The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-09-22
Big Names--vVIth a Moral.

In the summer of 1880 L had occasion
to visit the northwestern part of Wiscon>
sin, by way of completing a tour of sci-
entlfic observation and survey. My prin-
cipal business was to examine the waters
OF the tributaries of the Mississippi, with
reference specially TO the fishes they con
tanned. With my nets, cans, guns, etc,
loaded upon the shoulders and backs of
my attendants, l arrived one evening,
near sunset, at the little hamlet or river
town OF Ii. weary, wet and hungry
My long hair and beard, quaint costume,
and strange exit" attracted the most
fixed attention from a group of loungers
at the inn where | sought food and rest
and particularly excited the curiosity of a
long, lank specimen Of back woodsman,
which curiosity, sprinkled with many
grams OF wonder, was attested by staring
eye and open mouth.
Hardly had the burdens of my men
been deposited in the corner of the bar
room, dry clothes donned, and myself
seated on the porch with note book in
hand, when l was confronted by eager
questioners "Where had come from
What was my business o. were the prin-
cipal interrogalories. l replied in brief,
that l was out upon a fishing expedition,
and that had that day been plying rod
and line, and casting net, in a stream
which flowed in the vicinity of their vii
lage. This latter piece of information
drew laugh from the company, followed
by remarks not very complimentary to
my piscatorial qualifications, in which ii
was quite broadly hinted that man must
be pretty nigh a fool who would stop TO
angle in such waters.
"What fish had | caught p asked one,
after the mirth had subsided.
''Oh,' said |. "some very interesting
specimens, assure youi indeed, l esteem
them of very great value"
Curiosity and wonder were again up
permost.
Il have captured" continued, ga few
species hardly expected to find in this
vicinity. In addition TO rare specimens
of cattus, lenciscus, etheostoma, percopsis,
and other archaeological genera, | have
succeeded by dint of perseverance and
hard labor, in taking a single catostomus."
This enumeration was made with all
imaginable gravity, and had the desired
effect. Asionishment was depicted on
every face. ''Never had such fishes been
heard of before in Mud Branch--nobuby
ever thought Of fishing there. Would
be SO kind as to show them the very rare
and strange fish had taken p
At the risk of having my head broken
for the mischief / was practising, l went
to can and took from 1t The aforesaid
catostomus, and laid it down on bench
for inspection. The arching ofeyebrows,
the Struggling of shoulders, the puckeripg
of mouths, told plainly that with ''pin>
hook had made another addition TO my
list Of specimen fishes. Ny tall friend
was strangely exercised. SIraddling out
his stills to their greatest expansion,
thrusting his hands deeply into the apper-
lures of his trousers, and ejeciing from his
mouth plump yard of tobacco spittle, be
broke out with:
81 say, Mister, what kind of fish did
you call that thar %
THAT" said |, ''is a catostomus.
Goat thunder !" exclaimed he, looking
down intently and even fiercely upon his
fishship. ''Ef that thar critter arn't
sucker, then there aTn't nary hell ~
This outburst brought down the house.,
and such another peal of laughter was
scarcely ever heard, venture TO say, from
the same number of human throats
The fish was indeed Of the family called
Suckers" and the high-sounding name
that science has applied to it did not
change It's character in the least, nor the
form or complexion Of single scale or
fin. 1t was simply and only sucker,
and small, inferior specimen at best.
Moral-Big names often cover up little
fishes, not worth the catching, save for
exhibition.