Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1910-02-24
A FISH STORY
BY MARTHA Neutrality-suspicious.
Copyright 1908 by Associated Literary Press)

The willow tree leaned so far out
over the water that all that happened
in II was mirrored in the face OF the
stream. There was an eddy at the
tree-foot. with a deepish pool under
meath. Trout urked in the pool--so
big and wary. they we're the despair Of
all neighborhood fishermen.
The Ennis boy. of course. had told
Wilmer all about them. Wilmer. IN
deed, had found the lad much like
local chronicle. In the week since he
had established himself at the Ennis
farmhouse he had been possessed OF at
least half the ips and outs Of Brush
Creek ..eighborhood.
Ostensibly. Wilmer was vagrant
vacationer: really. he was looking out
for remnant trac,s of hardwood tim.
ber. A new railway was mooted. not
yet even in the air but In the minds
OF certain mon. Before building II.
they wanted to make certain OF sure
and quick returns. Walnut. white oak.
cherry and ash in sufficient amount
would furnish su,h returns.
Wilmer had been told to spend a
fortnight looking for timber. Now. at
the middle of the fortnight. he knew
he need look no more. so he was giving
his wh,l6 mind to the enjoyment OF
fishing.
Hence to-day's excursion begun at
sunrise. SO far the excursion had been
fruitless. The Ennis boy was dis
tressed. He had rather Dragged OF
the sport they were to have: besides.
Wilmer had promised him n silver dol
lar II they managed to catch even one
big trout
Wilmer had his reasons, aside from
natural libCrality He was on the edge
OF falling in love with "A girl. dragon
! guarded. The dragon was crusty
uncle. whose sole enthusiasm was for
fish and fishing. II Wilmer could send
of In the nights mail a snapshot OF
even a two-pounder. along with a
chatty account OF the place where such
fish might be caught. he knew he
would come near to establishing him.
self in the dragon good graces. He
would also do well for his immediate
principals. since the dragon was among
the chlefest OF those depended on to
finance the now line.
So he came to the willow tree with
something beyond sportsman eager.
ness. Approach to II was not directly
along the waterside. but across n tiny
promontory OF gravelly turf. He knelt
among the taut outstanding roots
stretching back OF II. made ready his
hook. batting II with the choicest min.
now In the bucket. then, advancing
covertly. still in shelter OF the trunk,
current. SO the eddy might suck II right
over to the depths. Then. watching the
ripples spread and turn the water mir
ror's picturings to grotesque carica-
ture. he became aware that the hole
was preempted-there was a home
made line OF black fax thread. with a
cork likewise homemade. dangling from
the tree. the cork bobbing and dipping
In exactly the middle OF the pool.
He dared not speak. The Ennis lad
had warned him a word was death TO
his chances. The boy. also. had seen
the intruding line. In swift pant6mime,
by throwing himself prone and lying at
ease. he counseled Wilmer to stay. Ii
was good counsel. Wilmer decided. He
stood fast. keeping well away from the
bank. and so maneuvering his rod as
to keep his bait properly in motion.
The eddy wss big and slow, so slow
II made one sleepy to watch Il. The
mounting May sun was warm and
vital. the drone OF bees in the bass
wood tops or over the sparse white
clover blooms. a lulling chant. There
had been a rufiing breeze. but II had
died to utter stiffness. Wilmer watched
his noat and the homemade one until
he grew drowsy. And then something
happened that made him wildly awake
The bungling cork went under with
q rush. The next second there leaped
to view. half his silver length above
water, q monster trout. the most beau.
tiful Wilmer had ever seen. He was
fast. having bolted the hook. but that
clumsy line would never hold him
Moreover. II appeared to be but lightly
tied to a swaying willow branch No
doubt some rustic had left II there.
There could be nobody In the tree.
However. the water mirror had been
shattered. II had had still moments
during which Wilmer had studied Il
close. yet seen nothing but the gold.
green LEAKAGE. the netted intricacies of
slender boughs. the rough and weather.
beaten blackness OF the trunk.
What wonder that he scrambled up
the slope OF II. made to fling himself
along 1t. and reach for the line? That
fish must be landed-it was a prize be.
yond hope. His fingers were almost
upon the cord. when he snatched them
back as II from fire. Another hand
had reached for the lne-one small
and sunburned. with straw berry
fingers that yet were beautifully taper.
II was girls hand-a very pretty
girls. He saw that at glance. as he
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