THE TRUE STORY OF THE "BOSS TROUT." 265 



" Yes, we'll ask Cook, but 3^011 shan't bribe him, 'Squire, 

 witli tliat black bottle, — down with it! " 



"Gentlemen," responded the 'Squire, as he lifted aloft 

 the bottle, "I shall appeal to Cook to tell the truth, the 

 whole truth and nothing but the truth! — Here, Cook!" — 

 we had driven up to him, and the stage had stopped, — 

 "here. Cook, didn't I catch that boss trout with a hook and 

 lineV — Here, take a drink before 3'ou speak, " — liandinghim 

 the bottle— "you can tell the truth better with the taste of 

 this in your mouth." 



" Shame, shame! 'S(|uire, to bribe the witness!" cried the 

 Senator; — "Cook, isn't it the honest fact that the "Squire 

 caught tiie trout in a net, and didn't j^ou see him do it? " 



Cook had taken one good, long drink, and was handing 

 the bottle back to the 'Squire, his e5'es longingly following 

 it. and his lips smacking. 



•Tell the truth. Cook," said the 'Squire; " didn't 1 take 

 it with hook and lineV — Here, before you answer, take the 

 rest of this! " handing him the bottle again. 



Cook took it, held it up, and with his eye measiu'ed the 

 contents. 



" Oh, take it all. Cook," said the 'Squire. 



Another look,— there was enough s})irit in the bottle to 

 send him into a fence-corner for the rest of the day, — and 

 he .said, •' I gxess old Oilcrll s1<iit(t it ! '' and swallowed the 

 entire contents. 



"There, now. Cook—tell us the truth— didn't I catch 

 that trout with hook ami line? " 



We listened to see what answer was coming, after two 

 such drinks ;— it was given deliberately— 



