Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 263, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1913 — Page 2

Fishing With Cormorants

111 "i UST as hawks and falcons Jwere formerly used In Europe, not Only for sporting l" s'" r purposes, but to replenish J£ S their masters’ larders with Lr-“J furred and feathered game, so do the Chinese and Japanese still employ trained T#cormorants, but in their case " they are used solely for eco-

nomic purposes. This may at first .appear to be a somewhat primitive method of obtaining fish, yet it seems to be a very serviceable one, and has at least the merit of being exceedingly picturesque. The antiquity of this form of fishing is incontrovertible, and is conclusively proved by the existence of very early Japanese paintings, which, if we allow for a somewhat crude and Oriental treatment, otherwise faithfully depict the sport as it is practiced down to the pres•ent day. We have also documentary evidence to show that these birds were similarly utilized in China as far back as the sixteenth century. In many parts of the latter country cormorants are used on still-water lagoons or sluggislr'Tivers, where they are allowed to swim free; but in Yunnan and Japan, where they are fished In swift-running streams, the birds are invariably harnessed. I have not had the opportunity of eeeing them handled by the Chinese, 'but a few years ago, when on a visit to Japan, I made a point of going to Gifu to Btudy the methods adopted by the Japanese on the River Nagara. Here the season lasts from May to October, during which time the river is visited by a small migratory fish, locally called ai. This fish belongs to >the Salmonidae family, and is known to ichthyologists as Plecoglossus altivelis'T. and S. In size, it hardly ever exceeds u foot 1° length, and is more often only six or seven niches long; The Japanese epicures praise it very 'highly as a table delicacy, though it

GATHERING PEACHES IN GEORGIA

Typical Scene in a Southern Orchard Where Negro Girls and Women Do the Fruit Picking.

PAID HIM TO BE TRUTHFUL

S i •Youngster Also Proved Hia Ability to i Get Himself Out of a Tight Station. County Judge Albert H. F. Seeger n r pti>f. flountv. N. Y., la a lawyer who doesn’t believe In wasting time y< u ir g oil ce hours, and his office force devotes the daylight of six days a week to work. some yearn ago the judge wont .»•*» *'«n.oon u< M>

must be admitted that the uneducated Occidental palate usually fails to detect its culinary merits; in fact, when I tasted it, I thought it compared rather unfavorably with the smelt, a fish it superficially resembles. The market value of the ai appears to be comparatively high, so that even if the season be a short One, the cormorant fishers are enabled to reap a sufficiently rich harvest, which more than compensates therti for their many months of enforced idleness. But even in midsummer, there are many nights when the meteorological conditions preclude all possibility of fishing. A heavy downpour of rain—and how frequent this is in a Japanese June! —speedily fills the river with a turbid flood that renders fishing wholly impracticable. Nor can the birds do any good on bright moonlight nights, for then, in the beautifully clear waters of this mountain stream, the fish can see their enemies approaching and, moreover,They are not attracted by the glare of the great, flaring braziers which are placed, in the form of an iron basket, on the bows of each of the vessels. On the Nagara the mods of fishing is for some six or seven boats to work in company. These drift slowly down stream for eighteen or twenty miles In the form of an open line that usually extends right across the river. As a rule, each boat possesses about fifteen or sixteen cormorants. These are controlled by means of reins attached to a small collar round the bird’s neck, which serves the additional purpose of preventing all but the tiniest fish being swallowed outright. The man standing in the bows, and therefore deriving full benefit from the light of the brazier, has some twelve birds in his charge, while the less experienced ojian posted amidships usually controls four -or five only. The dexterity of these fellows is really one of the most remarkable

clerks Invited all the young law students of Newburg to spend the after* noon at their office. The judge returned unexpectedly for some additional papers he wished to use, and the air was filled with tobacco smoke and Idleness when he entered. “To what unexpected good fortune do I owe the visit of so irlany young people?”, inquired the Judge, with a smile at the array of young men whose muddy shoes were resting on the top of his polished mahogany

