The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-11-15
(C0ntinued.l


 Cranford had nshed north, east, where it took ten days portage to reach a railroad; but there was no place equal to this.
 ''I say. Lester, suppose we take whack just outside of Bare point? Bill lYss out at Pidgin, and I don't want to swoop down on him before he gets started
 .tAn right, s1r''
 Bare point is on the Canadian line. Lester put on fat, lively chub, and Cranford mnde a capital cast At heart he was as eager and as excited as he had been twenty years ago, when his father had explained the Aintricacies and mysteries of casting a line without having the reel back draw
 .sHaP1
 Cranford gave line, watched the tip of his rod and struck.
 He reeled in two or three feet of line then turned and looked at Lester, who was grinning amiably.
 Gan you guess what I've got?' '-Goo-goo-eye!'
 compliments of the season; well come back"
 Cranford laughed and reeled in, and the despised rock bass came up exact ly like a tin pie plate. round and round, wabbly. Shall I put him in the box, sirY' asked Lester, as he extra the hook. It is a superstition upheld by the ma jority of fishermen that if you throw away the first fish, whatever, breed, you throw away your luck. Beware of thirteen. of leaving your watch under the pillow, of seeing the new moon over the wrong shoulder Whichever that is) of singing before breakfast- all presages of evil to the fisherman But Cranford had no superstitions. Lester. if you crack another joke like that I'll skin you. I'll try one more bait,' He cast again. And don't tell Billy"
 .1 won't #sllany body" replied Les ter as he took up the oars again.
 You see. I bet Billy a box of cigars that we'd beat him out on the days catch. But lie ought not to take a young woman out to Pidgin this time of the year. 'tTs he taking a woman out there? a We'll. she mast want to fish there then Bills married: som I, for that matter. When a woman says she wants to go somewhere she oughtn't to, hustle her to 1t. She may change her mfrid and turn back
 This bit Of philosophy amused Gran ford. There came sharp tug and strain
 Hooked himself.' exclaimed Gran. ford
 He strengthened the rod and waited for the ..break," but the break did not come. Tug-tug. at au angle of forty five degrees. A minute went by, there was no Ietup.
 Cranford scowled and gave the rod an impatient lift Crack! went the tip of a ten year rod. It slid down the taut line and disappeared into the wa ter. seEei!''e
 'T had my suspicious" said Lester gravely.
 A rock bass. broken rod and an eel did not promise well for the days catch.
 Cranford dropped the rod and pulled An the line by hand Lester reached over at the proper moment and cut the leader. A fat eel wr1ggled back tc 1is oozy environments.
 had broken over at Bare point. An hour passed with but one strike te his credit. That was like Pidgin. A dozen boats might drift up and down. Gen erally only one made the catch
 Noon came.
 sWeu have dinner in Sand bay, where it's shady the girl said
 ~We'n dine on Pidgin-''
 Uncle Billy rubbed his hands tender ay., 'It1l be blazin' hotsn
 'T have decided"
 %An right, Miss Wynne. They'll be 'nough dr1ftwood fer tn stove. We've got seven. MT Cranford's got on'y one, g far g I can see"
 
 Landing was shortly made at the dock, and Cranford and the girl visited the lighthouse
 "BeeuttfuIr' murrnured the girl.
 'eBut very, very hot Ton should have gons over to sand bay.' said Cranford
 Down below they could see the two guides puttering about Presently they stepped to the waters edge and began to clean the fish. All this was so diff
 'PidginP' said cranford disgustedly Fisherman's luck!
 All right, we'll go to Pidgin. TheJ ought to be there today. No telling If Bill says that girl can fish he knows And he never takes any great risks''
 The girl, with Uncle Billy, had land ed six bass in less than thirty minutes all under two pounds, tender eating.
 We've got hinl beat,'' commented Billy Joyfully- He won't have no sech luck first day.
 What him?'' 'sN1r. Cranford. l bet fifty apples t fifty cigars that you'd beat him on tn days catch
 She frowned.
 And the frown disturbed him. When aAe brought in her nrst rock bass he slammed it vieiously to the bottom of the boat.
 Them goggIe eyes-I hate 'em! Look 5es' like tn feIler that owes me money. Guess that's Lester co1nin'.''
 Cranford swung his hat boyishly.g1 What luck?' he inquired when Les ter drew within speaking distance.
 Six. They're biting freely''
 Cranford beoar cas43no with q zinoIa