The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-11-15
AN EXPERIMENT..

lived around the western slope of Caroway
mountain, used to meet once or twice {
week at Taylor's store. When they were
small, they hunted frogs along the creek
or climbed der trees" Crows being the
natural enerny of the farmer, the destruc
ton of a crows nest was an especia
achievement almost equal to the discovery
of a bee tree, though hardly SO rich in in
cident.
AS the Penett ators grew older this sori
of diversion became stale. An old negro
named Catfish Jones was often the victim
of a trick. This uncommon title was not
baptismal, it'd fair to state. The name
his parents gave him, being mere guess
work, was probably q lnisft, and he nat
urally grew into one which had more
character attached to it. Once when affix-
ing his mark to a legal document the old
man had written Catfish P. Jones" but
it is more than likely this was for sono-
rous effect rather than a concession to the
buried past.
He lived alone at the mouth of Stony
creek, and what he knew about catching
fish approached the dignity of a science.
1t was the result of lifelong observation.
His lines were odds and ends of string,
the intent and purpose of which would
mystify a grownup man, and it was nc
wonder that the ordinary clumsy caution
of a catfish or the cunning of "stink-
TOM availed nothing against such con
trivances. When he suspended a big
piece of meat so near the top of the water
that it seemed to be floating, it would de-
ceive the Oldest and biggest fish in Yad-
kin river. The old negro smiled back as
at early sunrise he greeted the occupants OF
his hooks, each fish with it's nose at the
surface of the water.
One afternoon he was fishing for cells at
the foot of a sycamore tree that leaned
over the deep water. Following his habit,
he dozed off to sleep, and while he nodded
some one slipped up behind, and fitting a
forked pole astride his neck pushed him
into the river. He went under the water
with a terrified yell and came up putting
and suffering. Ordinarily Catfish would
meekly submit to any amount of punish
ment, bat now he was dangerously scared.
He grabbed wildly at tufts of grass and
swore at the top of his voice. AS he Sc
cured sufficient hold to pull himself over
the bank he saw June Tarpey and n OF
the Taylor boys running off over the hill.
The negro's fright had lent him unusual
strength and ieetness, and to June it
seemed no time at all until Catfsh's long,
slender fingers twined themselves about
his neck aud he felt himself falling back
ward.
He could never tell just what happened
after that. He knew that after awhile
when Catfish left him he was covered with
dirt and burning with pain.
"Boyi'
June shuddered MS the negro faced about
again. Look heah, boy, 1 guess 1 des as
well finish you now"
June began begging again for mercy.
The negro seemed inclined to turn away
again.
boy, +" he said, 'syou even fool roun
me any mo, / des ruin yo'," and his words
sank SO deep into June that even after he
was out of sight and hearing June was
afraid. He hardly knew which way to
venture. This was a sad termination to
what was intended to be a brilliant ex-
plot.
For a long time Catfish enjoyed a pros
porous season of fishing. On Saturdays
and sometimes in midweek he stood at the
corner of the courthouse square in Sails
bury and held up q, string of fish.
But while Catfish caught fish during
the week and dangled them on certain
days in public places in Salisbury a fine
worker in black art was planning his
downfall. He was being ''cunjered."
Sometimes DR.. Cotton would not appear
in the Caroway country for a whole year,
and then again at other times he seemed
almost to become a resident of the locali-
ty. He sold a remarkably effective salye,
which contained, as he claimed, "seven
Ingredients" It was a sure cure for corns
and numerous other ailments. If it failed
in any particular to do what he represent
ed, he would obligate himself to give the
purchaser 81, 900. AS no n ever claimed
this forfeit, it was doubtless a good salve.
But DR.. Cotton had other resources be
sides salvc. If opportunity afforded, he
was a water witch. He used in the exer-
else of this giftwhatever variety of growth
was most convenient. He explained that
the sap in the wood had some kind OF
electric affinity to the water. He would
take an apple tree sprout or withe of witch
hazel and firmly grasp the ends, thus
forming q little arch.
Then he would move, slowly ove the
suspected territory, calling attention to
and interpreting in a very favorable way
the severe strain Under which the sprout
seemed to be laboring. When the arch
finally turned downward at the exact spot
where the farmer had announced his in
teEtion Of digging, DR.. Cotton gave a sigh
of relief.
You can see how it is yourself" said
he. 1.-THE magnetism in the sap draws it
right down to the water. It'll draw to
iron the III way an to gold. I've found
a heap o. good mines.
juno Tarpey, who had always been a
sort of leader among the Caroway Pene-
traitors, had lost his influence since his
drubbing at the hands Of Catfish Jones.
The Taylor boy, who had witnessed a part
of the affair from a safe hiding place, told
the story in such a way as to bring June
into common ridicule. Everywhere he
went he was asked something about the
trouble. 1t was of such common remark
that to June it became after awhile I'M
bearable. When the matter reached this
state, DR.. Cotton was on hand with COM
fort and suggestions.
"Ef I was you, June, I wouldn't let no
niger git the best Of me, He might lick
me today, but / would be after him to-
morrow"
'sBut you don't know that Niger. No
body never knowed him. He looks easy
an soft enough, but he'd kill a Teller"
He wouldn't kill me, ] wouldn't Jake
any chances. I'd put a cunjer on him"
You don't think I could cunjer, do
you. docs"
DIR. Cotton gave June q look in which
there was pity and indulgence.