The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-01
THE CALIFORNIA FROa sroRY-A
q

To the Editor of the n O. Crescent;
In conversation with q friend the other day. I
expressed astonishment at the fact that Gen.
Grant had not made a single speech during the
present campaign. "Why," said he, 'it's all quite
natural. Did you ever hear the story about the
California miner and his educated frog ~ "I do
not remember that ever did," "Well then,u
said he, "Once upon time California miner, who
worked in gulch far OF from all companonship,
found large toad frog in his tent, and being of o
kindly disposition, he determined TO tame and
make pet of it. He found that the frog was very
intelligent, and soon made such progress that hs
appeared to understand every word addressed to
him. But he especially showed his extraordinary
efficiency in the art of jumping. His leaps soon
grew so astonishing that 1t occurred TO the miner
that the animal would prove profitable thing to
exhibit. He tried the experiment. and every
miner IN the next town as well as those from tho
neigh berioy uIggfns, came 10 see the learned
frog So successful was he, that party of
friends made up purse of five thousand dollars
to pay his expenses TO the States, where
it was expected his frogship would excite
such a furor that fortune could be made. Con-
sequenily few days soon found the miner and
his freq in San Francisco, putting up at a sort Of
half gambling house, half hotel. The first night
of his stay at this place he made the Acquaintance
Of couple OF men who respectively hailed from
the Eastern and Western States. Agreeably to
their usual custom, they asked him a thousand
and one questions, and among them, his business
in New York. He told them, 10 exhibit his trained
frog--and, seizing so favorable an opportunity he
began to expatate upon the wonderful acquire
ments Of his pet. His hearers laughed in his face
when he stated that his frog could outjump any
frog in the world. He offered to bet hundred
dollars. They coutemptuousiy refused then one
thousand-still refused with a sneer. Then, think
ing that he had certain thing, the whole amount
of his piIe-fve thousand dollars. All the while
pretending to do him favor, one Of the party
took the bet and the money, In gold, was Plsnked
'"But a difficulty soon arose as to how the men
who had bet that the learned freq could not out
jun the whole frog kingdom were to prove II, az
they had not even single representative OF that,
royalty to pit against him However. still sure
of his game,. the miner volunteered 10 90 and
search for lone, provided that the opposite parties
would agree to bis being representative OF his
race when caught, and II he should be beaten TO
give up the contest. This was agreed to, and he.
y5sd The psfisss &o 6Pposea a Gin &66asyss 6as,
remained behind and quite coolly awaited his
coming. ~ f,. .,......t n
"He was not gone very long, and brought back.
with him q toad Of ordinary size, which WAS soon,
placed on the floor on a line with the brsg frog.
ana the as signal .,g gwen fos them to jump. But
time after time Finally IL was agreed that il vas;
allowable for each party to touch his toad so asi
TO scare him into leaping. At the first touch, the,
newly caught frog jumped about a yard the frsti
but the educated individual although rising up oni
his fore and hind legs as II incned to move, did,
not succeed in making an inch of headway in spitei
Of the repeated commands and even kicks Of hial
trainor. The referees after waiting patiently ant
hour for him to make leap. decided that he wass
beaten, and handed over the stakes to the EASTERN
and Western Yankees, who retired amid the plsu-,
dts Of all present.
"Astonished, as well as aggravated at the cons
duct OF his pet, the miner took him mp by the,
hind legs with the intention Of killing him, fcrt
his capital being gone, his visit to thet
States was impossible, and as his frog hsy}
ing proved at the outset unreliable, certainly
unsdvisable. But fancy his astonishment
when out rolled from the gaping mouth of
the poor reptile at least two pounds Of half0unce
leaden bullets. The mystery was explained: th4
Yankees bad employed their time while the mineS
was looking for the other frog, In tossing bullets
TO bm which he. among his other accomplish}
| ments. had been taught to catch and swallow. OF
courss be could not jump; he carried too mucls
| weight !
well, y continued my friend, "Grant Is 10 the
| same fix. The Yankees East and West, havtl
| tossed him platform which he was frog enougk
to swallow, and ever since he has been speeohless
| ON re peton. II is too much for the stomach OF
even the General of our Armies, and he can only
pour down the stin,aldnts with ahope Of assisting
| digestion or stlesst SIMPLIFYING his nerves. His
| trainers will lose their money sJon." LII.
Yours, F. A. B.