Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-11-01
THE PHOTOGRAPH.

hld lhe pans ana Kettles hanging PIC
turesquely about the walls and the two
or three extra hunks for possible visit
ors, and the floor and quantity carved
tools-all as bright and immaculate as
though presided over by woman; and
another shaft came down through the
foliage and rested upon the bowed, whit
ening head, and upon the rough knotted
fingers that were unconsciously betray-
ing the longings of repressed soul to
the familiar, responsive strings of his
violin.
a boat came noisily up the river and
was fastened to the bank below the
cabin; then two men hurried up the
slope, leaving third to follow more
leisurely. But still Bat Pinaud played
on unmndful, unconscious.
"Oh, | say" called one of the men i'm
patiently, that's awful fine, but will you
please stop just a minute?"
The bow poised in the air and then
flashed a final staccato across the
strings.
Are you Bat Pinaud?"
"Oui, and monseur?"
"Oh, I'm Doe Willets. and my friend
here is Col. Case. We and Jack Phillips
down there have been camping on the
big lake for the last two months. What
we want with you is this lowering his
voice and glancing over his shoulder to
see that their companion w&s still be-
You'd hearing; we're up for Il days fish
ing in the river, and Case and | have
each bet 500 with Phillips that We'll
get the biggest crcel. Now we under
stand that you're intimate with every
fish in the Penobscot and what we want
is for you to place us on the river tomor-
row so our bets will be sure. See?"
Yes, Bat saw-perhaps more than they
intended, or would have liked. He had
heard of Doc WilIets and Col. Case, and
of reckless. good-natured Jack Phillips,
who allowed the sharpers to bleed him
on every possible preteXt, and in a way
that was patent to everybody but him
self "Oui, surement," he saw.
Everything all right?" asked Jack
Phillips, as he joined the group, supper
and breakfast, accommodations for the
night and all that sort of thing?'
Haven't had time to ask yet, you fol
lowed us up so close rejoined Doe Will
let's, tipping a wink of secrecy to Bat
in his pocket, but | suppose thereNl be
no trouble, en-, ShIdC!
Bat rose slowly and carried his fiddle
into the cabin. When he came out he
was again the obliging, matter-o fact
trappcr and guide.
II s'pose maybe | fixed up all those
things" he said graciously. Now, you
90 in cabin or sit down under the trees,
whatever you like best. Soon's | bring
things up from the boat we'll have sup
per"
1t was dark before the supper had
been prepared and eaten, and then, at
their request, Bat took them down to a
deer run tC try their luck at flashlght.
The next morning they were out with
the day, and after a hasty eating of
breakfast end careful preparation of
lines. they followed Bat mile or so up
the river to where he said the fishing
was good As they paused on the bank
Doe NVilets and Col. Case tried to catch
Bats eve and again audibly fingered the
coins in their pockets. Bat looked up
and down the river critically.
Il s'pose maybe Mr.. Willets better go
to that little cove there and fish from
the point back to the big white rock"
he said at length. Give caught more
fish thar2 than | could carry. Mr. Case,
| viii take up round the bend. Plenty
fish there. And Mr.. Phillips" looking at
him as though somewhat in doubt, may
be Id best show him beyond the rapids.
| catch fish there sometimes and some
times ~ t. Maybe he'll dc better. That
suit?"
"O',. YES, that's just tho thing" cried
Doc WilIets. and Just the thing" echoed
Col. Case Then they both rubbed their
hands and looked at Bat approvingly.
Jack Phillips did not ever hear. Tie was
gazing oloomily across the river, his
thoughts evidently elsewhere.
An hour or so later, as Bat was CIR
cling from one to another, watching ana
Giving bits of advice from his own ex-
nerience. he came upon Jack Philips
heyand the rapids. The young man
had drawn something from his pocket
and was looking at it hungr'iy, Obvious
nf everything around Ills rod and line
Iay upon the bank upnotlced. AS BAT
turned to st2a away he h""IG fhllhps
utter a stiHed groan of remuneration ana
dnspoir and saw the object cast INTO
the underhrush Then Phillips caught
M his rod and went crashing through
the bushes along the river. When ne
was beyond view Bat went to the place
where he was standing and found the
photograph of beautiful young GIL
whose eyes looked up at him wistfully,
and appealingly, Bat thought He gazed
ut the picture for some moments ms
foce whitening; then he nodded reassur
ance to the eyes.
When darkness brought them together
i vas found that Jack Phillips, IN spite
Of his desultory fishing above the rapids,
had caught more than both the others
ma" @W yen | suppose it's all luck Doc
willets grumbled despondeent1lyy, "D eE,
had luck. though, think" Then; Say.
lack old man, you'll have to wait a
week or two for your money III
Me, too" Col. Case admitted gloomily'
II was counting on this to-to ne
flushed recolecting and was silent
Jack Phillips smiled satlricalig' Ou'