The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-02

Joe-a wild piece. motherless, brought
up by mad old grandfather, to the
scandal of all the overgood. For she
had never been sent to school, and
had done exactly as she pleased all
through her nineteen years Of life.
More than that. she had a way-a way
that fetched all the fellows in the
country side only to be sent about
their business agafn-even Steve Bat
son who had store and three farms.
The big trout moved sluggishly. 1t
was simply marvellous how that flax
line had held him. Wilmer was wild
to ask what bait had lured him,
even though his own quarry nlled his
hands. He was Keeling in. deity but
slowly, making gains now of foot,
now of an inch. He had not yet got
sight OF his prize. Suddenly. in spite
of Keeling in. the line slackened; he
saw at the waters edge the snaky
head and neck of a big swapping
turtle. An instant the creature held
fast, permitting itself to be drawn to-
ward the bank, then it severed the
roots and rocks.
There came tinkling laugh from
the willow tree, followed by a merry
voice crying: please go away, you
your big fish comes and eats up
mine"
Let us help you-you'l never land
him alone" Wilmer called back:
ooh, I can't-not until you Co." the
voice returned.
At just that moment the trout gave
wild running leap. showing clear in
air, then sounding viciously.
: The fisherwoman held fast, but in
stopping his rush lost balance and
fell, Wilmer understood-her feet
were absolutely bare. He plunged In.
The pool was we'll over his head, but
it was nothing to bring the girl safe
to bank. She still held the line-the
Ennis boy snatched it from her,
plunged in himself, winding line as he
trod water across half a dozen yards,
then with quick dive reached the
tired trout held his fast and scram-
bled in triumph to the bank.
Confess that you envy him." the
girl said. nodding toward the Ennis
boy. She stood dripping. but happy,
making no effort even to wiring
water from her skirts. "4 can't I'M
out instead Of the fish," she went on.
ST fear you are no. true brother Of
the angle"
''weil, you see. it was your fish. and
1 wanted 1t badly Wilmer pleaded in
excuse.
The girl shook her head. That's
question" she said. "True I hooked
the trout-with oh. such big red worm
for bait!-but 1 didn't land him. Gran
dad will have to decide the point or
ownership; he used to be a judge, you
know, and is, I'm sure, much wiser
than Solomon"
''Take me to him, at once" Wilmer
The girl nodded and
tarted alorg a footpath, reckoning the
others to follow. Soon they came upon
l red brick house with wide hospitable
3iazzaS and open doors.
Judge Lane sat at ease there, smok-
ng and dipping into big shabby vol
1me of Izaak Walton. He did not seem
shocked by Joe's plight.
You, miss, have no sort of claim to
he fish. You lost it disgracefully
Trough Ewes sin of curiosity" he
aid. "As for those others. I think they
an settle it between them. But, bark
e, Jaclxy Ennis, we've made great
east So
Wilmer paid more; but the trout was
Iot sent away. Instead it was cooked |
or dinner in the Lane kitchen. And |
ONE six months later Wilmer came /
skiing the judge for Josephine. The
Id man listened in silence and at the
nd said with twinkling eyes:
"HumphI 1t seems that fish case is
nighty hard to settle What if you
Id pull Joe out of the water-d'ye hap
en- to know she can swim like mer-
aafd?'
"What has that to do with it?" Will
Ter demanded. You admit L DID pull
err out. 1t was on that ground you
ave Jacky the fish. Surely you don't
:ean to reverse yourself?"
mo, for if 1 did I might be re-re-
ersed," the judge Eaid. laughing soft
'. Besides, I'm a stickler for pre-
Josephine always had her
wn way."-(Copyright 1909, by AS
oc.ated Literary Press.)