The Detroit times., 1913-02-12
CHAPTER XVI.
Clusters Idol Falls.

Early that same night Mr.. Shrimp
lin, taking Custer with him, had
driven out into the country Their
destination was spot far down the
river where catfish were supposed TO
abound. for Izaak Walton's gentle art
was the little lamplighter's favor!te
recreation. After leaving Mount Hope
they logged along the dusty country
road for some two miles, then turn
Ing from II into little-traveled lane
they soon came out upon a great
sweeping bend OF the stream.
II don't know about this, Custer,
said Mr.. Shrimpiin, with doubtful
shake OF the head, as he drew rein
shes way up | had no idea she
was way up like this: guess though
we can't do no better than to chance
IT, catfish is muddy-water fish. any
how"
He tied wild Bill 10 blasted syca
more, and then, while he cut poles
from the willow bushes that grew
along the bank, Custer buff a huge
bonfire. by the light of which they
presently angled with varying cor
tunes.
II reckon not many people but me
knows about this fishing hole!' said
Shrimpli-, as he cast his baitsd hook
into the water.
Where did you learn to fish,
asked Custer, thirsting for that wis
dom his father was so ready to I'm
part.
II guess you'd call IL a natural gift
= IN my case, son, safd=the little lamp.
lighter modestly ~ don't know as
deserve no credit; it's like playing
the organ or walking on tight rope,
the Instincts got to be there or you'll
only lay yourself open to ridicule."
But truth TO tell, fishing was no
very subtle art as practiced by Mr..
Shrimplin, he merely spat on his bait
before he dropped 1t into the water.
Eyen Custer knew that every intelli-
gent fisherman did this, you couldn't
reasonably hope 10 catch anything I'M
less you did; yet there seemed to him
when he now thought OF IT, such a
gap between cause and effect that he
asked as he warily watched his cork:
What good does II do TO spit on
your hook?''
i've forgot the science OF it, Gus
ter" admitted his father after a mo-
ments thought. But I've always
heard old fishermen say you couldn't
catch nothing unless you did"
Did you ever try to-"
II can't say as | ever did What
would be the use when you know bet
teri said Mr.. Shrimplin. who was
strictly orthodox His cork went
under and he landed a Topping sinner
on the bank; this he took from his
hook and tossed back into the water.
It's funny thing about sinners" he
said
What is?" inquired Custer.
Why. you always catch EN- when
you Amt fishing for EN-. You fish
Tor catfish or sun-dabs. or bars even.
II you're using worms. and you catch
sinners; mainly, | suppose. because
they are no manner OF use 10 you. I
reckon II you fshed for sinners YOU
wouldn't catch anything-you couldn't
because there Is no more worthless
nsh that swims! That's why fishing
Is Ike life; In fact, you can't do moth
Ing that aint like life: but | don't
know but what catching sinners Amt
Just little bit more like life than
anything else You think you're 20
ing TO make a lot OF money out OF
scme Job you've got, but 1t shaves Il.
self down TO half by the time Il
reaches you; or you've got to cough
up double what you counted on when
IT'S the other way about: 80 Il works
out the same always: you get soaked
whether you buy or sell, from the
cradle 70 the grave you're always
catching shlners!" While Mr.. Shrimp.
In was still phiiosophizing big drops
81 warm spring rain began to splash
and patter on the long reach OF stil
water before them. He scrambled I,
his feet We are going TO hav,
some weather. Custerl" he said. an,
they had scarcely time In which Z
drive Bill under the shelter OF a dis
used hay barracks In an adjacen
Geld. when the storm broke with Al
tts fury. Here they spent the bette