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

features of the whole proceeding. It seemed inexplicable how one man could manipulate so many birds — swimming and diving as they were in all directions —without their reins becoming hopelessly entangled. Yet by sorting them with a lightning hand-over-hand movemeift, these leads were always kept clear, and never once did I see a man in real difficulties. When a cormorant has completely filled its gullet, it naturally takes no further interest in the proceedings, and will then swim idly upon the surface. When tbis is observed, the unfortunate creature is promptly hauled in board, and by a gentle but firm pressure of the hand it is foreed ignominously to disgorge its booty, whereupon it is thrown back to recommence its thankless task. In this way a single bird will account for a large number of fish during the night, and as the flock numbers upwards of a hundred individuals, the total catch is sometimes considerable. In the morning, when all is over, the cormorants are allowed to rest on the gunwale of the boat, each bird, known by name, having its allotted perch, which it defends with angry croaks and pecks should a neighbor dare to dispute its right. "The birds are absolutely fearless of their masters, and can be freely handled. There could hardly be a more interesting experience than to follow a flotilla of cormorant boats at work on a still midsummer night. Even the Japanese themselves appreciate the picturesqueness of the proceedings, ahdTTvery evening numerous boatloads of spectators may be seen on the river awaiting their arrival at Gifu. The fishing appears to be at its best in August, during which month the late Mikado used frequently to visit the scene.

The great braziers —huger crackling baskets of flame —cast a strange and lurid glare over the surroundings. In their dazzling light the brightly illuminated figures of the fishermen seem to stand out with almost unnatural sharpness against the velvety blackness of the night, while the men’s harsh cries of encouragement, the loud clatter of their oars, and the showers of hissing sparks falling upon the water all add to the weirdness of the scene.Cormorants are apparently not very difficult to train, and have been used in Europe for sporting purposes far more often than is generally supposed. Early in the seventeenth century James I. was enamored with the sport, and appointed someone “Master of Cormorants.” while he even went so far as to have ponds cut in a meawod-land near Westminster for the reception of various kinds of fish which were to be afterwards captured by his tame birds. Of recent years the well-known ‘falconer .Captain Salvin proved highly successful with his cormorants, and there are still some French sportsmen who keep these birds for their own entertainment.

Not So Crusty.

Though immortally labeled "Crusty Christopher" by Tennyson, ‘Christopher North” was not without his amiable side.

Everyone was at a loss for a reply except the judge’s youngest student Offering the judge his own chair and bowing low he replied with gravity: “To yous absence, sir.” The boy was put on salary the fol lowing week for truthfulness.

To the Nursery of Earth.

"Say, mamma, was the baby sent down from heaven?” "Yes, Willie.” I “They must like to have It gnlet «y there, hey, mamma "

NEW TAILORED SUITS

HAVE MARKED DISTINCTNESS IN CUT AND FINISH. Departure From the Mannlah Feature la Noted—Tendency to Drapery on Both Skirts and Coats — Much Fur Will Be Used. Fall tailored Buits will*be characterized by various eccentricities of cut and finish. Occasionally a mannish model is to be noted among the new consignments, but for the most part they are more on the costume order, and, although plain and exceedingly well tailored, nevertheless have a more formal appearance than the coat and skirt of other seasons. Much fur will be used, and there is a decided tendency to drape not only the skirts but the coats, or at least to have them hint of drapery. Skirts are still narrow at the foot, but usually have some fullness, variously arranged, at the tap—that is, there may be a few gathers distributed along the sides only or across the back ■and front or strung uniformally around the top, and there is usually a break in the folds at the knee line or ankles, caused by raising or lowering the material where it is attached to the waistband. Generally this marks the extent of attempts at draping. Today’s sketch shows a suit that is typical of fall’s fashion. It is developed in the wedgwood blue velours de laine, and has for trimming band cuffs and a rolling collar of gray fox fur. The cutaway jacket is extremely smart, fitting smoothly in front and blousing a little in back. A sash of black moire is run through an eyelet on either side of the front at the bust line, and from there is carried downward and tied in a bow below the

New Tailored Model in Wedgwood Blue Velours de Laine.

waist in back, with two not very long sashends. The fronts are left open for a space of five or six inches, disclosing a crossed vast of white wool ratine, with a row of tiny/steql buttons in the center. The material is used diagonally throughout, and incite skirt there are just two seams, directly in front and in back. The lower part of the front of the skirt is lifted up in draped

BETTER THAN OLDER STYLES

Frock for Small Girl Is a Compromise Between Two Blouse Effects Long Popular. A frock for a girl, of eight to ten appears in the accompanying drawing.

