The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-09-23
~ KATE EDMONDS.

! come home and broIl the fish
sfnl"
They all laughed at Polly's hum
6gry manner, and Edith jumped up
and ran down the path 10 the
beach. "Put on your oldest rags,
she called over her shoulders; u
CSam going after Jake Doods-he
VIII take us out there, bait our
hooks, take off the fish and
ever thing&
I'VE must take some lunch, "
MadEe declared, but there was in
Stantp fotest. 1T will taste SO
fishy, = obi ected Polly.
wait until we get back" advls-
ed Laura Relyen, then we will
have fresh fish and-I'll put some
potatoes to bake in the fireless
cooker"
5ti The girls disappeared in different
directions, for the work at the
shore cottage was equally shared.
Mrs. Relyea, who chaperoned the
,rty, watched them complacently,
Wondering If twas wise to let them
go out on the bay alone-and then
remembered that Jake Doods was
an Rneient but trustworthy mari
fef who would rule his comfortR-
old dory with an iron discipline
would a four-masted schoon-
Milling from the east.
the girls left the gate, charm
M suhbrowned lassies in mtddtes
! and short skirts with sensible
shoes, She waved farewell with a
gay parting word. "A prize for
the one ewho catches the biggest
fishJ she promised.
They Waved back at her and dis
appeared lbeyound the last cottage.
After q while she saw Jake Doods'
boat chugging out towad the chan
mel. Jake was there and the four
girls, all waving handkerchiefs and
sweaters. Tehn sch went Into the
kitchen to make a plate OF fudge
for the successful fisher maiden.
Jake Doods stopped the engine
and Unanswered his craft into q
position between two juttlng rocks.
Here the girls might sit comfort
ably and fish while Jake smoked
his pipe and did all the Disagree
ABLE things that girls destest about
hshtng.
.Oh-h-h-h, I've caught darling
} one!" squealed Madge as she
swung in wriggling victim which
inaIiciously spTinkled silvery drops
Rof water from his tail. "Jake!"
Jake responded manfully and
Madge's prize was dropped in the
icreei. Edith caught the next one
and Laura caught two one after an
other, but poor Polly never caught
one, though Jake Doods put on the
choicest bait and took Infinite
pains to show her all the little
tricks about catching fish. Al
though the fish must have thought
Polly was the most adorable OF
fisher maidens, they refused to be
caught, and her blue eyes took on
q look of woe and her red lips be-
came very determined.
3e-uPt ornrthemp-oy boone NIB m
"Better luck next time!" the
girls called each time Polly drew
], up her empty hook.
.SThey steal my bait and swim
away" she protested.
HNeveI mind, MISS" comforted
Jake; give seen folks have luck
like that-fsh all day and nary a
hike, then when it's time to go
home they hook the biggest fish in
the bay. Don't you worry, miss,
there's lots Of luck about hshin' /,
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
srbsided into deep silence and a
fresh pipe.
Polly looked repoachfully 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.
t'itHe mi be the big man In the
white FUNNEL shirt" she decided.
HHe has rather nice hair-straight
and rebellious." A strong sun
Drowned hand came up and rum
Med the hair once more, and the
head turned ever so little. Polly
.Rlimpsed a strong profile. He is
y 4 dear, 1 believe" she thought, and
! then she forgot everything save
that there was a tug at her line.
IA whale!" cried Edith delight
edly, "Oh, Polly, dear, l believe
you are really going to catch ons!"
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
&heh-she staggered back. pulling
"a an empty line, devoid even Of
hook and bait!
'tLost!" screamed the other girls.
"I,ll be stumped!" grunted Jake.
deity putting on a new hook.
poor kidd" muttered man in
the next boat, and Polly heard 1t,
whieI her heart jumped In the
most unaccountable way.
cts the way he said It," she
apoIoglzed to herself. II know he
was nice!H
Polly grew quite reckless after
awhile and tossed over hood after
hook baited deliciously for limo
cant-eyed fish, only to bring UP the
hook MUS the bait.
gyFhat ARE you doing, child? 2"
liked aura after while.
breeding the fishes," said Polly
c6oily, and she lung her line far
kuTning her back 70 the grug-