New-York tribune., 1907-01-27
Copyright by Y " Jaccbs)

The harbor was crowded with fishing boats. and
fresh arrivals were coming in every few minutes
Until the entrance was reached they came scud-
ding along with every appearance Of haste. but
then their mainsails came tumbling down 70 the
deck. and the boats with sufficient way left on
them moved easily over the stIil water. and felt
their way TO a berth. Small boats conveyed the
fish 10 the quay. where embryo fishermen were ap-
praising the catch with a wisdom beyond their
years.
There vas a glut OF whiting-so many whiting.
ana going so cheaply that il enough 10 make
them bite their tails from sheer veXation. Small
fat fish which slid away, from their pile were
carefully locked after and coaNed back with the
toe OF sea boot. but whiting slid away unnoticed
until they vanished from mortal ken in the pock-
cts Of predatory urehins.
In TIRE small msrket short. red faced man
with a scrubby beard walked in disparasing
fashion from heap TO heap. using a favorite briar
in lieu of e hammer to kno-k down such tsh as
found bidders The latter werc few and wary,
and turning a deaf ear 10 eoquence, expressed
opinions distasteful 10 auctioneers ear in crude
English.
The sense OF tie meeting being against him. the
auctIoneer truckIed 10 H. and coming to another
heap. consisting OF a selection OF the most unde-
sirable fish that swim Britannia's realm. gazed al
il Indignantly. There litter behind him.
and he voiced his wrath mpetuously.
That's Joe Gubbs's catch" he bawled- "S'elp
me. Ia know that mans luck anywhere
He turned the fish over scorafuily with his foot
and, with severe EiaEee Al lne NdpleSS IubbS
moved away 10 something more salable.
where dye get 'em from. Gubhs?'' inquired
aEgravating voice We never get such things in
our nets. I've never seen some O them things
afore"
There's a lot you amt SEEN Bob Tarbut." said
Gubbs turning upon him, 'and what you do see
don't do you much good"
.'Td be ashamed bring home such queer
looking lot" Jeered the other.
They rnaynt be up TO much. but there's none
90 r1zuV i Z
pect" related Gubbs.
you leave my face alone" said Tarbut. whose
. physlognomy was much used IN the village for
purposes OF comparison.
"A skates handsome 10 you. said Guo0s. follow
ing up his advantage.
He Bumped back suddenly as the fist Of the sensi-
tive Tarbut shot suddenly out, and. treading on a
small fish whirled round wildly with his hands In
the air in the effort retain his balance. and sat
down heavily. The byEtanders instantly separated
into two groups. and two three anxious sym
pathizers helped the fallen 70 his feet and in
eicafed- those parts OF Tarbut's frame which in
their opinion adapted 10 offer resistance
20 his fist.
stand up" said Gubbs sternly. he shook
himself free from these friends.
Il am a-standin' Up" said Tarbut. breathing
hard.
The two combatants approached each other
stealthily and. maneuvring round the heaps Of
fish. struck safely at each other over these con-
vsnient barriers
Get en- in the road said an excited voice:
they can't 'urt each other here
A dozen kindly hands helped them there. and.
finding much strategy for sport in large ring,
al the bidding OF the resOurceful individual who
had last spoken. gradually made II smaller and
smaller. Two or three small blows warmed the
eombatants and they set 10 work in earnest Then
Gubbs. under a heavy blow from Tarbut. went TO
the ground and stayed there.
II three minutes before he came thoroughly
round and then he sat up in dazed fashion and
looked round for his opponent.
Did KIN im?" he Inquired, in a whisper
NO not quite" said Of his friends. gently.
Ciubbs rubbed his eyes. What they pattng
him on the back for?" he inquired. eying the
group who making a fuss over Tarbut.
"'cos he's won" said mis- friend.
Gubbs staggered 20 his feet
TITS no good said the landlord Of the Three
Fishers. who had 10 the scene OF the
fray: you wasn't properly trained you know.
Nov. look ere II you put yourself in my hands.
IN three weeks you beat him holler.'
You DO Mr.. Larkins ses. joe. said his friend,
inpressively
'T lived among prize fighters sfore come down
ere" said Nr. Larkins. expanding hs small frame.
In three weeks time. Gubbs. youn be able TO
knock him silly"
well. what about Tsrbur? He ought 10 be
trained. too" said one OF the men. Fair plays
fair play any day
I'm train i'm" said an old ex-coast guards
man.
II don't want no training" said Tarbut. suriily.
I've beat I'm, beat i'm easy
We'll beat I'm again. Tarbut." said one Of his
frsends .I'gl put my Ave bob you. Who'll take
ne7'
For the next five minutes. Needless Of the asser-
tons Of both men that they wouldn't fight any
more. bets were freely taken. Tarbut in view Of
his resent success. being hot favOrite.
a EARRING element introduced into the pro-
ceedings by a small, elderly man wearing a piece
OF blue ribbon who. pushing his way in eagerly,
inquired what it all about. Nobody troubling
20 Qlu him correct answer. he 70 sova IL
for himself and then caught. just in the nick
OF time trying 20 make the enemies shake hands
you go OF 20 your Mothers Meeting. Peter
Morgan" said incsnsed voice.
tie asht" said the little man. raising his
Voice ''Oh. my friends'---