CAPTAIN IRA WOOD. 113 



As a boy, Mr. Butler was one of Ira's pupils in fly-casting, 

 and speaks with great enthusiasm of his teacher when he 

 relates their trips to the Adirondacks. 



About a week before his death Captain Wood opened 

 a store in Albany, at 1 5 Green Street, for the sale of fish- 

 ing tackle and general sporting goods, with every pros- 

 pect of success. Cut down by the reaper before he was 

 fully ripe, those whose good fortune it was to know him 

 intimately can say with Marc Antony : 



"His life was gentle; and the elements 

 So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 

 And say to all the world, This was a man!' " 



