Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-22

ped, might have been observed testing
the upper reaches of the stream on thu
morning OF July 10. Although his rod
and tackle were Of the best, his ap
parel was rough, not to say scrubby,
An old slouch hat was drawn down
over his forehead, and staring blue
glasses sheltered his eyes against the
sun, which was sufficiently abscured
for most tastes-by blanket OF gray
cloud, promising rain. Under arching
willow, and by promising rock. his
brown hackle fickered temptingly.
placed by An expert hand. But, except
for one sunfish who had exhibited
suicidal curiosity, there was none TO
admire his proficiency. One ind4vid-
ual, indeed, had witnessed It, but with
out admtration--an urchin angling un-
der bridge for bullheads.
wat yer gittin' with that rig7" h.
had inquired with tho cynicism OF the
professional. ,st.
"Oh, some snags. and IN occasional
branch and now and then milkweed,"
returned the angler amiably.
well. you can't fish below the mex
bsnd,'' the urchin informed him.
Them folks that bought Hogs Haven
has wire-fenced on the creek"
II had just 40 lief got tangled In .
wire fence as any other kind replied
the angler with CHEEKY peSdmiSm,
whipping his fly into . shaded spot
where trout would surely have bean
lurking II the entire salmo family
hadn't departed for tho happy fishing
groundA several generations back. In
consequences of the pernicious activ.
tiles displayed by an acQuisitiv1
sportsman with an outfit Of dynamite
IN sticks.
''suit ysrself," retorted the boy.
"You won't get nothin, anyhow"
The rumble of Q vehicle distracted
his attention and he looked up to OBJ
serve with curiosity q carriage full OF
strangers pass across the bridge. The
strangers were all in black. The ans-
Ter had looked up. too: but immediate
ly looked away again, and turned to
continue his hopeful progress toward
the bend. Not until he had rounded
the curve did he pause for rest. Be-
yond sight of the youthful Izaak Wal
ton, he waded out upon the bank, pro-
duced glass, and applied tito his
eyes, turning 1t upon the willow grove
on the borders OF the Blair estate The
briefest Of surveys satisfied him, and
he resumed his fishing and his wait
ing. He was waiting for the funeral
service OF Wilfrid Blair.
Notices In the Boston and New York
papers had formally designated the
burial as private" That invaluable
aid, Lawyer Adam Balm, who seemed
to have his fingers on the pulse Of oil
the county's activities, had informed
K1ht that Geographic summons had
gone out to few near relatives, and
that the relatives, together with cler-
gyman, we're expected that morning.
That is why Chester Kent, famous
master of the art OF fly fishing, was
whipping a dead" stream.
For patient hour longer his quest
ing flies explored unresponstve hooks
and corners. At the end 'of that tine
he sighted q figure coming from Hedge
row House. and lodged into acoveYt
OF sumac. The glass brought out
clearly the features Of Alexander Blsdr.
set. stern, and pale Blair walked
swiftly to the willow thicket whore
lay Captain Hogg and his unnamed
victims, looked down into the raw
fresh excavation, and turned away.
Another man, issuing from the house,
joined him. From his gestures Alex
ander Blair seemed to be explaining
and directing. Finally both returned
to the house.
Handing the whole business him
self, commented Kent. II like his
courage, anyway" 81
Half an hour afterward the little
funeral procession moved from the
house. There was no hearse. Six
lnA t6n - ssuuyi
all strangers to Kent, and their
clothes gave obvious testimony Of city
origin. Half dozen other men, and
three women. heavily yelled, followed.
Kent thrust his glass into his pocket
and lifted his rod again. BY the time
the clergyman had begun the service
Kent was close to the obstructing
fence. He could hear the faint solemn
murmur OF the words. Then came
the lowering Of the casket. The on
locker marked the black and silver
sumptuousness OF it, and thought OF
the rough hemlock box that enclosed
the anonymous body In Annalaka
church yard. And, as his fly met the
water, he smiled a little. grim, wry
smile. -
It was over soon. The black-clad
group drifted away. One member
paused to glance with curiosity at the
roughly clad angler making his way
up stream. For Kent judged 1t wise
to absent himself now, forseeing the
advent of one keener-eyed than the
mourners, whose scrutiny he did not
desire to tempt. Shortly Gansett Jim
came to the grave. Hastily and care
lessly he pitched In the earth, tramped
It down, and returned. Carriages roll
ed to the door of Hedgerow House, and
rolled away again, carrying the mourn
ers to their train. Not until then did
Kent snug up his tackle and take the
road III Il
No sooner had he reached the hotel
and changed into dry clothes, than he
made haste to the Nook, and thus id
dressed Sedgwick. Now I'm your
man for that tennis match"
Kent, don't like your looks, OBJ
served his friend, remarking the
scientists troubled eyes.
Don't you? Where are the I'M
plements OF warfare?''
"E{ere thew are" said the other. nrO