Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-08-08
Towed by a Cod.

While staying at seaport town b
Maine, last summer, q young MAI
named Edgar Ward caught large
Goldfish. Anxious to exhibit the priz,
to his father, who was expected in town
the following week, he hired FISH
cage-a water space near the shore In
closed with stakes-and in it placed
the fish, in very fair condition. For
few days it seemed rather dumpish anG
refused to eat; after that it rallied and
acted quite like itself. The yOuns
fisherman became much Interested il
feeding and playing with his prisoner
and spent several hours daily in th,
fish-cage.
The cod soon became accustomed t.
its narrow quarters and the presenc.
of its young master. 1t took food from
his hand, and allowed him to- stroke
and fondletit gently.
Seeing the creature SO tame, Edgar
conceived the idea of harnessing it anc
taking it outside the fish cage. FL,
procured some stout twine, and after
several attempts succeeded in harSess
ing the fish to his satisfaction cord
in its mouth for bits and some stfons
lines attached for drawing.
/ After few trials within the iaclos
ure, the cod responded readily to
gentle pull on the bit lines; and ther
1t was taken into the open water. Thh
was the beginning of good deal O
fun for the Gods owner and his friends
They drove the cod about in the shal
low wafer, swimming after it, only
taking care that their sea-horse did moi
make for deep water and dive to the
bottom.
Many curious spectators came dowr
to the beach to watch the sport, ant
among the rest young girl of venture
some spirit, who soon wanted to drive
the cod herself. Young Ward was per
suaded to let her make the attempt.
| She could swim little, but for bet
ter protection she donned life-pre
server. Then, somewhat excited, and
full Of merry brayado,. she entered the
water and took the lines. a.z
The cod at once swan off, draggina
her lightly after it. She laughed and
called out to her companions on shore
in wild enthusiasm.
t The cod was swimming into deer
water, and Edgar shouted, "Turn thil
way don't go SO far outl"
/ At this point the young girl evident
| ly became. confused. She ierked wildly
| first on one line and then on the other
The reins somehow got entangled
Her head went under; there was 6
momentary struggle; ; she threw up heI
arms, and the next instant she wal
dragged completely under water by the
strong fish.
| A boat was hurriedly manned by
Ward and three of his companions.
They were soon at the place where she
had disappeared, but could see nothing
of her. They scanned the water in all
directions, and rowed further out.
4 "There she isp cried Edgar, and be
plunged into the sea. One Of the Others
J followed him. Fortunately they were
quite.at home in the water, and sooD
freed the young girl from the lines and
brought her to the surface. She was
unconscious, nearly drowned.
I The ife-presprver was found to be
stuffed with hay, and it was this weight
which had first dragged her under wat
er, and so frightened her that she LOST
her presence Of mind.
The cod, still in harness, made iti
>scape..~- Yoatth's Companion.
A Justice Of logan township, Blai
county, Pa, has perplexing case. i.
blacksmith built wagon for anothe
citizen, painting It brown, ana retusln
|, to change the color TO green. In th
night the citizens entered the shop an
!, gave the vehicle coat Of paris green
Early next morning the blacksmith
COW, spying the verdurons tint, licke'
{ it of and died. The blacEsmith NO
i wants manages for his cow
!, In England there are over SoO. y
d more widows than widowers. In Franc
!. there are 194 Widows for every i
widowers.