The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-09-04
ZEB'S PET SALMON.
BY VIRGIL q. EATON.

!; dead The immediate cause OF
biz ta1fHe oil was old age, though
much h5ndIing and long journeys
orarlaud .0 the Dead River fish
hatchery jag doubt shortened his days.
7ab's lT.l for Rutherford was of an
rreoniue nd, even in these days OF
cratic a. er0tic affections. The ten
der and Pink steaks, which make most
salmon rret GUS as well as palatable,
were never ia zen into the account when
Zeb mad ae inventory of Rutherford's
assets. 4 M IA that could keep a large
snrinr b. earpr free from frogs and in
sqcts icr years and earn in the same
tine s540 u cold cash was something
urcomm9r even in Maine, where the
natural &C. uPernatural walk hand in
hand. Ituas obvious to everybody who
knew til. .jrcumstances that Zeb priced
Rutherford Il a money winner and con-
fdeato Hpanion, and liked him so
we'll that no opicurean thought crossed
bis mind In 4 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 ayacation, 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, hc took his dip net and went
down toward the bay, hoping to catch
O few smeIts. The second sweep of the
net broarht him in a gilded and YER
milli0n-sr0tted salmon that weighed 19
pounds .;T soaking his net occasional
" in FIRE water he got the fish home
alive. Iii put it into the great boiling
spring back of the house. In few
weeks it bad 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
amemher of the family and no longer
was mentioned as cit"
The pinch of hard times, which was
felt all over Maine in 1876, fell upon
Zeb With the rest. One day when he
vas feeling unusually poor neighbor
asked him why he did not sell Ruther-
lord to the fish hatchery. Zeb could
not endure the thought of parting with
MS fish. Then he received letter from
alawyer asking for immediate payment
on small bill that was long overdue.
That night rutherford was taken in a
tuo to the hatchery and Zeb went home
with S3.9G in his pocket. He was very.
sad all through haying. In August,
When his grass was in the barn, he went
alter berries. In his travels he came to
the great pond where the hatchery fish
are confined. He was picking berries
and whistIing an old tune when he
heard splash in the water. This was
followed by another and another, until
great shining salmon dashed against
Inc beach right at his feet. Zeb knew
at once that it was rutherford. He fed
MS pet With a few berries from his
Eill and went home to pass bad night.
though he fought bravely, the temp
taton was strong, and the next day
rutherford was stolen from the pond
una put back in the spring.
Fortune was kind to Zeb for three
years, but in 1879 fever broke out IN
ms family that took his last cent and
left him in debt. In his straits he again
'ook Rutherford to the hatchery and
onered him for sale. Mr.. Buck looked
Vae fish over, and, turning up the back
y Its dorsal fin, showed tiny bronze
Tag which was attached to Rutherford's
D"ck with a platinum wire.
This fish has been here before" said
MI Mt Buck. There is my tag, No. 625'
wait minute while / book up this
record"
zeb's knees knocked together with
iear While Mr.. Buck went to a book and
read that No. 623 had been purchased on
ouly Il, 1876, and that he weighed 10
pounds at that time. Zeb managed to
s8 nm if the name of the seller was on
'ills book, and when Mr.. Buck said such
.ecorqs were unnecessary his heart
.srned somersaults of gladness inside
VI. VI ms ribs. rutherford had gained con-
ss.ouerably in the time, and now weighed
~ ~ pounds. Zeb got $4.60 for the fish,
i've weight, and received one dollar
tFa as bounty on the tag, and wenp
No, re feeling uncommonly well.
!. II you ever catch him again" said
H.. Buck, land the tag is still on him,
bia ag him here and I'll give you the
as suest market price and another dol
'r e. In bounty"
Va. .ne boiling spring above the barn
H., empty until December. BY this
s lre zeb and his wife grew SO done
ion ,,e That he made another unlawful
tuo lucy to the hatchery pond. For
n years Rutherford was undisturbed.
hs, 9une, 1851, Zeb felt the need of new
b0Sa,g tools so keenly that Mr.. Buck
!. d r snS rutherford again. He weighed
03'|nas, which. az Il. zfs 3 ROUND,