582 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK 



when he discusses any important matter with himself, such 

 as the selection of a killing stretcher. No wonder the Indians 

 smoked at their council-fires; and, as for the nerves, I'll put 

 it against Mrs. Winslow's soothing syrup. What a pity it 

 is that infants are not taught to smoke! What shall my 

 stretcher be ; that fish refused Hofland's Fancy ; now let me 

 try one of my own fancy. Here is something a great deal 

 prettier ; a purple body in place of a snuff-brown, and light 

 wings from a lead-colored pigeon instead of a sober woodcock 

 feather. What a pretty fly half sad, half gay in its attire, 

 like an interesting young widow, when she decides on shed- 

 ding her weeds, and " begins to take notice." I'll change my 

 dropper also here it is; body of copper-colored peacock 

 hurl, wings of the feather of an old brown hen, mottled with 

 yellow specks. What a plain homely look it has ; it reminds 

 me of "the Girl with the Calico Dress." You are not as showy, 

 my dear miss, as the charming little widow, but certain indi- 

 viduals of my acquaintance are quite conscious of your worth. 

 Let me see which of you will prove most attractive to my 

 speckled friend. So here goes two to one on the widow 

 lost, by jingo! He looked at her and sailed slowly away. Has 

 he ever heard of the warning that the sage Mr. Weller gave 

 his son "Samivel?" Perhaps, then, he will take a notion to 

 " the girl with the calico dress." Once more now do take 

 care ! Ah ha ! my old boy, you would be indiscreet, after all, 

 and the widow has victimized you. Now she'll lead you a 

 dance ! Don't be travelling off with her as if you were on 

 your wedding tour, for I know you would like to get rid of 

 her already; but there is no divorce beneath the water, you 

 are mine, says she, " until death us do part !" 



There you are, now ! the three -minutes' fight has completely 

 taken the wind out of you. That's the last flap of your tail ; 

 the widow has killed you "as dead as a mackerel." Acting 



