The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-10-01
ANOTHER AUTHENTIC INCIDENT

Perusing, as is our wont every
morning, except Monday (Which has
been called blue Monday in conse-
quence Of the omission) the Banner
last Saturday, we found a charming
little story, written by Rev. J. e. Ley,
giving the details Of the sudden and
permanent conversion of an ante
bellum Southerner from the reprehen-
sible practice Of going fishing on Sun
day. This gentleman, according TO Mr.
Ley, who doubtless received the story
from some friend of Uncle Remus, was
POSSESSED of all the virtues. but had a
lamentable and hebdOmadal falling
from grace, which sent him TO the
best fishing place as regularly as sun
day came around. From this pernic-
ious practice he was redeemed by one
of his slaves, who was an unconscious
instrument in that he cared not if his
master fshed seven days in the week,
but hankering for the fish suddenly
appeared, dressed only in his own
able hide and shouting, Use de deb
bill; Use de debbil!" Whereupon his
master. between the shock and prob
ably his guilty conscience. not only
fled and abandoned the fish, but never
pursued the piscatOrial sport on sun
day again. 1t was a very interesting
| little story and reminded the editor Of
| the following equally impressive and
iauthentic narrative related TO him by
an old ex-sIave some forty years ago.
Simon was good niger, indus
trious and honest, and had but one
Ioyermastering passion, and that was
to go fishing. AS long as Simon was a
slave, he could indulge his desire to
handle fish-poIe and line quite often,
but when freedom came and he had to
hustle for himself, he had no possible
chance to go fishing except on sun
days And on Sundays he would go,
every Sunday from April to October,
and would have gone every Sunday
from October to April if there had
been any chance for the fish to bite in
the chilly season.
| Simon's friends warned him of the
| evil of his ways: DE Lord Will punish
you, Simon" they said. But he replied
always: 81 goes and fishes early Sunday
mornin'. befo' de Lord gifts up"
We'll, den, de debbil will git you
they said. Simon had no answer &c
| this, but he ceased not in his Sunday
fishing.
SO it came to pass that one bright
Sunday morning. as Simon sat on a
bank beside his favorite fishing hole. q
long fishpole in his hand. skillfully
throwing his line with cork float
leaden sinker and earthworm impaled
on the hook, in the most likely places
he was rewarded by a generous tug
that jerked the cork for a second oil
two out OF sight. Raising the tip OF
the pole (playing a fish. like rod anG
reel. were unknown TO Smon) he
/ GcG
which moment it's head was above the
water fixed Simon with a mesmerit
eye and spoke to him thus in sterr
accents:
, The darkey answered not. He was
. stricken dumb
; Pull me in, Simon"
Simon pulled him in.
String me on the stick. Simon"
Simon strung him on the stick.
Take me home Simon"
| Simon took the fish to his cabin, or
the hearth of which was bed of Goals
the remains of a fire he had thought
fully kindled before starting out t
) fish.
scale and clean me. Simon sait
the fish, as they reached the door.
, Simon scaled and cleaned him.
Put on the frying pan, Simon"
> Simon put on the pan. which wa!
soon properly heated.
: "Put lard in the pan, Simon"
: simon put lard in the pan and it siz
: zled with the heat
Put me in the pan, Simon.
Simon put him in the pan, and NJ
fried beautifully on one side.
Turn me over, Simon"
Simon turned him over and he wa
soon cooked to a turn.
Put me on the table, simon.
Simon put him on the table.
Now eat me, Simon"
simon ate him.
Now, bust open, Simon"
And Simon "busted."