Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-07-13
4 PLAYFUL CRAB
ihe Intelligent Monster That Entertained
an Oakland Steamers Passengers
san Francisco Call

l>au francisco Call.
A amber Of passengers on the two
o'clock Oakland boat yesterday witnes sed
an interesting aud curious exhibition. A
man. having every appearance Of being a
sailor, stood on the lower forward deck
beside large pail, which was filed with
ssa water. In this pail was crab OF
enormous size, and 70 Judge by the
puncnes or barnacles upon its back. Of
considerable age. The sailor was a genial
fellow and appeared TO be proud OF his
I pet he first Informed the surrounding
passengers that the crab was the humble
possessor Of the name OF Med" and that
In addition to owning a name he would
An nswer 20 that name. This was received
with incredulous smiles on the part of the
on-lookers- The crab could be observed
yihg motionless at the bottom of the pail,
as apparently contented with his position
as though ne was delving in the mud at
TIE bottom Of the bay. The sailor kneeled
Deside the pail and gave subdued
whistle, and then muttered, Ned.
Ned, twice. Instantly there was COM
motion in the water, as the crab
wriggled its joints and bobbed around like
spider impaled on the point of a needle
ihis motion was kept up until IL succeed
ed IN getting two claws over the edge OF
tne pal. II then tried TO draw itself un.
ihe sailor suddenly ceased whistling
Whereup1n Ned" dropped into his mo-
'lonless attitude, only TO rouse up again
aPon a rep titiou of the whistle and the
cailinS Of his name. At last be got a grir
upon the pail with one OF his claws and
lrew himself up almost clear Of the water.
IT'S master came 70 his relief and laid him
out upon the deck. Here ne strutted
around in his awkward fashion. 70 the in
Unite amusement Of every one He was
apparently delighted and when his mas |
ger tened out a hand to him he stroked |
% win MS claws and even pretended to |
nip it as kittens play bite" but it was /
noticeable that he did uot close on il.
" hen any Of the passengers approached |
- appeared sensible OF the difference be-
~een them aai h.s master. aud drawing
lp his extremties lay sulsulv in one
'tace Upon being asked il Ned" could
10 any more wonderful things the sailor
replied that he could. He dropped ssNedu
nto his pail t0 his crabship's satisfaction
Then the pleased owner drew from his
pocket piece Of thin rope. This he
'tretched between two of the deck posts.
bout three feet from the deck. The
rowd ~ spectators. which were now
"elied by many from the upper deck.
rho had beard that something extraordf.
ary vas going on, pressed around. eager
p ace what the next act was on the pro-
ramue- The sailor plucked "Ned', ont
nis natural q smsnt once more and bung
I'M 20 the rope, h.s crabship clutchfpg
le line tishtiy with one of bis nippers
.is master then began low cry. mopot ,
nous whistle, and Ned put himself i,
.ot on. Tie evidently knew lust wbas
a. expected of him. and stretching ont
= spare nipper be got hold ~ the rope I
iart space along Them. wrixrlipr his
avs ia released his first hold and can -b, !
e rope again close 70 Ms second nippar E
tnis fashion he workei himself alooo
foou the mid iie Of the rope. when he Il
opped II e Muster he'd his hands la e
'ath nln- and he dropped into them az :
'Hsted The sailor explained that Vef r,
came weak after he wss Gus of the Va =
r very long Nei's achievement va =
.ird with delight BY the passengers
a manv ladieS pressed forward - losk
oint as he lay i'm the bottom of the nail