DIES PISCATORl/E. 559 



man crack a whip like him, or respond as loudly in church. 

 What story was that Sam Chilton told us of Jack Dade, inter- 

 rupting Charley at his morning devotions ? 



Nes. Sam was always telling stories about somebody. I 

 suppose you refer to what occurred once when Jack stayed at 

 Charley's all night. The host next morning, like a good 

 churchman, was reading prayers to the collected household, 

 and Jack, who got up a little too late, entered the dining- 

 room without noticing the devotional attitude of the family, 

 but seeing the bunch of mint, the sugar-bowl, and decanter 

 set out as usual, made a straight line for the sideboard. When 

 Charley, seeing his mistake, raised his eyes from the book 

 and said, "Hold on, Jack, I'll join you presently." The ser- 

 vice over, the julep followed as a matter of course. 



NoE. Speaking of Sam Chilton, your continual digressions 

 remind me of a reply he made to a speech of Henry A. Wise, 

 at a Virginia State Convention, some years ago. In debating 

 some question. Wise sat down after a fiery speech, in which 

 there was a great deal of declamation, and very little logic. Sam 

 rose, and taking an old quid from his mouth, and dropping it 

 softly on the floor, said he had asked Mr. Wise for argument, 

 and he gave him only words ; for facts, and he had given him 

 declamation. The gentleman's speech reminded him of 

 Falstaflf 's tavern-bill, " Sack, five shillings and sixpence ; 

 bread, a half-penny." I have asked you to tell us about fish- 

 ing in the Adirondacks, but you have told us very little 

 about it, and talked of almost anything else. What was 

 the greatest number and weight of fish you killed in a day ? 

 Nes. You led me into this digression yourself, by your 

 confounded questions. I have already said that I was there 

 at an unfavorable time for fishing. Trolling in the lakes is 

 over by the middle of June, and the Brook Trout have gene- 

 rally left the rapids by that time. I have been told, though, 



