The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-09-23

ina down, weaving sldeWlse, 5ne LOT
the big fish play. Wilmer watched
her almost enviously. He must, him
self, have hooked the grandfather o.
all trout, but it was nothing like 30
game.
Hi. thar, you up tree! You better
come down." the Ennis boy shouted.
out the fisherwoman remained invisi-
ole. That's nobody but just that
pien Joe Lane-you know l told you
she wasn't more'n half a GAL" he con
ided in low aside to Wilmer, who
nodded comprehension.
He had been hearing things about
Ioe-a wild piece, motherless. brought
up by a mad old grandfather, to the
scandal of all the overgood. For she
lad never been sent to school, and
lad done exactly as she pleased all
through her nineteen years of life.
More than that, she had a way-a way
hat fetched all the fellows in the
countryside only to be sent about their
business again-even Steve Batson,
who had a store and three farms.
n big trout moved sluggishly. It
a simply marvellous how that flax
Inc had held him. Wilmer was wild
10 ask what bait had lured him, even
though his W quarry filled his hands.
He was Keeling in, deity but slowly,
making gains now of a 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 face the snaky head and neck
of a big swapping turtle. An instant
he creature held fast, permitting
Itself to be drawn toward the bank,
then 1t severed the line and sank back
to its fastness of roots and rocks.
There came a tinkling laugh from the
willow tree, followed by a merry voice
crying: please go away, you two! l
want to come down before your big
fish comes and eats Up mine"
Let us help you-you'Il never land
him alone" Wilmer called back.
"Oh, l can't-not until you 60" the
voice returned.
At just that moment the trout gave
a wild running leap, showing clear in
air, then sounding %viciously.
The fisherwoman held fast, but in
stopping his rush lost balance and
vent splash into the pool. AS she fell,
Wilmer understood-her feet were alb
'olutely bare. He plunged in. The
pool was we'll over his head, but 1t was
nothing to bring the girl safe to bank.
She still held the line-the Ennis boy
snatched 1t from her, plunged in him
self, winding line as he trod water
across half a dozen yards, then with a
quick dive reached the tired trout, held
aim fast and scrambled in triumph to
he 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. Il can't understand
why you chose to pull me out instead
Of the fish," she went on. II fear you
are no true brother of the angle"
well, you see, it was your fish, and
/ wanted it badly" Wilmer pleaded in
excuse.
The girl shook her head. That's a
question:" she said. "True, 1 hooked
The trout-with oh, such a big red
worm for bait!-but l didn't land him.
Srandad will have to decide the
point of 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
commanded. The girl nodded and
larted along a footpath, reckoning the
others to follow. Soon they came upon
red brick house with wide hospitable
~2iazzas and open doors.
Judge Lane sat at ease there, smok.
ng and dipping into a big shabby vol
lme of Izaak Walton. He did not
seem shocked by Joe's plight.
"You. miss, have no sort of claim to
The fish. You lost it disgracefully,
through Ewes sin of curiosity" he
said. "As for those others, think
hey can settle it between them. But.
lark We, Jacky Ennis, we've made a
great catch-one that ought to be
worth at least two dollars"
Wilmer paid more; but the trout was
lot sent away. Instead it was cooked
or dinner in the Lane kitchen. And
;olne six months later Wilmer came
asking the Judge for Josephine. The
I'D man listened in silence, and at the
md said, with twinkling eyes:
"Humph! it seems that fish case is
mighty hard to settle. What if you
lid pull Joe out of the water-d'ye hap
zen to know she can swim like a mer-
naid?"
"Wha. has that to do with it?" Will
ner demanded. you admit | did pull
Ter out. 1t was on that ground you
save Jacky the fish. Surely you don't
mean to yourself?"
mo, for If l did l might be re-re-
7ersed," the judge said, laughing soft
y. Besides, I'm a stickler for prece-
lent-and Josephine always had her
own way"
Was Tired Of His Rations.
"This rumpus in Nicaragua" re-
marked a naval officer, reminds me