Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1908-05-02
The Catch of
the Season..
By CECILY ALLEN.


Eve warned you two or three times
now, and I'm through"
"raIk about being quiet" said Wint
You have clackcd inccssantly, like a
Sitting hen. ever since | threw my first
Line. no wonder we don't get Il bite"
Wint Miller turned around to look at
his friend Jack Barnes. lighting his
| pipe meanwhile.
"All right you clumsy old thing. l
know what I'm talking about %rinned
Jack You move about in this little
rowboat as if it was an ocean going
steamer Look to your line there
Wint turned suddenly at the mention
of the long awaited bite. Clumsy he
/ might be, but Jack loved his chum just
because he was clumsy and always
needed his help. The turn was fatal.
Wint lost his balance, his foot Slipped
on the wet bottom of the boat, and
/ backward he went for Il cold and un-
expected dip. Fortunately the water
was only five feet deep. and WintS
head appeared above the water in Il
second. pipe in mouth and the fire still
| going.
curses on you, Jack Barnes! You
/ did that purposCly, and you'll pay for
this" growlrd Wint as he tried to
climb aboard.
Jacks commissions of laughter did
not help matters much, and when he
| did stop for a moment it WAS only to
heap Goals of fire upon Wints wet
head
"My fault, Well like that You
Old landIubber. | told you to keep
quiet, but YOU knew it all. Now our
days fishing is spoiled. and | can stay
home and nurse YOU. Climb aboard
and let's get home before YOU develop
the measles or whonping cough"
1t was Il very SuIlcn pair that un
locked the door of their fishing hut an
hour later Wint was Shivering. and
Jack was muttering under his breath.
They hunted in vain for dry clothes, as
! they had come down only for day or
| two to rough it, Jack turned to his
friend with Il helpless expression.
"Wint. there's only one thing TO do
| Wen have to pack up and 90 over to
| Uncle Wills and see if they will take
| you in. You're snccZing your head off
now, and by morning you'll probably
have Il fine case of pneumonia. hate
to do it, for Aunt Fanny doesn't ap-
| prove of me or my friends either for
that NATTER" added Jack.
Again the pair started off and walk
n
cottage set in among the pines. Aunt
Fanny BeaI met them ut the porch
She was woman who held her head
high at all times, but just now it
seemed to be straighter than ever.
$50 it's you. is it," she said as Jack
extended his hand. "Who is this per
son with YOU" she added rs she
glanced at the figure of Wint. covered
with red mud and hatless.
"Oh, | say, Aunt Fanny. be easy.
We've had an accident. This is my
best friend Mr. Winthrop Miller. He
fell overheard, and we've come over
to see if YOU won't take us in for the
night until his clothes get dry.
Where's Uncle Will? Hell under,
stand"
Your uncle is in town. and Belle
and are alone. Blood is blood. and
YOU cannot deny your own. I'll take
YOU in for your mothers sake" whined
Aunt Fanny as she opened the door in
anything but welcome manner.
Never mind about me, Aunt Fan
ny" chcerily answered Jack as he saw
the door open for them. But Nint
must get dry. He's caught dreadful
cold, | fear"
"He doesn't look exactly frail,' sug-
gested Mrs. Beal as she glanced at
Wint's somewhat ample proportions.
"Howcver. come in and 20 up to your
uncle's room. | suppose you will leave
this evening. You know we have no
spare room," she added lest they
should avail themselves Of nights
lodging.
Wint did not leave that evening nor
for many. many evenings thereafter,
At > o'clock that afternoon the doctor
was sent for. He looked ut the flush.
ed checks and the parchcd tongue.
He listened to the Wheeling breath as
it came so hard and shook his head.
I'VE must have nurse AT once.
Mrs. Beal. The man IS very sick. lie
must have care or he will die. | will
rend a nurse and will call again later.
Good afternoon" and the doctor was
gone.
For weeks Wint hovcrcd between
life and the great beyond. No one en-
tered the room but the nurse, the doe
tor and Isabelle BeaI, Jacks cousin.
She relieved the nurse, and sometimes
even the doctor would call her in to
give few directions. Jack came
down every day or two, but never was
allowed to see his chum. Slowly the
big man made his fight slowly his
eyes lost the CLASSY look. and finally
the day came when the nurse was nc
longer needed. Isabelle could manage
with Jacks help at night.
u say. nurse" said Wint one day as
isabelle sat reading to him, I'm glad
that other nurse beat it. like you
better"
"But you know I'm not really a
nurse at all, Mr.. Miller" said Isabelle
as she blushcd at the inferred compli
ment I'm Jacks cOusin-Aunt Fan
ny's daughter, you understand. But
love Jack. and I'll do anything for his
friends" and she began to read again
Don't let's read any more" said
Wint. "Just let's talk. | don't care