Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1881 — He Had Reasons. [ARTICLE]

He Had Reasons.

. One day last fall a queer sort of an old man hired a boat and rowed out on the river a little below Yonkers to fish. So far as could be observed from the banks he had no luck. He went out about ten in the morning, and at four in the afternoon he sat ih the same position, held his fishpole the same way, and had evidently settled down to stay there all night. Pretty soon a steamboat came rushing along down the river. She was headed directly for the fisherman, who was in mid-channel. She blew her whistle to warn him, but after a glance over his shoulder he resumed tbe old attitude. The steamer came nearer and nearer, and the old man was observed to give a sudden start and pay more attention to his line. When too late the pilot tried to stop and avoid the accident. The skiff was struck broadside and splintered to pieces, and for two or three minutes it was believed the old man was drowned. Then some' one espied him in the wake of the boat, and he was fished out.

“Didn’t you, hear us whistle?” asked the Captain, as the dripping man stood before-him. “Yes; and I whistled back!” was the reply. “We whistled for you to get out of the way.” ‘ “Anil I whistled to let you know that I’d be dhraed if I would.” “Had you any reasons for hanging ito the channel?” “Reasons! 7 guess I had! I had fished there for six hours without a nibble, and just as you came along I’d hooked a perch, which I honestly believe weighed mighty nigh a pound! Drat yotir old steamboat, but I’ll make you pay for that fish as well as the damages f I was six hours catching him, and I won’t settle for a farthing less than fifty cents.