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Show Just Folks y Edgar A. Guatt ONCE A FISHERMAN Just as a boy did years ago. Bill Jones appeared outside my door Saving: "Down at a place I know The bass are biting Just off shore. a Come on! I've rod and reel and net Minnows and crawlers for tht day. A string of "whoppers' we can get If only you will slip away." ril say It's fully twenty years Since I have let a morning pass With all its petty cares and fears To try to catch a string of bass. And since so long on shore I'd stayed, (For chance would never Join with wish) X said to Bill: "I'm much afraid That I've forgotten how to fish." Who was It said 'that skill unused un-used " At last entirely disappears; That any knack too long refused Will vsnisb with the passing years ? Not sol To age I toss this Joy To soften bitterer re arrets: Who fished for black baas as a boy, Never the way ot It forgeta. Some gifts there are which Time can steal Some thrills belong to youth alone. But running line and clicking reel Are Joys the oldest man can ovrn. While many arts from life must pass. This stays, until the last sua sets:- Who once has caught a small-mouthed small-mouthed bass Never the knack ot it forgeta, There Isn't one European . country that can afford to come over here. If Hitler brought an army to our shores, be might find all his "children" speaking French or Russian when he got back. Major General Smedley D. Butler, U. 8. Marines, retired. 1 |