Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-08-14
Just an Exploded
Theory
BY CHARLES F. MCLEAN
(CopyriEht)


1 greater trout taken from Howe's
pool, pond formed by the widening
Of a little stream which partially
drained the range Of hills near Phil
lips ranch, then half-day's ride
from Seattle. Morse, now mining
monarch, was merely a prospector In
those days, and one Sunday evening
he and Milman, the city attorney, and
Barnes, the general storekeeper, were
sitting In the little hotel office, discus
sing proposed outing of couple
Of days, when in came the fourth of
their coterle, the rotund and genial
Biller, putting and blowing but with
citation in his eyes.
Boys" he exclaimed, 81 have the
idea Of lifetime-an inspiration of
genius Let's spend our Friday and
Saturday at Howe's pool, fishing"
Blller's suggestion was hailed with
acclaim and unanimously adopted
without the formality of vote. The
few days intervening before their de-
parture were filled with fish talk and
active preparation, and those unac-
qualnted with the destination Of the
party might have thought 1t was 60
ing around the world. Thursday eve
ming found them in Phillips rough but
coy sitting room, talking over the
anticipated sport of the morrow. Ev-
erything so far had gone according to
schedule, the only deviations from the
program having been made by Morse,
who surreptitiously slipped into one
Of his many pockets two long-fused
dynamite ~. Y. Waterproof" cart
ridges from the mine house, and Tips,
Biller's water spaniel, who at the last
moment insisted upon accompanying
his master.
A deliclously exhllaratIpg morning
found the anglers and their host en-
crossed ip endeavors to lure frem Its
dark depths the famous denizens of
Howe's pool, but the day slipped by
without even single Strike" Phil
lips alphabetically admitted that the
fishing was poor-"the day a bit too
bright" and one or two other condl-
tons not just perfect-to which his
guests deferentially agreed, but with
repressed displeasure. When the sec
ond and last day had almost passed
with no better results, everybody was
cross, even Tips refusing to indulge
In the distracting amusement Of bark
Ing and hunting shore birds.
It was then that Morse resolved
upon the heroic measure for which he
had come prepared. Assembling his
fellow followers Of old Izaak, he eau
tiously preached his scheme for MAX
ing sure of some flsh--if there were
any in the pool-even II they wouldn't
bite. Its awful lllegality--and per
haps the presence of the city attor-
ney--brought forth a volley Of objec.
lions, but eventually the thought OF
returning with overlooking creels, to
turn the jeers Of a scoffing crowd to
envy and admiration, oyercame the
scruples Of the most conservative.
Acting under Morse's Instructions,
all retired from the banks Of the pool
to positions from which they could Just
see Its surface. A moment later a
"lOng-tlmed" dynamite cartridge flew
from his hand and, describing a grace
full parabola, splashed fairly into the
center Of the pond, where 1t foated,
rocking gently upon the widening cir
cles of ripples 1t had caused.
But while the fishermen watched with
lndrawn breath, they heard another
and louder splash. 1t was Tips
faithful to the instincts of long line
Of retrieving ancestors, padding as II
for life, toward the floating Internal
machine, while Blller, a hundred feet
from the bank, alternately called his
pet and rayed and swOre
AS Tips reached the cartridge, Morse
was mentally calculating the number
Of seconds that would elapse before
there would be no more dog, and 1t
was not till the faithful animal, grasp
ing the shell firmly between his teeth,
turned suddenly shOreward, that the
real horror of the situation flashed
upon him and his companions. Then,
with united yell Of dismay, they
turned and very literally took to the
woods. each man looking for the wood
lest portion As they dashed for cover,
each hoped that, whatever the dog
might do, 1t would not follow him.
Tips had gained the bank, and as they
ran they could plainly hear the pat
tering feet Of that animated bombshell
and the deep breathing and snortlng of
poor Bilfer, who numbered along in the
rear, like slow freight train over a
rough track.
Almost simultaneously the thought
came to the pursued that dog always
follows his master, and the others re-
joiced that they did not own a dog
while they realized that the retriever
was certainly following Biller and so,
looking backward to note his where
abouts they crouched behind trees out
Of the line Of his retreat and gazed
fascinated upon the dreadful spectacle.
On wallowed Biller, In frenzy of
fear. the dog rapidly closing up the
hundred yards Intervening Would
the cartridge never explode? Could
II be possible that the water or the
dogs bite had rendered 1t harmless?
Soon the question would be answered.
On they rushed, the ponderous fugitive
painting spasmodlcally as his pace
tagged, too terrified to pick his steps
and too breathless to cry aloud. But
as he tripped over fallen log and
beheld Tips bounding towards him
with wagglng tall he inyoluntarily
emitted a hoarse shrek Of hopeless
terror. Just as he dropped safely be-
hind the prostrate tree trunk there