Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-01

fish. When food Is thrown In the bass
cats grecdily until he has filed his
stomach and then lies down at the bot
tom of the basin and appears 10 10 TO
sleep. lie is utterly motionlcss, and
the unfortunate sunfish, who has been
lurking in the shadows, afraid TO come
out while his savage companion is
actively about, is deceived. He comes
up swiftly and gulps ut choice It'd
bit hut before his mouth can close
over II up comes the bass, with his big
jaws wide open, and gives the poor
sunfsh a bite that would make him
yell with agony II he had the power.
Away goes the sunHsh as fast as ever
he can Mr. Forson believes that the
bass actually laughs on such occasions,
for his jaws open and close and tho
drollest OF expressions linger about his
eyes After awhile he sinks down and
tries TO fool the sunfish again. lie will
wait most patiently, but the sunfish
has learned wisdom by many painful
experiences aud rarely falls into the
trap second time. How tho sunfish
manages TO get enough TO eat to keep
alive Is wonder, for the bass il con.
stantly after him.
Nowadays the bass recognizes Mr..
Forson's voice. II Mr.. Forson calls to
him up he pops lie will also answer
TO whistle or to a peculiar snap OF the
fingers, which he recognizes as belong.
ing exclusively TO Mr.. Forson.
A reporter for tho New York Sun
saw the bass recently. lie has grown
to be about eight inches long and Is
very plump. lie was not In sight when
Mr.. Forson and the reporter entered
the greenhouse. Mr.. Forson stopped
down over one of the pools and
splashed his hand In tho water vigor-
ously, and followed this by swapping
of his fingers Presently the bass np-
pearcd. His head was near the sur.
face Of the water, while his tail was
about five inches below IT, lie looked
up ut Mr.. Forson In very funny way,
the whites Of his eyes showing very
prominently. Mr.. Forson held a worm
above the water and called:
Come, como, now"
The bass wrigglcd his tail FOR n min
ute, aid then seemed 10 gather him
self for the jump. A moment later he
flew out Of the water and picked the
worm out of Mr. Forson's fingers lie
fell back with n splash, and immc-
diately resumed his former perpendicu-
lar position. lie smacked his Jaws sew
eral times, showing an enormous mouth,
and moved the little fms tipped with
white under his jaws. lie watched Mr..
Forson Attentively all the time aud
seemed to pay no attention TO the re-
porter.
Mr.. Forson held another worm over
the water. The bass braced himself
again for n jump, but Just then he
caught sight OF the suniish stealing
along as II looking for a morscl that
the bnss might drop. Like flash the
bass dartcd at the sunfish, anger ap.
parently being stronger than hunger.
Both disappeared for n minute Then
the bass came back alone, took up his
former position and waited till Mr..
Forson held out the worm again. Up
he flew and snapped the worm out OF
Mr.. Forson's fingera This he repeated
number of times, until the sunhsh
again peeped out OF the shadows, when
second chase ensued.
Mr.. Forson walked around 10 another
part OF the basin where the water was
overcast by heavy shadows. This was
out OF sight OF the pool at which he had
been. llo whistled in peculiar man.
ner and the bass came up there. Mr..
Forson put his hand In the water and
began splashing and tho bass came
right up To him.
Mr.. Forson says the bass will allow
him to fondle II and will play with him
as long as he wants TO. In fact he is
very fond of fooling and shows his ap.
probation OF IL in many ways. lie will
jump for worms even when he Ii not
hungry Just for the sport Of II, and will
drop them in the water. lie never fails
TO keep n sharp lookout for the sun.
fish, however. lie does not care very
much for worms, as rule but he Is
very fond Of CRASH oppcrs and crickets.
lie cavorts In great glee when Mr..
Forson comes TO him with these tidbits
and will do his highest jumping for
them.
Tho fame Of his performances has
spread all over Yonlsers, Hastings,
and the ncighboring villages and a
great many visitors come TO see him.
Very few Of them are prepared for his
exhibitions and their surprise at his
intelligence has given rise TO his title
1.-THE Wonder OF Greystone.