The Worthington advance., 1896-09-10
ZEB'S PET SALMON.
ny VIRGIL q. EATON.

RH VIRGIL u. EATON.
Rutherford, domesticated and very
Intelligent salmon belonging to Zeb
Atkins, of Hot Hole Mountain, Me-,
is dead. The immediate cause Of
his taking off was old age, though
much handling and long journeys
overland to the Dead River fish
hatchery no doubt shortened his days.
Zeb's liking for Rutherford was of an
uncommon kind, even in these days OF
erratic and erotic affections. The ten
der and pink steaks, which make most
salmon precious as we'll as palatable,
were never taken into the account when
Zeb made an inventory of Rutherford's
assets. A fish that could keep large
spring of water free from frogs ond in
sects for 20 years and earn in the same
time $52O6 in cold cash was something
uncommon, even in Maine, where the
natural and euperna tural walk hand In
hand: It was obvious to every body who
knew the circumstances that Zeb priced
Rutherford as a money winner and con-
fidential companion, and liked him so
well that no epicurean thought crossed
his mind. In a case Of live salmon and
regular income against boiled salmon
and green peas zeb espoused the un-
popular side, and Rutherford survived
two decades
Zeb is a farmer, who follows fishing
for ON avocation, preferring the joys OF
the gentle art to anything he can find
around the loafers' bench at the grocery.
Late in May, 1876, when his neighbors
were saving their dollars to go to Phil
iadelphia, he took his dip net and went
down toward the bay, hoping to catch
q few smelts. The second sweep of the
net brought him in a gilded and ver-
'million-spotted salmon that weighed 1s
pounds. BY soaking his net occasional
ly in fresh water he got the fish home
alive. He put it into the great boiling
spring back of the house. In few
weeks it had devoured all the swimming
and creeping things that made their
home in the spring, and began to look
to Zeb for sustenance. BY carrying out
chopped meat and scraps from the table
whenever he went after pail of water,
:Zeb soon tanned the fish so it would
come and take the food from his hands.
When the republican national conven-
ltion met and nominated Gov. Hayes for
president, Zeb named his fish Ruther-
ford in honor of the winning candidate.
After that the salmon was regarded as
q member of the family and no longer
was mentioned as "it."
The pinch of hard times, which was
felt all over Maine in 1876, fell upon
Zeb with the rest. One day when he
was feeling unusually poor q neighbor
asked him, why he did not sell Ruther-
ford to the fish hatchery. Zeb could
not endure the thought of parting with
his fish. Then he received a letter from
q lawyer asking for immediate payment
on a small bill that was long overdue.
That night Rutherford was taken in a
tub to the hatchery and Zeb went home
with 1896 In his pocket He was very
sad all through haying. In August,
when his grass was in the barn, he went
after berries. In his travels he came to
the great pond where the hatchery fish
are confined. He was picking berries
and whistling an old tune when he
heard a splash in the water. This was
followed by another and another, until
a great shining salmon dashed against
the beach right at his feet. Zeb knew
at once that it was Rutherford. He fed
his pet with a few berries from his
pail and went home to pass bad night.
Though he fought bravely, the temp
tation was strong, and the next day
Rutherford was stolen from the pond
and put back in the spring.
Fortune was kind to Zeb for three
years, but in 1879 a fever broke out In
his family that took his last cent and
left him in debt. In his straits he again
took Rutherford to the hatchery and
offered him for sale. Mr.. Buck looked
the fish over, and, turning up the back
of its dorsal fin, showed tiny bronze
tag which was attached to Rutherford's
back with platinum wire:
This fish has been here before" said
Mr.. Buck. "Thcre is my tag, No. 623.
Wait a minute while I look up this
record"
Zeb's knees knocked together with
fear while Mr.. Buck went to book and
read that No. 623 had been purchased on
July 81, 1875, and that he weighed Is
mounds OF that time. Zeb managed to
ask him if the name Of the seller was ON
this book, and when Mr.. Buck said such
records were unnecessary his heart
turned somersaults of gladness inside
of his ribs. Rutherford had gained con-
siderably in the time, and now weighed
c3 pounds. Zeb got s4.6o for the fish,
tive weight and received one dollar
extra as bounty on the tag, and weno
home feeling uncommonly well.
III you ever catch him again" said