The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-11-04
there was exciting sport in the har~

&WOkC WAC 'SASASAAS sISs
boris mouth.
Such a clever little sailor woman ~
Phoebe Allen found no difficulty IN
getting her boat into the right posi-
ton, dropping her anchor overboard
and preparing for sport.
The lone fisherman proved to be her
especial adherence, Captain Amos. and
and as his broad back was turned to
her and his great Tapping hat quite
covered the back of his head he was
recognizable only by his size and the
dainty lines Of his new boat.
One, two, three, into the boat they
Topped, little silver beauties. Phoe-
be's cheeks grew pink with excitement
as she pulled them in. Enough for her
own supper ut first and then supple
mented by others there were enough
for gifts to various f1shless neighbors.
1t so happened that Captain Amos
was fishing with a rod, and so was
Phoebe Allen. 1t is an awkward way
to catch fish from a small boat. but
Phoebe loved to see the silver booty
come swinging through the air into
her craft, and it was also Captain
Amos favoriic method.
At last Phoebe impaled her last bit
Of bait and swung the line overheard.
1t jerked forward, and she felt the
weight of a captured fish. As she
pulled in the pole flew up, and the
bairless nook sailed ove her head and
caught neatly in the slack of Captain
Amos shirt between his broad Shout
ders. 1t caught and stayed there.
Almost i'll the same instant Captain
Amos lost his bait in the same way.
and his pole performed the same up
ward leap, his line flew over, and the
hook imbedded itself in the wOolly in
tricacies of Phoebe's knitted jacket.
Then Captain Amos, feeling The
point Of the hook in his tender flesh.
yelled murderously.
"Woman!'' he threatened turning
his head as far around as pain would
permit.
MAN. snapped back Miss Phoebe.
straining at her pole and against b
captains hook.
"What in tarnation'- sputtered
Amos. %groaning. "Woman. You have
killed me-"
keep still. do" said Phoebe impa-
tiently. you've gone and caught
yourself in my hook. 1t was the last
one | had. If you'd reach around you
might get it out"
Get out nothing! Do you under
stand the English language?" asked
Captain Amos. with deadly calm.
"Of course ! do"
''Then listen. Your hook is caught
in my skin-s-k-i-n-skin. and Tm
bleeding to death. If you'll have the
goodness to look around and see what
damage you've DONE" suggested the
captain savagely.
"Perhaps you'll look around and see
what you've DONE" said Phoebe cross
".
She craned her neck and looked
around at the captains back. which
the point of her fish hook barely prick
ed. At the same moment Captain
Amos peered around to see his w
hook caught in his neighbours Jacket,
Something in the ridiculous situation
broke the icy crust of years of separa-
ton: it recalled another day when. as
children. they had iislled for minnOws
in the millpond and. sittin. together In
the old green boat that tad belonged
to Phocbe's father. they had hooket
each other quite rs neatly as they hat
done today.
Games Dodge. sou little ninny"!
cried Phoebe in the same teasing
words she had used on that former oc-
casion thiriy-tive years ago.
"Girls don't know how to fish, re-
torted Amos as he had done in that
other day.
'.Does that hook hurt. Amos?" asked
Phoebe.
Not, much." admitted the captain.
twisting his neck around TO look into
Phoebe's sunbonnet. Your boats
drifting IL little, Phoebe. Don't get any
farther away from me-" he said in a
queer voice.
II won't said Phoebe gently. Just
wait a minute. Amos. While l slip of
this jacket-tharc. Now I'm free Of
your hook I'll help yol. Wait. now.
till l gel my boat over"
By dint of careful maneuvering
Phoebe raj her boat near enough to
the other to lean over and touch the
hook. 1t fell out ut her touch.
Il was. afraid the point might have
caught. but it's all right. captain
Amos said the captain briskly. Il
wasn't amy captain when knew you"
amos" repeated Phoebe obedient-
~, Il hope it didn't hurt you"
mot n mite. Phoebe. To tell the
truth He REDEEMED and looked
doubtfully at his old sweetheart.
"Tell it," commanded Phoebe in her
old imperious way.
Il caught you on purpose" confess
ed the captain.
"Why::' blushed Phoebe. "What-
ever
"Just to get acquainted again. You
have been as stiff as q ramr0d ever