The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-09-10
ZEB'S PET SALMON.


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 well as palatable,
were never taken into the account when
Zeb made an inventory of Rutherford's
assets. A fish that could keep a large
spring of water free from frogs and in
sects for 20 years and earn in the same
time S52.06 in cold cash - ; something
uncommon, even in Maine, where the
natural and supernatural walk hand in
hand. 1t was obvious to everybody 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 I'M
popular side, and Rutherford survived
two decades.
Zeb is a farmer, who follows fishing
for an 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
adelphia, he took his dip net and went
down toward the hay, hoping to catch
a few smelts. The second sweep of the
net brought him in gilded and YER
million-spotted salmon that weighed IS
pounds. BY soaking his net occasional
1y in fresh water he got the fish home
alive. He put it into the great boiling
spring back of ths house. In a 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-
ton 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
a member of the family and no longer
was mentioned as at"
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 a 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
a 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
great shining salmon dashed against
the beach right at his feet. Zeb knew
at once that it was Rutherford. He fed
his pet with 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 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 it's dorsal fin, showed a tiny bronze
tag which was attached to Rutherford's
back with a platinum wire.
"This fish has been here before" said
Mr.. Buck. There is my tag, No. G23.
Wait n minute while l look up this
record"
Zeb's knees knocked together with
fear while Mr.. Buck went to a book and
read that No. G23 had been purchased on
July 81, 1876, and that he weighed is
pounds at 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
20 pounds. Zeb pot S46O for the fish,
live weight, and received one dollar
extra rs bounty on the tag, and went
home feeling uncommonly well.
"If you ever catch him again." said