The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-03-08
Maria S
Fishing
She Had a Novel WAY
of Doing II
By CLARISSA MACKIE


"'Taint no fishing weather today,
said Captain Barnabas Fish when
expressed surprise at his idleness one
crisp October morning.
'"Too much scar inquired
He nodded and scratched his gray
stubbly beard. Winds been east fol-
three days now, and that there oily roll
would turn my dory hull up'ards in nc
time. No. ma'am, you can tell Miss
Weeks
you can tell her yourself, cap'n,
came Miss Maria's sharp voice from
the gate. Here ber'
There's some roll on today" he said
looking away over the greenish gray
waters of the bay.
First time ever suspected you was
a fair weather sailor" shifted Maria
scornfully.
ut amt me; It's the fish," explained
Captain Barnabas hastily. 81 amt
afraid of weather"
Il shouldn't think the fish would be
either. they being more used to the
water than you are"
"They won't bite" explained the cap
tain with dignity.
Fiddle" snapped Maria so sharply
that Captain Barnabas jumped In his
sea boots. "IIew is it I've smelt fish
frying otr at Lucy brakes every
night this week? Somebody must
catch 'em-I'll find out who it Is" She
turned away and went up the gray.
eled path to the little white house that
faced Quinoe harbor. After she had
slammed the side door | stole a glance
at Captain Barnabas Fish.
Leaning against the picket fence
his hands in the pockets of his blue
flannel trousers, his blue eyes squirt
ing across the bay at the black line
of breakwater, Captain Barnabas seem
ed indifferent to the anger of the
plump little woman toward whom
was sure he nourished secret attach
ment
somebody must catch fish for Lucy
Drake" | whispered softly. 81 won
der who it is.''
A red flush crept from the captain:
sunburnt neck up to his ears and dis
appeared Miss Telham," he said sol
EMMY, Its me-
81 thought-you said-the fish would
not biter' gasped Indignantly. was
loyal to Maria, for she was fine sou
In spite of her affected crustiness
Lucy Drake | did not like. turned K
the gate. but the captain lifted huge
brown hand to check my departure.
ut may seem queer to you, ma'am
after my promising Maria I'd bring he
the first ketch of fish. but I had t.
take them fish to Lucy Draker'
Why ! asked bluntly.
"Becuz." he said, with discouragini
brevity.
you could easily have brought SOM
to Miss Maria as WELL" | said disap
provingly.
Luck WAS ag'in it," he returned
gloomily you may not believe il
Miss Telham. but been out every Ga.
for week past. and amt caught bu
one fish each dny-and that there fisl
had to give to Lucy Drake"
"Then you have been out fishing thi
morningi"
do look like fair weather sailor
ma'am?" he asked coldly. II went on
at daybreak. aud | caught one fish
same as usual, and | suspect that yo'
and Maria will soon be ketching tn
smell Of frying fish from Luc.
Brakes
| turned my head toward the nea
white cottage next door to Marias
Surely could detect smell of frying
fish,
The whistle of the -four mill smot
the stiffness of the day
ITS dinner time" observed Captain
Fish. and. with the same nervous hast
exhibited by all Ounce Harborites a
the hour of noon. he nodded briefly an'
plunged down the beach toward tn
dory drawn up on the sand.
He slept and ate and made his hom
on board % his schooner, the Indus
named after ship IN the Calcutt'
trade of which he had once been mas
ter.
A half hour afterward went up tn
path into Marias house, smiling rath
err guilty at the smell of frying blue
fish, which seemed to emanate iron
Lucy brakes little kitchen To m.
surprise | caught glimpse OF Luc.
brakes thin nosed face at the window
and she was dahbing a handkerchie
against her eyes
When | entered Maria's house | wa
instantly hungry. On the oval taDi
in the low dining room was platter
On the PLATTER was still sizzling dc
licious looking bluetish. brown ant
crisp from the frying pan There wer
a plate of corn bread and a dish o
creamed potatoes and other goo
things.
Miss Maria flew in from the kitchen
her cheeks a bright crimson and ne
black eyes swapping with some inwar
excitement
II was just going to call you to dir
ner, Miss Telham," she said shortly
AS we sat down she bobbed her hea
and uttered hasty and rather III
gracious benediction over the hsh pia'
ter.
Have some fish," she asked short,
IF you please. SO you got one, al
er all?' remarked
Eyes. | got it." she said signiheantiI
with a silver hook. suppose
said, with an attempt at humor