It is a sort of compromise between the Balkan and Russian blouse styles, both of which are so becoming to children of this age. This may be made up in wool materia], or If the days of tub dresses have not yet been passed, a dainty linen, cbambray or other washable material would be pretty. The blouse has slightly more fullness than the Rus-

sian styles and ; joins a short and rather scant skirt under a broad sash of plaid silk. If the frock has been made of wool material. The wide collar Is of the silk, faced with the material. The plaid pipes also the drop shoulder seams, front closing and cuffs.

Place for Pockets.

Latest fashion advices grant women pockets of all sorts, sites and variety of placing. So oddly draped are some of the late Paris race track gownk that the appearance Is suggested of pockets over each hip In true trouser pe*’k «t style

folds that are held In place under a narrow perpendicular band of selfmaterial, Und there is a small ourved opening above the feet. At the raised waist line in back a row of gathers is covered by auother narrow band of self-material, finished at either end with, a steel button. — Washington Star.

EASY TO WIND THE SKEIN

Little Contrivance Does Away With --—the Necessity of Impressing Small Boy or Girl. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the difficulty of winding a skein of wool into a ball without the aid of a second

pair of hands, but with the simple little contrivance shown in our sketch, this may be done with ease, and the holder,can be made in a few moments. It merely consists of a piece of board in which a number of boles have been made and into which pegs (ordinary clothes pegs will answer the purpose) can be firmly inserted. Two picture rings can be screwed into the upper edges of the wood and the holder can be hung upon the wall, and in that case, the pegs should be fastened in the holes at an angle pointing upwards or the board with the skein placed round the pegs can be held in the lap or on the table and so used, and the small sketch on the right illustrates it in this position. The object of having holes in the board at various distances apart is that the pegs can be placed at different distances apart, so that the holder will take a skein of any size.

WEAR YOUR CLOTHES EASILY

Getting This Effect Is More to the Purpose Than Simply the Wearing of Rich Clothing. A little while ago a Frenchman said that English women were getting so that they wore their clothes more easily than they used to. He rejoiced at the fact. Women should wear their clothes easily. A beautiful gown worn stiffly is no better than an ugly gown worn graciously. In fact, the beautiful gown in this case is not so good as the other. Was there ever any sight more distressing than that of a simple woman dressed in all her Sunday best? Her clothes were well enough. They were well made and of good material! But she looked afraid of them and wore them stiffly. How much better she looked in gingham house dress, with apron and sunbonnet, perhaps to match. —j And then there Is the economical young girl who wears her “best" clothes always as if she had their value in mind and was trying to taka care of them. She smoothes them out and holds them well away from furniture and neighbors, that they — the clothes —may not be contaminated by touching anything. A young girl always looks better in a simple frock, comfortably and therefore gracefully worn, than in a really elaborate frock which she wears stiffly. Lovely clothed should be worn joyously, even indifferently. It is not hard to do this now, for clothes ara soft and clinging and graceful, and refuse to let their wearers look stiff and “careful.” So now, while fashion is with cultivate the art of wearing your clothes as if they'were glad you had them, as if they were a joy, not a burden, to you.

MANY NEW LINGERIE EFFECTS

Styles. Change in This as in All Ofhsr Matters Connected With Feminine Apparel. r The white corset cover, run with baby ribbon, does not show through the sheer fine blouses of the day. It is replaced by the lace or tucked net brassiere on which wide satin ribbons are mounted frankly as a trimming. Some of these sheer bloußes have* slips of iflesh-colored chiffon beneath, which give a suggestively transparent effect without actual transparency. Lingerie waists of fine batiste with embroidery trimmings are worn over slips of flesh-tinted chiffon with lovely effect. Organdie is a new blouse fabric, also, but It Is used without the stiff dressing that used to make the material stand out crisply. Embroidery is added banding*and motifs, or in the shape of collars and cuffs, on blouses of picked white material. Dainty lingerie models have crossed fichus of net and fine embroidery draped over the bust.

