The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-09-07

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HARRY'S PET STURGEON.
Thirty-four years ago boys who lived
on the shores Of Lake Champlain were
very. fond of catching the big surgeons
that abounded IN its clear waters. Not
more SO, perhaps. than boys would be
now if fine fish were as plenty and as
easily captured; but then other sports
were not so common in that day, and
fishing had mneh less competition. Oft
en- six or seven would go out together
with long seines, and some famous
catches they used to make. -
One spring day several lads about
eighteen years old hauled in a splen-
did sturgeon, whose good nature and
intelligence won him quite local fame,
and whose story ought to have been
written long ago 1864 ssdois,fs tssss Il
He was such asfilie, handsome fellow,
that Harry Miller. al kind hearted boy who
was fond Of pets, determined to take him
home and try to tame him. 81
The rest of the party were all willing
togiveup their share in the prize, SO the
big captive's fate was settled then and
there. Harry took him to his home at
Cedar Point, near Port Henry, and put
him in box which hes had sunk in the
water, and fastened to d landing st the
edge of the lake. ---.---.-
The box was about eight feet wide
and thirteen feet long, SO that q stur-
geon could have plenty of room, even
II he was over three and q alffeet long,
and weighed about one hundred and
fifteen pounds, as this one did. Harry
was careful that there should be plenty
OF chance for the fresh lake water to
flow all through this novel aquarium.
so that it was always fresh and pure.
He also made q door which could be
securely locked. so that he could take
his pet out when be wished, and yet be
sure that no one would steal him.
The next thing was a name, and COM
mon place Tom was chosen. inst as it
might be for horse or dog. It did
not take Tom long to learn his name,
and as he had all the worms, meat and
kitchen scraps he could eat, and was
always treated Kindly, he soon grew
very tame and fat. He was ready
whenever any one came to feed him.
and when his master. playfully patted
his sides, he would roll over Just as
rogushly as pet puss might. s. rIsls
A Frenchman who lived near Harry
Miller's home was wonderfully skillful
IN training animals, and he persuaded
harry to let him see what he could do
with Tom He found most docile
pupil, and succeeded amazingly. to
Harry's intense delight. After several
weeks he considered, his task accom-
pIlshed, and returned his charge to his |
young owner.
Tom was now ready to do something
practical in return for his master kind
ness; I'M fact, he had become a real
searhorsap veil broken to harness, q |
rather to rope, for that is all he needed
to pull boat. sA
A heavy. ring. was fastened through
the thick cartilage just behind the dor. |
sal or back fin, and a stout rome was
into this ring when Tom was |
!" hitched up" just as a rein often is |
into a Bit s
The other end of the rope was held or
made fast in the boat, SO that all one
had to do to have 4 fine ride was to at |
tend to the steering A long pole did |
duty for reins, and slap ON the water
either side of Tom would turn him IN /
the opposite direction.
Il he grew lazy, as he sometimes did. |
sharp splash just behind would quick |
en- him up. There was never any trou-
Bile about getting home after a ride. |
Just as soon as Tom had a chance to /
turn around, he would start straight for
nis nox. and swim with all his might |
until he was once more snugly housed. /
While Tom was being trained. be was
allowed only about six feet of rope, but
alter Harry felt sure that he could trust /
MS pet, he let him go twenty or thirty
eet from the boat, and instead of short /
tides he used to stay out as long as three |
Or four hours.
just think, boys, of going fishing with
fish to do the scuIling! NATURALLY Tom
vas kept quite busy towing fishing /
parties, and be worked all the better
when he had plenty to do. A vacation
y two or three days would make him
behave like colt the next time he went
)ut. =
At first he would rush off at a great
ate. drawing two men in good-sized
boat nearly as fast as one Could row
'ut ne would soon cool down until he
hardly wanted to stir at all.
Work every day was what Tom needed
o make him willing and steady, and if
le had IT he was model of good be-
lavior.
u course great many other boys