Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-08

My brother; he cied-last winter :,
I'm sorry" he whispered; Il did
not know"
Ellen called them TO breakfast
When Anita rose from the bench her
eyes shone mistily, but her lips were
smiling. At table she frightened nm
and talked enthusiastically about her
nshing experience OF the day before.
But just look at my wrists"
Inc hands she extended were deli
cateiy white where the gloves had COW
cred them; above that there was a
scarlet region OF sunburn three inches
wide. and higher stin was the dim
pied purity Of her perfect arms.
That skin will peel of tomorrow
every bit OF it," Duke suggested
but he was looking at the dimple as
he said II, and Anita drew back her
arms.
Mr.. Duke. Uncle Riah came up
here last night-old Virginia negro
we are great friends already. He sat
on the steps and told us ali about
catching 'gyar-fishes.' II must be lots
or fun; I'm just crazy to try it."
All right" Duke snatched at the
opportunity. Wen try II after
breakfast. before the sun gets too
hot"
He could scarcely believe his good
luck when he found himself trudging
down the path toward Riah's black
smith shop, with a two-gallon Jug
under each arm. Every few minutes
be glanced back at the brown skirt
coming on behind him. The little feet
seemed TO step so daintily that dust
would not stick to hem.
Aren' you afraid of that pistol"
he asked, nodding at the heavy Colts
which Mai. Patterson had handed her
as she left the house.
oh, dear no. I can shoot. Uncle
Riah says you have 60 shoot them
right under the gills. 1 hope well
catch one"
They hurried down the dusty road
and cut across a patch of dog-fennel
20 the blacksmith shop. Old Rfah
stopped hammering on a horseshoe
when ne saw Noel Duke trailing
through the yellow weeds with Anita
at his heels
Good morning. Uncle Riah." she
called in gayiy at the door.
"Mornin'. III miss"
Mr.. Duke and I want 20 go Juggling
for gar; won't you fix our hooksg"
You sho did come to de right pus-
son. Ii miss-moruin'. Mister Duke"
Riah stepped 60 the door and gazed
critically across the lake.
Pow 'fui fine day fer gyar-0shes.
faint bit O win. But. I.ordy. chile.
dis sunll burn YOU blacker n a Mig
ger. Hit pintedly do blister white
folks out dar on de water"
That's what Miss Ellen saws. 7
brought these gloves and sunbosnet."
Duke laid down his jugs for Riah's
inspection.
Dem jegs is all right. Mister Duke:
lemme see yo' hooks. Dey's a leetle
teency bit too light; but I speck l kin
make EN- do"
"All right. go ahead. you're the doc
tor"
While Riah fixed the hooks Duke
talked 20 Anita. and beat a tattoo on
wagon body with a couple OF spokes.
He didn't care particularly whether
he went fishing CT not.
Presently Rlah came out with tho
hooks firmly bound together. three
and three Now. dish hol' any ryar-
fish In dc lake. hor i'm till de cows
come home. Is YOU got a=y BATE"
Anita produced a piece OF fresh
meat wrapped IN brown paper.
"DatW DO. datU do fine: mos anv-
thing is sood ernun fer a gyar-hsh:
gyarfish is like or Niger. he amt got
no bizness bein' p'ucular. Whar's 20
landin' hook?"
Duke shook his head. What's
that?"
the negro c'.uckled. Thought I'd
ketch YOU after while; white folks
can't git 1ony 'thout niggers when 1t
comes 10 hsbin'."
Riah went back and rummaged
around the shop until he found a stout
iron hook fixed In hickory shaft Il
uses dis fer cathshes; OATS 10 hitch
in is gills an pull i'm up wild"
Riah's tongue and fingers worked
tremendously. lie fastened about four
feet OF wire next the hooks. bound
them TO the line. tied the line TO the
jug handles. and talked all the time.
When he was done his tackle looked
INV a At sAb aANMot lot a D1llODn-
Eff you don't put EN- on wild wire
de gyar fishll sho chaw yo' line in
two. Now. dar you are. sub, all
ready"
Duke gathered up his tackle, and
started for the lake. with Anita go
ing on ahead.
Ellen's tight little clinker-built skiff
foated like an egg-shell. Duke threw
OF mis- coat.
Il reckon I'll have 70 do the work."
he remarked. The mans powerful
shoulders looked as though they might
jerk that tiny boat out Of the water
at every stroke. Anita adjusted the
blue sunbonnet and took her seat in
the stern. prepared TO steer
Are you used TO steering?" He
asked the question; but il really did
not matter; he would be quite salts
fed whichever way they went The
girl nodded. and she seemed TO know
what she was about.
They were alone. and Duke saw no
reason to hurry. His .ong leisurely