128 AN OPEN CREEL 



more or less in position, but it lies at an absurd slant, 

 and if that projecting edge does not cause a stumble it 

 will be a miracle and a mercy. Now for chalk and an 

 inscription. Hie jacet no, this is foolishness ; it is 

 not a tombstone, but an item in the path of virtue. 

 What if it does cover the mortal remains of our 

 beloved rod, companion of our joys, partner of our 

 sorrows ? Let the dead bury their dead. It weighed 

 nine ounces, and was unthinkable, for the word has 

 gone forth or come over, and it is " up to us " to make 

 our path the path of progress. The rod of the future 

 shall be such as will give the poor fish a chance, the 

 kind whose weight is less than that of the number 

 of gold pieces it costs. Big rivers ? Long casting ? 

 Wind ? Why, it will throw the cable from New York 

 to London across an Atlantic gale, and it will intensify 

 the angler's pleasure by playing his fish for a week. 

 Not throw a line from London to New York ? Not 

 want to play a fish for a week ? In the new year 

 we shall no longer be " back numbers " in these 

 matters. We shall get a hustle on our actions, and 

 add refinement to our perceptions at the same time. 

 A great thought, and the stone seems a little more 

 level for it. 



The fourth stone leans upon the third in a rather 

 symbolical manner. Beneath it is the reel that has 

 so often made music for our willing ears. It is a good 

 old reel, and has served us well; but it must suffer 

 a like fate with the rod in the interest of progress. 

 It is not fit to be placed on the dainty weapon which 

 must be used in the new year. For that we shall have 

 the four tarpon-power machine fitted with a lightning- 



