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 snufif-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 



