The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-11-13
ZEB'S PET SALMON.
BY VIRGIL &. EATON.

rutherford. a domesticated and very
intelligent salmon belonging to Zeh
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 oi
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. \ fish that could keep a large
spring of water free from frogs and in
ScctS for 20 years and earn in the same
time $50. .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 priZed
rutherford as money winner and con
fidential companion. and liked him so
well that no epicurean thought crossed
his mind. In case of live salmon and
regular income against boiled salmon
and green peas Zeb espoused tie un-
popular side, and rutherford survived
two decades.
Zcb Is n 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 nciphbors
were saving their dollars to go tc Phil
u -,
Gown toward the kay, hoping to catch
Il few smelts. The second sweep of thc
yet broIght him in Il gildcd and yer
E:illion-spctted salmon that weighed l.
pounds. BY soaking his net occasional
~ in fresh water he got the fish home
alive. lie put it into the great boiling
spring back of the house. In Il few
weeks it had devoured all the swimming
and creeping things that made thci
home in the spring. and began to lool
10 Zeh for sustenance. by carry ;ng on
chopred meat and scraps from the tabl'
whenever he went after pail of water.
Zcb soon tanned the fish 81 it would
come and take the food from his hands.
When the republican national conven-
tion met ard nominated Gov. Hayes for
president. Zeb named his fish Enthcr-
ford in honor of the winning candidate.
After that the salmon was regarded as
member of the family and no ] lger
wes mentioned rs ''it."
The pinch of hard times, which was
re!. al over Maine in 1876. fell upon
Zeb with the rest. One day when he
vas feeling unusually poor ncighbor
asked him why he did not sell Ruthcr-
ford to the fish hatchery. Zeb could
rot~c ndurc the thought of partin" with
his fish. Then he received Il letter from
Il lawyer asking for Immediate payment
on Il small bill that was long overdue.
That night Rutherford was take" in 4
tub to the hatchery and Zeb went home
with 81 .0G in his pocket. He was very
rad all through baying. In August
when his crass was in the barn. he went
after berries. In his travels he came tc
he great pond where the hatchery fish
are confined. He was picking berries
and whistling an old tune when he
heard splash in the water. This was
followed by another and another, unit
a great shining salmon dashed against
the beach right at his feet. Zeb knew
at once that it was Rutherford. He fec
his pet with a few berries from his
nail and went home tn pass bad night
Though he fought bravely. the temp
tation was strong. and the next day
Rutherford was stolen from the ponc
and put hack in the spring.
Fortune was kind to Zeb for three
| years. but in 1879 fever broke out il
! his family that took his last cent an,
! left him in debt In his straits he again
| took rutherford to the hatchery an6
| offered him for sale. MIR. Buck looke'
the fish over. and. turning up the bacl
of its dorsal fin. showed a tiny bronz
tag which was attached to Rutherford
hack with platinum wire.
This fish has been here before" sal,
SIR Buck. There is my tag, No. CO.
Wait n minute while | hook up thi
record
Zeh's knees knocked togc.her wit
fear while Mr. Buck went to n book an
read that No. 623 had been purchased o
July 81, 1876. and that he weighed ]
rounds at that time. Zeb managed I
ask him if the name of the seller was o
this book. and when Mr.. Buck said sue
records were unnecessary his hear
turned somersaults of g-dness insid
of his ribs. Rutherford had gained col
zidcrabIy in the TING. and now weighe
3 pounds Zeb got S4.6O for the fisi
live weight. ard received one dolla
extra as bounty on the tag, ard wer
home feeling uncommonly well.
.If you ever catch him again, sal
MIR. Buck, s'and the tag is stu ON bin
hiring him here ard I'll give you ii
highest market price and another do
lar in bounty.
The boiling spring above the haI
was empty until December. hs IN
t;n;e Zeb and his wife grew so don
some that he made another uniawf
journey to the hatchery Fonh-
two years rutherford was undisturoe
In June, 1881, Zeb felt the heed OF ne