The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-01-22


house, the stream, this old gray wall,
everything. Adonis knows what ]
mean-do you not, you solemn old
thing?"
Hereupon followed an embrace
which Adonis bore with good grace,
but failed somewhat to appreciate.
Il understand what you mean as
we'll as Adonis," observed Vineyard,
with grave humility. Although,
perhaps, do not look so solemn
about it as he pretends to be. l I'M
derstand it, and suppose / feel it
all; but the spirit of the tramp is
very strong in the family, am
afraid. After all, it would never do
to sit here all ones life, as we are
sitting here now upon this wall in
the sunshine, admiring the scenery.
If you were a man, know you would
not do it,
II wish were," she said, softly.
Thank goodness you are mott" he
exclaimed, fervently, in low tone.
And then they sat there and said
never a word, while Adonis watched
them with his left ear lightly raised.
Presently the colonel appeared at
the open window equipped for the
fray, and eager to begin it. Instantly
Vineyard became the polite host.
The two fisherman arranged that
Vineyard should walk two miles down
stream before commencing to fish up,
while the colonel appropriated the
water Immediately below Broom
haugh. So they parted at the gate,
and VINEYARD went swinging along
the road at a pace that promised to
make short work of the two miles.
Vineyard Mistley possessed the
happy power of giving his whole
mind to whatever work or pleasure
he might for the moment have in
hand, and his entire attention was
therefore accorded this morning to
the skylarking of harmless fish.
ty of brain, combined with a lively
heart and hearty digestion, work in
unison, there are few deeds within
human reach that are not feasible,
and none that are not worth trying.
With practiced eye and an untiring
wrist the young fellow cast his cum
ming flies on to the ripping surface
of every likely pool. The fish were
inclined to encourage duplicity and
cold murder, for they invariably an
swered the call made upon them;
not only the young and foolish, but
large and burly fellows with mis-
shapen mouths and stout hearts for
an uphill fight.
While his master was engaged in
studies piscatorial, Adonis was grave
ly employed in botanical research.
with one vigilant eye devoted to the
inward swing of the silver line--his
fy-catching days being over-he did
not forget for one moment the pleas
ant chain of slavery that hung around
his neck, and the spirit OF shifting in
quiry was held in check by a stern
sense of duty, which forbid any
straying away. Occasionally, also,
Adonis considered it only polite and
respectful to take an interest in and
inspect the vanquished foe as he lay
painting on the turf, if only in con-
sideration of his masters feeling as a
sportsman.
At first the stream ran through a
level meadow, where the grass was
rich and green compared with the
scanty brown covering of the hill. It
was the widening of the valley, and
the hills stood far apart, as If draw
ing back to make their farewell bow
to the pleasant laughing water which
did not despise their aged company,
and frightened for awhile with it's
smiles and glancing merriment their
grave and time-worn melancholy.
AS VINEYARD progressed upstream,
from pool to pool, by ripping shall
lows and stony runs, the vale mar
rowed in, and the great bare slopes
began to dictate to the yielding water
and measure out its path. The voice
of the stream grew louder as it's exis-
ence. became more eyentful, and the
difficulties thereof greater. There
were big rocks to be circumvented,
and to be laughed at when passed
and gleefully avoided. Soon there
were little leaps to be taken with
smooth curve and snowy froth, where
underlay the wise trout awaiting a
chance worm torn from the broken
bank little higher up. In and about
these variations of flow lay deep and
tranquil pools, where the water re-
covered its bright purity after the
disturbing influence of eddy and fall
Here dwelt the larger trout-fsh of
certain standing in life, with rights
of way and habitation, originally ac-
CURED by strength Of tail or fin, and
now held by reputation and rights Of
long possession.
With gentle turn of wrist, and
clever calculation of strength, duly
allowing for the cool breeze hurrying
down the valley, VINEYARD seached
each pool and corner for the feedish
fish; and already the weight of his
creel was of some consideration upon
his back, with every now and then a
thrill of life as some brave trout gave
his last convulsive kick.
Presently Adonis, who, having CON
ceived the idea that there might be
water-rats about, had turned his at
tention to the rivers edge, looked
up and broke the silence.