Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-07-16
A Very TOOihsomc Dish.

"What can YOU expect of those fellows
who eat frogs?" was the uncompli-
mentarN exclamation of "a noted writer
when he heard of the failure of GER
tain French dictionary, but he little
realized that the intended slur which no
east upon the people of France would
before long bc applicable to the citizens
Of America. Boston people alone call
for more than two hundred dozen of
these delicious little tid-bts every day,
while New York and the cities to the
west call for even larger supplies. In
the towns of Maine, notably Belfast and
Warren, and on Cape Cod, i'm Barn
stable, Centreville and Yarmouth, men
are dcvoting their entire time TO catch
ing these dutch nightingales'' for the
Boston market. Early in the morning
the fisherman, or perhaps more prop
erly speaking, reptileman, starts for the
green marshes with his long pole and
net. The frogs have just emerged
from their dark, Shiny beds, and are
sitting contentedly pcrched in some
sunny spot ready to begin the overture
of their morning serenadc. Suddenly
whish comes the net in their midst, and
the next moment their director, u big
pornd-and-a-hal fellow, Is, TO the great
establishment of his frog-ship, whirled
through the air and landed captive at
the feet of his arch enemy. Down
plump the other singers, tenor, bass and
baritone struggling and croaking in
startled discord, into their safe retreats,
only to return few minutes later and
yield up another victim to the unrelent-
ing net. A good frog fisherman will
catch fourteen or fifteen dozen day,
but an experienced amateur will find
this apparently easy sport difficult
fessional. Sometimes shooting Is re-
sorted to instead of netting, and, again,
the little rcd-fannel bait on the end of
a hook is used to cntice the frog from
his retreat.
The frogs are then sent, some alive
and some dressed ready for tie table,
to the Boston markets. In Faneuil
Hall Market, at the fish stands, heaps
of little shining pearl-white frogs
legs are offered to the public ut from
forty to sixty cents dozen. The season
lasts from June till October, July. how
ever, being the busiest time. As TO the
taste of this luxury, those who have
never partaken of the frog meat can
not realize its delicious flavor and ten
derness. The taste is not Il lishy one,
but resembles most that of n young
spring chicken. When served as Il
fried or broiled dish it is especially de-
lectable, and nj one hotel eight dozen n
day are 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 one, n
monster fellow, weighing nearly two
pounds, would sit in his tank and cry
exactly like baby. The customers
would look around in astonishmcnt,
wondering where the weeping child
was hidden. Another twilight minstrel,
kept in private aquarium, reminded
one of the famous frog ''who would IA
wooing 60" This fellow conceived n
violent attachment for young lady
visitor. Every time the lady approached
the glass abode of the singer he would
strike his most tunclcss lay and dart to
the glass side, following her all around
as she circled about the aquarium. One
day, to her great establishment, he made
prodigious leap and jumped square
upon her shoulder where he sat in
triumph. The eXcrtion was too much
for him, however, and few days after
ward he died, lamcnted by all who
knew him. boston J0UrUdl.