The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-03-26
The Two Fishermen

The Two Fishermen.
Logan, let's go fishing, said ]. H.
Lollis to his friend Logan Pace in the
Blue Ridge Inn the other day.
That's me, I" replied Mr.. Pace, light
ing a fresh cigar, 'that's me. I'm an
expert fisherman. Once, about two
years ago, I caught -"
"Joe Israel says he catches ten-pound-
ers in that stream on his farm and I'd
like to get q string of them. Come on,
let's CO." interrupted the proprietor Of
the Blue Ridge, and soon the two were
headed for Joe Israel's farm.
A perfect day, bright and warm and
sunshiny. The smoke from many
burning brush piles made the mountains
look dim and hazy and almost more
beautiful than usual. An indeinable
feeling In the air said that Miss Spring,
having once more vanquished gruf old
Winter, was very near, and her bright
smiles held promises of delights yet to
come. The swamp naples we're bril-
liant with their red and yellow buds.
The jonquils were faring yellow sig
NAILS of their mistress approach, and
the two fishermen felt at peace with
themselves and with the world.
"Once, about two years ago, I caught
D
"WeIl, this seems to be a good place,
Logan, let's try our luck here" said
MI. Lollis, and unlimbering their ex-
pensive rods they stood on the banks
of beautiful Mud Creek and cast their
ines into its blue waters.
Patiently they stood for an hour or
more without a bite or nibbIe. They
began to think of the comfortable chairs
in the Blue Ridge Inn lobby, and the
more they thought about them the
more comfortable they seemed.
81 don't understand why the blame
fish don't bite" growled Mr.. Pace.
Joe says he catches en- for breakfast
most every day. Once, about two years
ago, I caught -"
Forget it, about two years ago!
You're no fisherman. You don't know
as much about fishing as Bill Stradley
does about shavingl You don't know
q fish from a share of Chautsuqua
stockI If you stood here till John
Grant was elected to Congress you
couldn't catch a fish this way. Man,
don't you know you can't catch fish
without bait? Here we've been stand
ing for two hours without any bait or
our hooks! And you call yourself g
fsherman!"
"Well, well, I did forget about the
bait, that's true" admitted Mr.. Pace,
"Once, about two years ago, I caught
-O
"Tm going across the creek to dig
some bait now, ''said Mr.. Lollis, and put
ting the rod on the bank he started
across q foot log spanning Mud Greek,
Half way over he began to wish that he
hadn't started. He hesitated, stopped
drew a long breath aRd started again
The log bent under his weight. One
arm shot out. then a leg, he made
frantic effort to regain his balance. He
leaned over. further and further, unit
he almost touched rhe water-he's in
No, no, not quite, but 5000! He re
covers his balance, stands erect, veal
and trembling, when suddenly his leg
give way and he falls headlong into TIL
waters of Mud Creek! He scramble
up to the bank, moist and mad, anC
giaring at his friend, said:
HSay, you no-bait fisherman, I'm
going home, and next time I go fishing
It'll be with a FISHERMAN. YOl
hear me, Logan Pace!"
eyes, yes, I hear you. Don't get ex
cited now, or you'll catch cold. Once
about two years ago, I caught -"