Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-11-22
there was exciting sport in the han

tAcic was CASAAnS StF@At - sA~ AA%NA
boris mouth.
Such a clever little sailor woman as
Phoebe Allen found no difficulty In
getting her boat into the right posi-
ton, dropping her anchor overheard
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 be. was
recognizable only by his size ana 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 at first and then supple
mented by others there were enough
for gifts to various fishless 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 small boat. but
Phoebe loved to see the silver booty
come swinging through the air into
her craft, and 1t was also Captain
Amos favorite method
AT last Phoebe impalcd 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
baitless hook sailed over her head and
caught neatly In the slack of Captain
Amos shirt between his broad shout.
ders. 1t caught and stayed there.
Almost In 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.
"Womanr' he threatened. turning
his head as far around as pain would
permit.
Mani snapped back Miss Phoebe,
straining at her pole and against the
captains hook.
What In tarnation"- sputtered
Amos, grooming. 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 II 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-ki-n-skin. and I'm
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 own
hook caught In his neighbours jacket.
Something in the ridiculous situation
broke the Icy crust of years of separa-
ton; 1t recalled another day when. as
children, they had fished for minnows
in the millpond and, sitting together In
the old green boat that had belonged
to Phoebe's father, they had hooked
each other quite as neatly as they had
done today.
amos Dodge, you little ninnyw
cried Phoebe in the same teasing
words she had used on that former oc-
caslon thirty-five years ago.
Girls don't know how to fish," re-
torted Amos as he had done in that
other day.
docs that hook hurt, Amosy' asked
Phoebe
Not much" admitted the captain,
twisting his neck around to look into
Phoebes sunbonnet. "Your boats
drifting little, Phoebe. Don't get any
farther away from me-" he said in a
queer voice.
II won't" said Phoebe gently. Just
wait minute Amos. while l slip Off
this jacket-there! Now I'm free of
your hook III help you. Wait now,
till / get my boat over"
| By dint Of careful maneuvering
Phoebe ran her boat near enough to
| the other to lean over and touch the
hook. 1t fell out at her touch.
Il was afraid the point might have
caught. but It's all right, captain"
Amos" said the captain briskly. II
wasn't any captain when knew you"
J, Amos" repeated Phoebe obedient-
", Il hope 1t didn't hurt YOU
mot mite, Phoebe. To tell the
| truth He redeemed and looked
doubtfuIly at his old sweetheart.
Tell it," commanded Phoebe in her
old imperious way.
Il caught you on purpose" confess
ed the captain.
"whyf' blushed Phoebe. What
ever
Just to get acquainted again. You
have been as stiff as ranrod ever
since / came home again and
Tides turning" said Phoeme from
the depths Of her pink sunbonnet.
1--WE got lunch to eat"
4So'ye IT, returned the captain
promptly. Lets 20 ashore and have
a picnic"
4 Let's" said Phoebe.
That night when they trudged up
the hill swinging their strings Of sil-
very fish somebody saw them and
said:
We'll, IL Phoebe Allen amt caught
Captain Amos at lastr'