Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-02-01
The Catch of
the Season..
BY CsCILY ALLEN.
Copyright. 1907, by f. C. PARCELS.


now. and I'm through"
"ralk about being quiet" said Whit
"You have clacked necessarily. like a
citing hen. ever since ! threw my first
line. No wonder we don't get bite"
Wint Miller turned around TO look at
his friend Jack Barnes, lighting his
pipe meanwhile
"All right, you clumsy old thing.
know what I'm talking about" grinned
Jack. You move about In this little
rowboat as If IL was an ocean going
steamer. Look TO your line there"'
Wint turned suddenly ut the mention
Of the long awaited bite. Clumsy he
might he, but Jack loved his chum just
because he was clumsy and always
needed his help The turn was fatal.
Whit lost his balance, his foot slipped
on the wet bottom OF the boat, and
backward he went for Il cold and UNI
expected dip. Fortunately the water
was only five feet deep. and Wint's
head appeared above the water in u
second, pipe in mouth and the fire still
going.
Courses on you, Jack Barnes. You
did that prrposcy, and you'll pay for
this" growled Whit as lie tried to
climb aboard.
Jacks commissions of laughter did
not help matters much. and when he
did stop for Il moment IL was only TO
heap Goals Of fire upon Wlnt's wet
head
"My fault. Well | like that. you
old landlubber. told you to keep
quiet, but you knew 1t 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 whooping cough"
II was very sullen pair that un
locked the door of their fishing hut an
hour later Wint was shivering, and
Jack was muttcring under his breath
They hunted in vain for dry clothes, as
they had come Town only for day or
two1to rough IT, Jack turned To his
friend with II helpless expression
"Wint. there's only one thing to do
Well have 10 pack up and go over to
Uncle Wills and see If they win take
you In. You're sncezing your head off
now. and by morning you'll probably
have fine case Of pneumonia | hate
10 do ii. for Aunt Fanny doesn't APP
prove of me or my friends either for
that matter" added Jack.
Again the pair started off and walk
ed through the woods to II pretty little
cottage set in among the pines. Aunt
Fanny Beal met them nj the porch.
She was woman who. held her head
high ut all times but Just now ii
seemed to he straighter than ever.
$50 it's you, is it, she said rs Jack
extended his hand. Who is this per
son with you:" she added as she
glanced ut the figure Of Whit, 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. lie
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? He'll 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 a welcome manner.
"Never mind about me. Aunt Fan
n.y." cheerliy answered Jack rs he saw
the door open for them. But Whit
must get dry. He's caught dreadful
cold | fear"
"He doesn't look exactly frail," sug-
gested Mrs. Real as she glanced ut
Wints somewhat ample proportions.
However. 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 8 o'clock that afternoon the doctor
was sent for. He looked AT the flush
ed cheeks and the parched tongue.
He listened TO the wheeling breath as
1t came SO hard and shook his head
Eve must have nurse at once.
Mrs. Beal The man is very sick. He
must have care or he will die. will
send nurse and will call again later.
Good afternoon" and the doctor was
gone.
For weeks Whit lowered between
life and the great beyond. No one en-
tered the room but the nurse. the doc
TO. and Isabelle Bcal. Jacks cousin.
She relieved the nurse, and sometimes
even the doctor would call her In to
give a 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 no
longer needed. Isabelle could manage
with Jacks help NJ night.
oaV - sail MINT ono day aS