Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 December 1906 — Booth and the Fish Line. [ARTICLE]

Booth and the Fish Line.

Of Edwin Booth Mr. Whitney relates the following anecdote: “In fishing he would exhibit the Impetuosity of a Petruchlo, and this cost me several rods, which broke Into smithereens over small trout. He got in one day from a neighboring town a new. fairly good bamboo fly rod, which I assisted him In setting up, arranging the reel and line and pliable soaked leader, and left him afterward noosing on a scarlet Ibis. The rod was lying on the dlulng room table. I was no sooner out of the rooms on the porch when I heard a tremendous rumpus In the dining room'tfnd, entering, found Booth flying about the room like a madman. He had left his fly banging over the side of the table, which the half grown family cat present, seeing, struck at with Ita paw, which the sharp hook caught In, and the frightened cat bolted under the table with rapid speed, breaking the rod tip and dragging the rod after, while Booth, crying “Scat, cat!” had no effect on the now crazed feline, which he was following after In great excitement at high pressure with adjectives of singular note. The sequel of this was the escape olf the cat with the gaudy fly well hooked In its foot, anil a well smashed up rod. I was too much convulsed, with the others drawn In by the commotion, to render any aid, and Booth soon joined In with our laughter, confessing that his fishing experience wus a faUure and that he would not have any more of It.”—Forest and Stream.