118 PLEASURES OF ANGLING. 



the self-sacrificing courtesy which distinguishes all 

 true disciples of the gentle art. For, be it under- 

 stood, it is no mean proof of magnanimity to volun- 

 tarily surrender to another the best place to fish. 

 It requires more grace than to give up a "sure 

 thing " in Wall street. This latter sacrifice goes no 

 deeper than the pocket; the former touches the 

 core of your highest enjoyment. Whoever makes 

 this sacrifice has the spirit of the good Samaritan. 

 All anglers may not be thus magnanimous, and 

 those who are do not always find their magna- 

 nimity appreciated. But such is the experience of 

 all doers of good deeds. Charitable men, and men 

 of kindly sympathies, are as often accused of osten- 

 tation as commended for benevolence. No matter 

 if they do try to " do good by stealth and blush to 

 find it fame," there are critics who will pronounce 

 their modesty hypocrisy, and their blushes the 

 flush of anger that their charities are not pro- 

 claimed from the house-top. Not so the Judge. 

 He appreciated the well-meant compliment, and 

 gave due expression to the feeling of gratitude 

 which this " offering of friendship " excited in his 

 " manly bosom." 



The issue of this little bit of courtesy was much 

 more satisfactory than a similar instance of pisca- 

 torial self-sacrifice which I remember. It occurred 

 in the " North Woods," on one of the inlets which 



