The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-10-25
A VERY DAINTY DISH,
a Luxury I'm BoBton-2,O0O Frogs n Day
Future Industry for Charleston.
BILL Arr.

nat eau You expect OF those fellows
who eat frcSSY' was the uncomplimcn-
tary exclamation of II noled writer when
he heard of the failure of certain
French dictionary, but he little realized
that the intended slur which he cast
upon the people of France would before
long be applicable to the citizens of
America. Boston alone call for more
than TWO hundred dozen Of these deli
cious little tit-bits every day, while New
York and the cities of tho West call for
Maine, notably Belfast and Warren and
on Cape Cod, in Barustable, Centreville
and Yarmouth, men arc doyoting their
entire time to catching these .sDu,ch
nightingales" for the Boston market.
Early in the morning the fisherman, or
perhaps more properly speaking reptile.
man, starts for the green marshes with
his long pole and net. The frogs have
just emerged from their dark shiny beds
and are sitting conteutedly perched in
some sunny spot ready to begin the
overture OF their morning serenade.
Suddenly whish comes tho net into their
midst, and the next moment their tlircc.
tor, big pound half fellow, is, to
the great astonishment to his frogship,
whirled through the air aud landed a
captive at the feet of his arch enemy.
Down plump the other singers, tenor,
bass and baritone struggling and croak-
ing in startled discord, into their safe
retreats, only TO return few minutes
later and yield another victim to tho
unreienting net. A good frog fisherman
will catch fourteen or fifteen dozen day,
but an inexperienced amateur will find
this apparently easy sport difficult lob
when he attempts 10 rival the profession.
al. Sometimes shooting is resortcd to
instead Of netting, and, again, the littlo
red flannel bait on the end of il hook is
used to entice the frog from his retreat.
The frogs are then sent, some alive and
some dressed ready for the table, To the
Boston markets. In Faneull Hall mar
ket, at the fish stands heaps of little
shining pearlwhite frogs legs are offered
to the public at from forty to sixty cents
dozen. The seasons last from June till
October; July, however, being the
busiest time. As to the taste of this
luxury, those who have never partaken
OF the frog meat cannot recall its deli.
cious flavor and tenderness. The taste
is not a tishy one, but resembles most
that of young spring chicken. When
served as fried or boiled dish it is espe.
cially delectable, and at one hotel eight
dozen day arc called for in this form
during the July season, while even now
the average Is from two to three Dozen
Among the curious live specimens
brought to the Boston markets, a mon
ster fellow, weighing nearly two pounds,
would sit in his tank and cry exactly like
a baby. The customers would look
around in astonishment, wondering
where the weeping child was hidden.
Another twilight minstrel, kept in pri-
vate aquarium, reminded one of the
famous frog, "who would wooing 60"
This fellow conceived violent attach
ment for young lady visitor. Every
time the lady approached the glass abode
of the singer he would strike up his most
tuneless lay and dart to the glass side,
following her all around as size circled
about the aquarium. One day to her
great astonishment, he made prodigious
leap and jumped square upon her shoui-
der, where he sat in triumph. The
exertion was too much for him, however,
and fen days afterwards he died,
lsmented by all who knew him.
The gastronomic taste of Charleston
has not yet been educated up to tho poin:
of appreciating the toothsome frog leg.
The possibilities Of Charleston as a mar
ket for frog legs, provided the popular
taste could be cultivated in that direc.
tion, are immense. He'll Hole Swamp
itself would supply more frogs than all
OF Boston could eat while other localities
within easy reach of the city are equally
prolific. 1t would also open new field
of industry for the African citizen of the
rural districts. The frog will doubtless
come in time.--News and Courier.