TO Grover Cleveland fishing is a

Transcription

1 GROVER CLEVELAND GOES AFISHING TO Grover Cleveland fishing is a science. I is not a pastime. He takes it seriously. He would not be more earnest addressing public meeting whence his words would be flashed over the country to be read by millions, than when he sits in a small boat and, with infinite patience, waits for a bite. Cleveland has been going to an island By C. W. SANDERS photographs by l. van oeyen That word sturdy probably describes him better than any other. In his old clothes he may lack polish, and certainly he does not lack strength. It s rather an oddly composed party. Charles Foster, ex-governor of Ohio, and all his life a Republican, is always there, and so is John Uri Lloyd, the writer. Fighting Bob Evans is an especial Mr. Cleveland Wastes no Time, but Gets Soon to Fishing. at the head of Lake Erie for the last six years. It is an ideal fishing place. To a man used to the sights and sounds of a city the stillness at night is almost appalling. The thing that impresses one most about the ex-president, when he gets so close to nature as he does here, is his simpleness. He wears an old brown suit, with a soft hat pulled down over his face. You do not feel that this heavyset, rather ponderous person is the man who has become familiar to you through his lithographs spread broadcast in political campaigns. He is a big man, but he is not as big a man as you expected. And he is sturdier. favorite of Cleveland s, but this year he was in Asiatic waters. Cleveland is very methodical in his habits on these trips. One day never differs from another except in the number of fish caught. Cleveland is at the clubhouse promptly at eight o clock every morning. Breakfast is a serious business. The bass caught the day before make one of the chief dishes. Probably next to catching fish Cleveland enjoys eating them. He never hurries. Even the anticipation of the day s sport does not hasten breakfast. Dinner takes anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours.

2 Rear-Admiral Lamberton and Leroy Brooks of Mr. Cleveland s Party. Cleveland dominates these fishing parties just as he used to dominate political conventions. All the other members wait for him and on him. If anybody else were late in arriving at the dock, he would stand a good chance of being left behind, but the tug never moves till Cleveland is aboard. As the little craft moves off from the dock across the sunny waters, Grover Cleveland comes as close to being a satisfied man as human can. He carefully begins to get his lines, and his pole, and his reel ready. The best fishing is in Canadian waters, and it costs the ex- President $25 for the privilege. Usually, he and Leroy Brooks, with a man to row, occupy the same boat. Cleveland s favorite seat is in the stern. He uses a short, light rod. He casts off carefully, bends forward while the line runs out, and then settles back, pulls his hat down over his face and smokes and waits silently. Ex-Governor Foster (of Ohio) is Always on Hand.

3 Grover Cleveland is a Patient Fisherman.

4 The Tug Remains at the Dock and All Wait until Mr. Cleveland Arrives.

5 John Uri Lloyd. Ex-Att'y-Gen. Harmon Two Others of the Cleveland Party. If the weather is fine and up there when it is fine, it is very fine indeed this idleness comes as near to perfect pleasure as anything can. Here and there an island dots the blue expanse; the water breaks in long, lazy swells; the tugs sleep at anchor; overhead is the hot, early summer sun. If anybody thinks Grover Cleveland is growing old, he wants to spend a day fishing with the ex-president. Cleveland seems to be indefatigable. Most often he sits motionless and silent. If the fish bite, he is happy; if they don not, he is hopeful. When the fish do not bite where he is, he clambers aboard the tug from the small boat, and seeks better grounds. It is usually about dusk before the party returns from the fishing. If it has been a good day, Cleveland stops on the dock a moment to talk. If the sport has been poor, he hastens on to the clubhouse. Nobody would think of making fun of him for his failure at least no one at this island but he evidently thinks taciturnity a safeguard. After the protracted dinner that even an ex-president is ready for at the end of the day, the party goes over to their cottage. In an hour lights are out; and so the quiet days slip by.