Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1902 — HAD A “STRIKE.” [ARTICLE]

HAD A “STRIKE.”

And One Was Enough to Cure Senator Vest of Liking for Tarpon Fishing. In a cottage down on the east coast of Florida, some 250 miles south of Jacksonville, Senator Quay Is eujoying life. His place is about thirty or forty acres in extent, and except for the cottage in which bls son Ilves he has no neighbors except Florida “crackers.” Within a mile of the house, however, is Indian River hamlet, where the tide rushes in and out with the velocity of a mill race, and where the tarpon is to be found in proper season. It is the tarpon which attracts Senator Quay to th 6 spot. No matter who is his guest for the time being, Senator Quay goes fishing by himself. Thus it was that one day Mr. Quay was off in one boat, while Senator Vest, who used to make a bluff at catching tarpon, was in a launch. On this particular afternoon Senator Vest was seated by the side of the boat, with the line wrapped around bls hand. He had been waiting for two flours for a “strike,” and as nothing seemed to be doing he had tied the line to his hand and was quietly dozing in the warm sunshine. Then something happened, says the Washington Post. Mr. Vest was suddenly pulled out of his seat, and turning a somersault fell in a heap on the floor of the boat. When the boatmen went to pick him up the line was running out over the gunwale with the speed of greased lightning. “What was that?” asked Vest as he slowly righted himself. “Tarpon,” said the guide laconically. “Tarpon?” repeated Vest. “Tarpon? Well, I’ll be • Ben,” he added, as he squinted his eye toward the clear heavens, “I think it is going to rain. Let’s go home.” Arid by that time the big flsh was a mile out at sea. •