Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-01
A WONDERFUL BASS.
The Finny Pet OF Greystone, and
Its Many Tricks.
II Jumps from the water to Snap Bait
from the Hand Of Its owner,
and Comes Whenever
lie Calls

II Is about two years ago that John
Forsou, the head gardener at Greystone,
the summer home of the late Samuel J.
Tilden, accompanied by some friends,
went over to the Grassy Sprain for n
days fishing. The Grassy Sprain Is
about n mile from Greystone, and feeds
the reservoir which supplies Yonkers
and its suburbs with water. IL was n
hot day. The sun shone straight
down from the sky and seemed to
scorch everything.
You had better take pail along,
john" said n companion, "if you want
to get your fish home in good shape.
The only way TO carry them in this sun
Is In pail of water. They'll be half
baked before you can get them home IL
you let the sun get at them"
Mr.. Forson thought that good idea,
so when the party started one carried
n two quart tin pail for the fish that
they expected TO catch Mr. Forson
has never ceased congratulating him
self upon that precaution. II II had
not been for that pail the wonder OF
Greystone would have died before he
had a chance to exhibit the talents
which have made him famous
The fishing was not good that day.
Perhaps the suns fierce rays penetrated
into the limpid waters and caused the
fish to feel the same languor that
makes mankind loath to stir on very hot
days. Perhaps the fishermen felt the
heat so much that they did not angle
with their usual skill. However that
may be, when the men lay down under
the trees and ate their noon luncheon
not single bite had rewarded their
repeated casting under the burning
sun. Continued efforts In the after
noon met with no better success, and
they were about TO unjoint their poles
and go home when MIR. Forson's line
Strengthened out. The fisherman
hauled In black bass less than six
inches long but plump and vigorous The
little fellow had been hooked through
the nose, and did not appear to be much
hurt.
Mr.. Forson took him off the hook
very gently. Then he filled the pail
with water and put the fish into IT,
lie shook himself for n moment and
then darted about with great rapidity
Having discovered the boundaries of
his prison he took things more easily
and moved about gently and lazily.
'I'll keep him. said Mr.. Forson,
thoughtfully, land put him with the
carp. lie ought To get along pretty
well with them"
60 tho haaa ,yaa onrrtaI g..
and put into pool of clear water. A
lot Of palms and varied subtropical
plants grow upon petrihcd logs piled
in artistic confusion over the pool. The
basin, which is in one OF the green
houses, is circular and about six feet
across. The water In IL is usually about
two feet deep and is fed by pipes from
the same reservoir In which the bass
had lived before his capture. The pet
ritcd logs, which came from north
western New York, look like big
chunks Of brown pumice stone. They
have been 30 arranged that while they
throw deep shadows into the water
they do not prevent n free circulation
OF air. The water is hidden by them
in places and only appears in the shape
OF little pools between the logs,
The greenhouse, in which the bass
found a new home, is the center one Of
u number devoted TO tropical and sub
tropical plants Enormous palms, ferns,
cactis and strange towering plants FIJI
every available space. The rays OF the
sun. which find their way through the
glass roof over the basin, are trans
formed into many colors before they
reach the water, for there are colored
panes Of glass at that point. On the
hottest days the greenhouse Is only
warm, and on the coolest the tempera-
ture is comfortable. There are no such
extremes of heat and cold as the bass
was accustomed TO in his former home,
but he has thrived, nevertheless
When he was first dropped into tho
basin he found the water occupied by
three German carp and a sunfish. The
carp lasted only short time, lie must
have swallowed them whole, for not
even bone or tail could be found by
Mr. Forson when he came 10 look for
tho unfortunates. The sunfish sur
viyed. His sharp exterior bones have
thus far saved him, but the bass leads
him a sad life.
For some time after he began his
new life the bass was very shy. A
mere glimpse Of his nose, peeping out
Of the shadows cast by the logs, was
all that could be seen. But Mr. Forson
was patient. lie had once trained some
goldfish TO snap worms out Of his An
gers, and he did not despair Of conquer
ing the bass. The latter showed great
deal Of intelligence, mixed with spirit
of mischievousness After his fear Of
Mr. Forson wore away he would appear
when the latter came around and threw
food into the water. lie would gulp
down the food, all the time keeping his
eyes hxed on Mr.. Forson. II the sun
fish came along and wanted part Of tho
meal the bass would dart at him and
drive him all around the pool Then
he would come back again and sail
lazily about with his eyes turned up at
Mr.. Forson.
There is a great deal Of expression In
the bass eyes, Mr.. Forson thinks, and
he Ia quite convinced that he has a lot
OF fun IN his dlGnasitIon- Tllat Ia