Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-11-19
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The Siilver, Kline.
BY FISHER AnEs. R.
90
BY FISHER AMES, R.

W. NJ ~ D
|arm and sally forth. One by one the
other gentlemen, accompanied by
their negro boatmen, went down to
the landing. No one noticed him sit
ting there on the step. The clear blue
of the sky and the flashing water
Knocked at him.
I s'pose they think I'm too
young, = he said to himself. "Sid,s
two years older. That's why"
1t was not much of consolation.
1t was none, in fact. He sat there
trying hard to be manly, but seeing
the little scattered flotilla of boats
through mist.
Again the host came to the door,
and his eye rested on the rather for
lorn figure. Hello, young mani" he
said. How are you-pretty quick
on your pins?n
What, sir?" asked Bert.
Good with your legs? Can you
use EN-? Make 'em move faster than
darky's? Iwant an errand done at
the village. and want it done quick.
l reckon I'm quick, SIR" said Bert,
as plan darted into his mind.
Lean and wiry from outdoor work,
he made the trip to the village and
| back in less than half an hour, sur
prising Mr.. Simpson exceedingly.
What, back so quick" he ex-
claimed. You're all right. II have.
to use you again"
He held out bright quarter, but
Bert, flushing, put his hands behind
his back.
I'D be mighty glad to run errands
! for you, SIR" he said, breathlessly,
"any time, sir. But I don't want
money. If you'd let me .have-if
you d."
"If I'd what?"
! "If you'd lend me an old rod, I'd
try to catch that tarpon for you"
MI. Simpson slowly pocketed the
quarter. you think fifty dollars in
the lagoon are better than a quarter
in the hand, eh! Well, I don't know. .
He eyed the boy meditatively. ever
used rod?"
"Lots of times. I've caught sea-
trout and cavally and kingfish and
, tarpon, too. But they were small
Ones" Bert added, truthfully.
~ don't know" mused Simpson.
"Well, all right. I'll let you have a
rod and fixings if you'll promise to do
more errands. A rod costs good
{ money"
"I'll PROMISE" said Bert.
], After a man is tired of trout, anc
has come to be match for the skilfu
: salmon, he is likely, if he is a con
: sistent angler, to turn to Southern
, waters for new conquests. There ht
will find among the hordes of strangt
: fish eager to take his bait "a gian
herring, that for weight, agility ant
e cunning is the king of all game-fshes
: with the possible exception of th'
q huge leaping tuna. Men who hav,
: found salmon-fishing an easy spor
+ have had their pride lowered whel
q they came to cast tarpon line il
some placid lagoon. Here there ar
, no running waters or eddy-encircle,
;, rocks to complicate the battle; moth
D ing but the big fish himself to fight
!, but the chances are that ne will bea
!, you.
. Bert had his own logy bateau an
~ his particular friend and admirel
+ Wash Lee, who stood ready to ID
i mental labor for him at any moment
4 IT never entered the youthful auto
y Gratis head to ask favor Of Lee.
he planned fishing expedition, h
% merely mentioned the fact with
= Lees hearing, and it was then undel
), stood that the darky was to- do th
IS rowiEg.
= The idea of fishing for tarpon lik
: + g d de gem men from de No th initiate
i Lee with an unusual sense OF In
= portance. At the appointed time b
g appeared at the landing with brans
20 new rag round his. perennially sol
% toe, and the left hind foot OF a rabb
in his trousers pocket.
,a .She'H shore bring US luck. too,
os confided. She's de same what Yale
: Jack bruck de las dry spell with. 9
at Bert sniffed. He had not mue
! faith in such charms, at least, whe
~ it came to fishing. He put po
eyed, slippery, one-pound mullet {
i, the hook and swung it overboar
: The velvet cluck Of the big reel w;
Z. inspir;ting music. lie had never he