The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-24
Eoening Story
The Biggest Fish.
BY KATE EDMONDS.

" CT AVE tSAHiS-1 am urea OIL reading
and embroidery and cards. What shall
we do POI
The other girls looked out over the
bay. The tide was coming in thru the
channel and the blue waves were lit
tie white ruffied caps. A few sail
boats scudded before the wind and
down at the harbor entrance were
score of small black speeks
THE men are fishing down there"
remarked Edith Dale; small bluefish
they catch them in the channel
when the tide runs swiftly
Il would love to go a-fishing." Polly
knight said. 'rYou know I have al
ways lived .inland-it must be fine
sport to be out there where the wind
is blowing-and then come home and
breil the fish-UmI"
They all laughed at Peliy's hungry
manner, and Edith jumped up and ran
down the path to the beach. put on
your eldest rags" she called over her
shoulder. II am going after Jake
Deeds-he will take us out there, bait
our hooks, take off the fish and
everything!"
Eve must take some lunch" Madge
declared. but there was instant pro-
test. ut will taste SO fishy," objected
Polly.
w ait until we get DdCk, dQVISeQ
Laura Relyea. then we will have
fresh fish and-TlI put some potatoes
to bake in the fireless cooker"
The girls disappeared in different
directions. for the work at the shore
cottage was equally shared. Mrs. Rel
yea, who chaperoned the party, watch
ed them complacently, wondering if it
was wise to let them go out on the
bay alone-and then rem embered that
Jake Doods was an ancient but trust
worthy mariner who would rule his
comfortable old dory with as iron dis
ciPline as he would a fourmasted
schooner sailing down east!
AS the girls left the gate. charming
sunbrowned lassies in >middies and
short skirts with sensible shoes. she
waved farewell with gay parting
word. "A prize for the one who
catches the biggest fish" she promised
They waved back at her and disap-
peared beyond the last cottage. After
while she saw Jake Doods boat
chugging out toward the channel Jake
was there and the four girls, all wav-
ing handkerchiefs and sweaters. Then
she went into the kitchen to make
plate of fudge for the successful fisher
maiden.
Jake Doods stopped his engine aad
maneuverad his craft into position
between two jutting rocks. Here the
girls might sit comfortably and fish,
while Jake smoked his pipe and did all
the disagreeable things that girls de-
test about fishing.
"oh-h-h-h-h, I've caught a darling
oner' squealed Madge as she swung
in a wriggling victim who maliciously
sprinkled silvery drops of water from
his tail. "Ja-ke!"
Jake responded manfully and
Madge's prize was. dropped in the
creel Edith caught the next one and
Laura caught two, one after the other,
but poor Polly never caught one, tho
Jake Doeds put on. the choicest bait
arid took infinite pains to show her
all the little tricks about catching fish
Although the fish must have thought
Polly was the most adorable of fisher
maidens, they refused to be caught,
and so her blue eyes took on a look
Of woe and her red lips became very
determined.
Better luck next timel" the girls
called each time Polly drew up hen
empty hook.
"They steal, my bait and swim
away" she protested.
Never mind, miss" comforted
Jake; I've seen folks have luck Ike
that-fish all day and nary a bite.
then when it's time 20 go home they
hook-the biggest fish in the bay. Don't
you worry, miss. there's lots of luck
about fishin', and no matter how many
is caught there's plenty left in the sea
just as good as the biggest" After
which remarkable statement Jake
subsidized into deep silence, and a fresh
pipe.
Polly looked reproachfulIy at the
backs of the men in the next boat
they were having heaps of fun over
their fishing, she could hear them
laughing and there was one big hearty
laugh that she liked. He must be the
big man in the white flannel shirt"
she decided. He has rather nice hair
and rebellious." A strong
sun-brewned hand, came up and
rumpled the hair once more, and the
head turned ever so little Polly
glimpsed a strong profile. He is a
dear, believe" she thought, and then
she forgot everything save that there
was a tug at her line.
"A whalel" cried Edith delightfully."-.
oh Polly. dear, 1 believe you are
really going to catch one!"
Polly stood up with very pink cheeks
and shining eyes. One or two of the
men in the next boat watched her. but
the fact that she had caught the
biggest fish, and then-she staggered
back, pulling in an empty line devoid
even of hook and bait.
Lost" screamed the other girls.
tIll be stumpedl" grunted Jake.
oSAtiS putting on a new nook
POOR KID muttered a man in the
next boat, and Polly heard it. while
her neart Jumped in the most unac-
countable way
ITS the way he said it." she apolo-
gized TO herself. Il knew he was
NICE"
Polly grew quite reckless after
awhile and tossed over hook after
nook baited deliciously for innocent
eyed fish, only to bring up the hook
minus the bait.
what ARE you doing. child p"
asked Laura after a while.
Feeding the fishes" said Polly
coolly, and she flung her line far out.
turned her back TO the grudging sea
and proceeded to count the days
catch.
The first prize goes to Laura" she
declared, and then added excitedfy "a