. This place hasn't been fished
much, anyway, 1 should judge. I
shouldn't wonder If the whole creek
is full of them"
The bows 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 1 go fishing with boy it's
my boy name-Billy. 1 think we will
have a first-rate time to-day If you
just call me Billy. AT least 1 SHALL"
The boy pondered a moment.
My names Tommy-Tommy Has
kins. Say-Billy-do you spose could
catch a 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 a reel: but If you don't jerk too
hard you'll probably catch as many as
do. Help yourself to the bait"
Have you goodn' plenty?"
He is certainly good hammered"
unused Billy. Then aloud: Plenty?
Oceans of them. Besides, when l go
fishing / always go snooks-cahoots--
tnnw-vyith ho
fellow. The bass will not bite much
more than half an hour longer, and
then We'll have to try for sunfish and
bluegills. and you'll have to divide your
worms with me-"
The boy was unaffectedly delighted
Billy showed him how to bait his
hook. meanwhile explaining to him
the, theory of proper batting. Then he
busted himself with his own line.
''Oh, Billyl"
That was all. But it told volumes
OF excitement and gratified triumph.
Billy looked around. The hickory fish
pole was bent, the line stretched taut
and f1inging off a little spray of water
in the sunshine. and the boys arms
were stretching out, further, further
Wade in Wade in. tell you, He'll
break the lineif you don't wade in!
Wade UP creeki"
If the command had been to wade
unhesitatingly. In he waded.
That's right! Hold your pole side
ways. so he'll take the spring of the
pole! Good bOyi Now do it again. and
keep doing it every time he turns.
You'll make fisherman yet"
Back and forth the boy played the
fish, until it showed signs of tiring.
Now draw him in-gently. Hold
your pole sideways. If he makes a
rush with the pole held straight he'll
break the line. Lift him out--still side
ways. I'll declare, if he isn't an inch
longer than mine!"
Tommy Haskins looked joyously on
the dark stripes of the bass as it lay
there on the gravel, Topping and palpi-
tating by turns. He could think of
nothing better to say than:
II caught him all by myself, didn't
/? wish my pa could have been here
to see mel"
When the bass had ceased biting they
had five beauties, three to the credit
of Tommy Haskins. Billy put them in
the fish basket and anchored them in
the running water at the ripple. The
boy now yielded to his social inclina-
tions.
Whereabouts do you live, Billy?"
"Oh, ! stay up at the county seat
My boy home was back East-in Indi-
ana"
Indiana! Why, there's where my pa
and ma came from! They talk about
back there sometimes"
Say" said Billy, struck with a sud
den thought, "I'll tell you what, Tom
my Haskins! You take these fish down
to the house and give 'em to your ma.
and ask her to cook 'em for supper.
And tell her you have a particular
friend fishing with you to-day. and
that you'd like to have him down for
supper. And tell her he's from Indi-
ana! And tell her l want you to come
back and eat dinner with me. oh. I've
got lenty along! 1 always do take
nlentY when ] go fishing / na,ro- i-~--S