The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1882-08-12
HARRY iMILLERs STURGEON.

Thirty.four years ago boys who lived
on tho shores Of Lake Champlain were
very fond Of catching the big surgeons
that abounded In iis clear waters. Not
more 30, perhaps, than boys would DO
now II ilna, fiHh were ~ plenty and rs
easily capturcd but then other sports
were NOT 30 common IN that day. and
fishing had much less competition. Oft
en- six or seven would 20 out together
with long seines, and somc famous
catches they used TO make.
One spring day several lads about
eighteen years old hauled In splun-
did sturgeon. whose good nature and
intelligence won him quitca local fame,
and whose story ought to have boon
written long ago. af
lie was such fine, handsome fellow,
thai Harry Miller, q klnd.heart@iboy who
was fond Of pets. determined 10 take him
home and try 10 tame him.
The rest of the party were NIL willing
10 give up their share In the prize. 50 the
big captive's fate was settled then and
there. Harry took him 10 his homc at
Cedar Point. near Port Henry, and put
him In box which he had sunk In The
water, and fastened 10 landing 1.-THE
rdgp Of the lake.
The box was about eight feet wide
aud thirteen feet long. 80 that stur.
geon could have plenty of room, even
II he was over three and a half feet long,
and weighed about ono hundred and
fifteen pounds, as this one did. Harry
was careful that therr should bo plenty
Of chance for tho fresh lake water q
low NIL through this novel aquarium,
so that II was always fresh and pure
He also made a door which could b
securely locked. 80 that ho could ihkt
bis pet out when he wished. and yet b.
sure that no one would steal him.
Tho next thing wasa nau,o, and com
mon place Tom was chosan. just ~ I
might be for q horse or . dog. II dit
not take Tom long 70 learn his name
and ~ no hsd all tho worms. meat nlit
kitchen scraps he could eat, and wa
always treated kindly, he soon grow
very tame md fat He was fdaaj
whenever any one csznc 70 feed him
and when his master playfully paitod
his sides. he would ron over just D
rpguishIy a. \ pet puss might ps.
a frenchman who lived naar Harry
Millcrss home wns wonderfully skilifu
| In trimming animals, and Ne pcreuadsd
Harry 10 1et him SEQ what he could d.
with Tom. He found . most docil1
pupil. and sliccscded amazingly. b
| harry's infepse delight Altar l@veysl
weeks ha considered bis task eeeotp
pIIshed. and returned his charge to hil
| y01nR cwner. nnz s5fet IsiH ~
Tom was now ready % do ,somathina
practical In return lor his mater kind
ness; In fnct, bs had becose > rsaI
"a seh-horse." well brpken 70 harness, o.
rather 10 ropc. for that i Ill be NODDED
| 70 pull boat
4 heavy ring was fastened through
the thick cartilage Just hchind the dor
al or back On. and 8 stout rope VA
snapped into fhis ring WHEN Tenn VA
"hitchod up" Just - > reln often 7
into q bit.
The other end Of the rope was held d
| made fast In the boat. 70 that al one
had 10 do 10 have = fins ride was 70 a.
tend to tho steering. A long pols DIX
duty for ruins. and slap on tho waiei
either side of Tom would turn him b
the opposite direction.
II be grew lazy. - he sometimes did
. sharp splash Just behind wonld quick
en- him up. Thero waa never any frou
bic about cutting homo nfscr ; ride
Just ~ sboli ~ Tom had chance 4
turn around. he aould slaTt straight 70
his box. and swim with ell his Nigh
until he was orce inors snugIy housed
| While Tom wAs being trakned. he ~
allowed only about SIX fset Of rope. bu
after Harry felt sure that he could tFsis
his pek he let him 20 lventy o. thirs
feet from the boat and instead d nhoI
rides he used 70 stay out aslonE - ihre
| or four hoslrs.
Just think, boys, Of going fishing VII
. fish 10 othe sculllngl Naturally TOT
was kept quite busy towing iishin
! parties. and hc worked ell tie bettl
when he had plenty 70 do. A sncdfiu
q two or three days would mnlEs Mi
behave like colt The nsxi time be ve'
out
Al frst hs would rush o6 Il : gre
, | rsss. drawing two men IN good -sis'
, boat nearly a. fast - one could ros
! | but he would soon cool down until
! | hardly wanted 10 stir Il ell
Il Work every dny vns whnk Tom need