Flower and Fruit Fad.

We are to have a fruit and flower autumn, say the sartorial authorities. Small blossoms are painted, embroidered or appllqued on our chiffons and nlnon gowns. Roses, orchids or Iris we wear in our waistbands, and something that might be aprlcpts 01 peaches garnishes onr hats, to say nothing of clusters of cherries ant* the grapes In post-impressionist pa* piss and greens.

OSH® HENRY - HOWLAND CMC I ' PRIDE \M We’ve made gains at Pumpkin Center, aji the census figures show; We have twice the population that w« , had ten years ago; We have outstripped Cherry Valley and left Podunk in the rear; We are catchln’ up with Bingtown and are crowdin’ Rensaleer: By annexin’ all our suburbs we have made a might stride. Bo you’ll see It sin’t no wonder we are full of civic pride. our grafters keep on graftin’ In the same old busy way; There's another scandal started#nearly every other day; Can’t, somehow, persuade the voters that it wouldn’t be a crime To quit votin’ the same tickets that their dads did in their time; Got a council full of rascals; gettin’ robbed on every side. But we’ve gained in population and are full of- civic pride. There Is rubbish in our alleys and the air is full of smoke; , We’ve a waterworks department, but lt’» got to be a Joke; There is graftin’ in the courthouse, likewise in the city hall; TliS’streets are full of mudholes and get no repairs at all; We’re in debt and gettin’ deeper so the crooks can be supplied. But we’ve outstripped Cherry Valley and are full of civic pride. We Bhould have another schoolhouse —issued bonds a year ago; ft appears the grafters somehow gobbled up the money, though; Wo*ve a law forbiddin’ gamblin’, but the gamblers never mind. And the town looks like the dickens, but we’ve left Podunk behind; We are catchln’ up with Bingtown; we'va spread out on every side. So you'll see it ain’t no wonder we are full of civic pride.

Rewards of Culture.

“I used to think it was nothin’ but time and money wasted to send a girl to coHege.” “I am glad to hear that you have changed your opinion.” “Yes. Since our daughter come back she can tell what nearly everything you see on one of these hotel menus stands ter in plain English.”

He Couldn’t Help It.

“And here,” said the preacher gazing sadly down at the coffin, “she liea today in a holy calm.” . “For the first time in her life,” the stricken widower couldn’t help thinking, although he made haste to let his sorrow have sway again, while tears that were genuinely bitter coarsed down his cheeks.

Appreciative Girl.

Clara —He boasts that he kissed yotf the first time he ever called on you. ‘ Jessie —Thank you. j Clara —What do yo-u mean? Why do you thank me? Jessie —For saying he boasts, whqn you might have said that he reluctantly admits.

SOME INSIST ON BEING STUNG.

so hard to let you down easy.”

When a Man's in Love.

When a man’s In love he fondly deems The days an made for sighs and dreams; There’s sweetness In each breath of air, And every prospect stretches fs'r. In every stone a Jewel gleams, Th« awn sheds only golden beams. Glad songs are sung by all the streams. And liveliness Is everywhere. Whan a man’s tn love. Forgetting wicked, worldly schemes. For him there’s music In the ecreame The night cat utters! People stare And eay he’s daft; he doesn’t care How great a fool they think he seems. When a man’s in love.

Ma’s Error.

“Papa," asked the little sou of ,-ths board of trade man, “are you a bull or a bear?” *Tm a bull, Just now." "There! I told mamma she was mistaken when she said you was an old bear, after yon went away this morning.”

“I wonder if you’d marry me If I had money?” he sighed. “Ah, George,” answered* “why do you wish me to be cruel to •you? I have tried