The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-10-02
ZEB'S PET SALMON.
BY VIRGIL 4. EATON.

Rutherford, a 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.
Zebs 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 large
spring of water free from frogs and in
sects for 90 years and earn In the same
time $52.O6 in cold cash was 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-
fidentinl companion, and liked him so
we'll 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 bay, hoping to catch
a few smelts The second sweep of the
| net brought him in a gilded and ver-
million-spotted salmon that weighed 1a
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 1t 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
O member of the family and no longer
| was mentioned as sit"
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
lawyer asking for immediate payment
| on a small bill that was long overdue
| That night rutherford was taken in
tub to the hatchery and Zeb went home
with $500 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.
IL, - HAlN FSN,. 4 fhp.oo
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 bacl;
of its dorsal fin, showed 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. 623.
Wait q minute while look up this
record"
| Zeb's knees knocked together with
| fear while Mr.. Buck went to a book and
read that No. 623 had been purchased on
July e1, 1870, and tkat 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
e3 pounds. Zeb got s4.6O for the fish,
live weight, and received one dollar
extra as bounty on the tag, and went
home feeling uncommonly well.
| are ,,o,, over catct him aoain - said