Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-01-22
A Playful and Intelligent Crab.

lug WhlLensn Try ana eggs.
A Playful and Intelligent Crab.
From the San Francisco Call.
A number of passengers on the two o.
clock Oakland boat the other day wit
messed an interesting and curious ex-
hibitiOn. A man having every appear
anes OF being a sailor stood on the lower
forward deck beside large pail, which
WAS filled with sea water. In this pail
was crab of enormous size, and, to
judge by the punches of barnaclas upon
his back, OF considerable age. The sail
or was a genial fellow, and appeared to
be proud of his pet. He first informed
the surrounding passengers that the crab
was the humble possessOr of the name
of Ned" and that in addition of owning
name he would answer to that name.
This was received with incrsdulOus
smiles OF the part of the on-lOOkers. The
crab could be observed lying mOtiOnless
at the bottom Of the pail. as apparently
cOntented with his position as though he
was delying in the mud at the bottom of
the bay. The sailor kneeled beside the
pail and gave subdued whistle and
then mnttered "Ned, Ned" twice. In
stantly there was cOmmotiOn in the
water, as the crab wriggled its joints
and bObbed around like spider impaled
on the point of needle. The motion
was kept up until ii succeeded in getting
two claws over the edge of the pail. 1t
then tried to draw itself up. The sailor
suddenly ceased whistling, whereupOn
Ned dropped into his mOtiOnless atti-
tude, only to rouse up again upon rep-
titien OF the whistle and the calling Of
his name. At last he got grip upon
the pail with one Of his claws and drew
himself up almost clear Of the water.
His master came to his relief and laid
him out upon the deck. Here he strut
ted around in his awkward fashion to
the infinite amusement of everyone. He
was apparently delighted, and when his
master stretched ont hand to him he
strOked it with his claws and even pre-
tended to "nip' it as kittens play bire,"
but il was noticeable that he did not
close on it. When any OF the passen gers
approached it appeared sensible Of the
difference between them and his master,
and drawing up his extremities lay sul-
lenly in one place. Upon being asked
"Ned" conld do any more won
derful things the sailor replied that he
could. He dropped "Ned" into his pail
to his crabsbip's satisfaction.
Then the pleased owner drew from his
pocket piece of thin rope. This he
stretched between two Of the deck posts,
about three feet from tho deck. The
crowd of spectators, which was now |
swslled by many from the upper deck, |
who had heard that something extraOr-
binary was going on, pressed around,
Eager to see what the next act was Oh |
The programme. The sailor picked Ned |
put of his natural element once moro
and hung him to the rope, his erabship |
the line tightly with one Of
his nippsrs. His master then began a
Ow, mOnOtonous whistle, and "Ned" put |
himself in motion, He evidently knew
Just what was expected OF him. and |
stretching out his spare nipper he got
,Old Of the rope short space along.
Then, wriggling his claws, no released
ls first hold and caught the rope again
,lOse to his second "nipper," In this
ashton he worked himself along to about
he middle of the rope, when he stopped.
His master held his hands beneath him,
lad he dropped into them exhausted.
The sailor explained that Ned became
weak after he was out Of the water very
org. Neds achievement was hailed
With delight by the passengers, and
many ladies pressed forward to look at
linn as he Law in the bottom Of the pail.
Breakfast and Dinner.
There is a good one told by General
Pierce Young, which we print in correct
ID shape. Custer and Young were mess
m ofaa md classmates ond davntnd l.