Evening star., 1909-09-04
Behold the fisherman.

Behold the fisherman.
HE riseth up early in the morning and
disturbeth the whole household. Mighty
are his preparations. He goeth forth fuil
of hope. When the day is far spent he
returneth, smelling OF strong drink, and
the truth is not in him.
"Jake" Moffettas the superintendent of
TRANSPORTATION of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company is so familiar
ly known, has sent cards to many of his
piscatorial friends with the message above
quoted.
"And Jake is such genial fellow
says Fred Mersheimer, who was one OF
the recipients OF the cards. Except,
he added, when the fish do not come his
way"
Mersheimer has just returned from
trip TO Solomons Island and he takes the
message as being reflection on his abil-
ity to follow the example Of the man from
Missouri when the question OF fish is DIS
cussed.
II can show 'em all right, he says to
the angler. II caught the fish and can
get afiidavits, and the imputation contain
ed in the Behold message will not help
Jake one particle when he goes hsh-
ing"
"He riseth up early in the morning and
disturbeth the whole neighborhood," read
Mersheimer. slowly.
And suppose he does?" asked the
| Solomons Islander. WHO is there in
this wide world who would mind being
disturbed for bunch of good fish?'
There you are" rejoins Moffett. No
| body would mind it, but suppose you
don't have the nice fish; then what?'
Mersheimer believes there is no such a
possibility with him: that he is certain
to bring home the goods if he goes, but
Moffett questions the sincerity of that
statement and refers to the last few
words on his cards.
"pll plead guilty to the entire accusa-
| tion," remarked one of those reputed to
| be most successful anglers, land would
not mind the public knowing it. but
| there's a big stick at home and l will
have to remain silent
John Hurley's enthusiasm got the bet
ter of him Sunday when he caught real
| live small-mouth black bass that weighed
more than four and one-half pounds. 1t
was the biggest bass he ever caught and
| he astonished the natives, not only by
catching the big fish. but also by the
commotion he caused on the river. Much
| to the astonishment of Harry Miller. bis
angling companion, the other fish were
not frightened SO Tar away that they
could not he caught.
Ever since Hurley landed the bass he
| has been answering questions over the
phone, although he refuses to discuss
L
identity of the victim.
We'll" said Hurley. shortly after his
return with the big fish and seventeen
others, I'VE caught 'em this time.' and
Harry Miller said yes to every state
ment he made. I'VE went fishing and got
the fish. Confdentially, we knew we
were going to catch fish and wouldn't
| tell our friends where 1t was to be- We
| had 1t straight that there were fish in
| the river near Knoxville, and we thought
l Ia tah %
gave the secret away.
And" he added, anybody can catch
fish at Knoxville-can't they, Harry?'
Sure can,' emphasized Harry.
Resuming his narrative, Hurley told of
| the late start they made-not getting
| away until o o'clock and not wetting their
| lines until the noon hour. although they
| did not stop to eat dinner before pulling
away from shore. There was plenty of
| rain Sunday, he explained, but no sport
is going ashore for such a. reason 1t was
| about o'clock when the fish made a
| start and after that there was no holding
| them down.
| Il tride to fish two lines" said the en-
| thusiastic Hurley, but there was not
| the slightest chance, and If I got one
/ strike during the afternoon l got fifty.
When the big fellow came along and
| jumped four feet out of the water I was
| scared to death. Miller became excited
and continued shouting. Hold it, Hurley.
| as II had any intention of letting it go
For fully ten minutes l worked hard
| and when ] pulled In the fish kissed it,
The labor and excitement were too much
] for me and when l got the beauty in the
/ boat ! was nearly all in although ]
kept up the good work until had landed
eight fish,
Harry Miller caught ten of the eight
cen fish that were landed. He is not
quite so enthusiastic an angler as his
friend. but he usually gets there. Sew
| eral of the fish weighed more than two
pounds each, only one of the string
weighing less than pound.
| There will be but few hostelries about
the fishing grounds along the Potomac
river and Chesapeake bay that will have
vacant rooms to spare until after Mon
day, hundreds of fishermen having made
| extensive preparations to spend theil
Labor day holiday out Of the city. Live