The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-26
FISHING TACKLE
RECALLS BOYHOOD

As he closed the office he was tired
very tired lie had had two hard cases
in court and the day had been hot and
sultry. At the Birmingham Arms &
Cycle Co s store he saw one of the
clerks fixing up a display of fishing
tackle, rifles and a complete camping out
fit in the show window. He watched
him for a few minutes and then went on
home.
He threw wide open every window in
the sitting room and fresh breeze start
ed through the house. OFF came the irri-
tat;ng collar. his shoes were sent flying
into the corner and the cool, comfortable
house slippers took their place. He
dropped into the reclining Morris chair
and started to glance over the evening
paper. One Of the first things that met
his eyes was an advertisement of fish
ing tackle and sporting goods. Oh, but
he would like to go fishing for day
or two. Actually, he had not been fish
ing since he was a boy al home on his
fathers farm. He closed his eyes TO think
OF those good old times and
There they we're, he and his brother
Jim In the apple orchard behind the
wagon shed digging for fish worms with
an old spade. The worms were found
in abundance and Jim soon had the bak-
ing powder box full of the big, long,
lively ones-the kind those white suckers
always bit ct so well. Jim went to the
house to get the lunch their mother was
preparing for them and he went down in
the hollow back Of the watering trough
to cut two long, slender saplings Tor
poles.
AT last they were ready and just as the
sur was coming up behind the big oaks
down in the east woods they climbed the
BARNARD fence and were off for the
creek The fresh morning air was de-
licious and their bare feet pattering In
the cool road dust made them feel just
as If they wanted to run.
They climbed the gate into the pasture
field. The beads of dew on the grass
sparlled like diamonds in the slanting
sunlight, but they did not notice 1t, for
short distance away could be seen IL ,
banks of the old creek winding, about
through the meadow like a big snake
They talked in whispers as they APP
reached the bank. Just as the water
came into view they saw big carp
dive into the air and flop his tail with
a splash as he hit the water again. Each
hurried to get his line in first where the
big fellow had disappeared and he beat
Jim to 1t by the fraction of a minute.
With little ehug his hook struck the
surface and the wiggling worm disap-
peared under the water. The ripples had
NOT died away yet and Jim was JUST
swinging his line to throw in when his
cork commenced to tremble. sending nun
dreds of little widening ripples toward
the bank. He cautioned Jim to walt a
minute and braced himself for the pull
The cork was jumping more and more
and Jim was trying to get hold of his
pole to help him. The cork started up
stream, gave a big bob, and disappeared
under the water. Leaning back to brace
himself. he started to raise on the pole
As the line frightened he knew by the feel
Of the pole that he had him. He threw
all his weight into the pull the pole bent
there was a splash in the water and there
dangling in the air was
He awoke to find his wife shaking him
by the shoulder.
ssWhv. John, were you asleep" she
said. Come on, supper is ready
He sat ,ip seemingly surprised at his
surroundings He stretched his arms,
gave a yawn. rubbed his eyes and then
arose and took his wife's arm and started
toward the dining room. Mighty. had
a funny DREAM he said.