The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-11
A HYPNOTIC Fox.
NE Has Charmed Jersey DOGS, hut Made .
Mtstake When ne Tried n Goat.

"hfhourH N. D., Jan. 1O.-The farmers In
TINS ncighborhood are excited over the reap
pearance, after an absence OF three years. OF n
silver fox that makes periodical visits to various
localities In Atlantic county. Old silver. Al. tho
fox Is called. oxerts q subtle influence over dogs.
ana whenever ho appears In a locality owners of
chefished hounds keep them under lock md
Key until satisfied that the fox has left tho
neighborhood.
Tho fox was seen FIRST by whslon Reed three
weeks ago down on tho Hlghbridge turnpike.
Reed was on his way to Higby's store, which
is also q Post ONCE. 1t was early In the even
ing ana the moon was shining. lie had his
irish setter, Mag. with him. When near
Brokaw's sawmill Reed noticed TINT MAG was
missing. He whistled for the dog. but she did
not come. Reed went back 10 a turn
In the road and whistled again, but
thero was no dog. Ho thought that Mag might
DO nosing around Heesen's NOW lot opposite
the sawmill. and he went up there and looked
over the fence. To his astonishment he saw the
dog sitting on her tail about thirty yards away,
looking into the eyes Of Old Silver. whose nose
was close to hers. IL looked rs II the animals
were holding a silent and confidential confab.
Reed whistled. but Mag paid no attention to
him. Jumping over the fence he made for tho
animals on u run. The fox saw him coming,
and rubbing his nose affectlonately against
that OF the dog. jumped up and went like q
streak OF lightning for the woods on the other
side Of tho lot. Mag sat where the fox left her
as II she had been glued to the spot.
Whom Reed came up and spoke to her she
didn't notice him. She was evidently hypno-
tiled. Reed picked her up and carried her
homo. where she gradually came out Of the
trance. but her owner says she hasn't been the
same dog since.
Whom tho fox was in tho neighborhood Of
| monmouth before ha gof away With Jnahua
Gibson's famous hound. Jen. And he did II
under Gibson's eyes. At tho time 1t was not
known that Old Silver was around. Gibson
went out one morning to see II he couldn't start
up q fox In Larrabee's swamp. Jeff soon found
n track and from the course he took Gibson CAL
culated that the fox was making for Cedar
Knoll. which Is n famous run for game. He
started for the knoll by n short route. expecting
TO head OF the FOX anu be ready to take n shot
at him when he came across the h,ill. lie
count OF the coldncss, Of tho track. lie had
faith in the dogs ability TO bring the fox
tn the Knoll, because Ito had never known
Jeff to be fooled since his hunting days began.
He reached the, knoll and took his stand behind
hour or more for the fox. He had not been
there many minutes when he noticed that Jeff's
Gibson had about decided to go down into the
swamp and ind out IL possible what had be-
the south side OF tho Knoll and there saw jen
and Old silver sitting opposite each other. APP
SSs ecasionai iiS'G sS. fox a w sonilds san his se he.s IN e.
most afrectionate way against that OF the dog.
and now and then he got up and circled round
the hound. who sat as st:if and still as q marble
dog.
Gibson realized at once that Old silver had
SO far awny that Gibson could not shoot tho fox.
and had they been nearer he probably would
The only thing he could do was to break up the
seanee, and, stepping out from behind the rock.
of the hunter. but the dog paid no attention To
him. Gibson started toward the animals. and
J Jes 'o oa! sGl Ss s, Sna M mG "nd ,s aS , ay ssv ia, So tS,
swamp with tho fox. That was the last ever
seen OF Gibson's hound.
Probably the most irving experience that Old
ATTEMPTED to BAN boozle Henry sisson's goat,
Bob. bob Is OF a vicious disposition. and Sisson
keeps him in n two-acro lot back of the house.
One morning. n few days ago. sisson went out
to Bob. and saw old Silver in n distant corner.
evidently trying To hvpnotize the goat. Bob
walking slowly around him. Each animal had
his eyes liked on the ether. and Bob kept his
Sisson decided-the goat was capable Of taking
care OF himself and no leaned on the fence 10
hob, gradually narrowing tho circle. and finally
eat down. Bob dropped on his haunches. and
a. they sat tactnE each o,hes oia silver s,owiy
to reach out and touch noses. Bob shook his
head and wiggied his tail in a way that con-
WINGED Sisson that he wasn't completely under
hypnotic influence. The fox was evidently sat
ish.d with his, Job. for he got up a little nearer
nose, Hobs tail gave another wiggle that reas-
surcd SIsson.
the goat "a couple of times and then sat down
about three feet away with tho evident inten-
comfortably seated when Bob's back jumped.
his heRi. dropped. and he went forward like a
s sss.,. hi ol ae siis s:r'E was t the tss n q s.ap in He as
quickly got on his feet and looked Mt Bob. evil
IDENTIFY a il,tie bit doubtful whether or not he
was only dreaming. His doubt was his misfor-
tune. for once more hob shot through the air
and he planted his head in tie fox,s ribs. Old
was fairly on his feet Bob lifted him again.
The fox had evidently decided that he Ind no
Started for u hole In tho fence. inst as he WAS
crawling through Bob's head struck him In tho
beyond. The fox got up. and taking a quick
glance Mt the goat galloped away among tho
Tive days after his unsuccessful attempt to
pull the wool over the eyes OF SissoD's goat, Old
silver aHpcared In M Mrs T., BoS,e,s front yn.d IN
Hester is Mrs. Baxter's, dearest pet. She is
kept In the house most OF the time. but on warm
days Is permitted to walk around In the yard.
On this particular warm day Mrs. Baxter went
along. 70 her horror she say Old silver seated
beside the dog licking his head. Mrs. Baxter
Ind heard OF the strange influence tina. the fox
exeried over the dogs In the neighborhood and
she had no notion OF surrenderlrg her pet.
Grabbing u broom she stnfJeu across tne yhrG.
shouting az she went. The fox evidently knew
that no was In no serious DANCE: and, standing
over the poodle. faced the woman. Mrs. Baxter
is not lacking In courage and. making up to the
fSI, she hit him a Tha1k across s,n the onGk w Rni
Old Silver was determined to win the poodle
II possible ,sand circlci around the woman.
carefully Keeping beyond reach Of the broom;
Mrs. Baxter picked up the poodle and started
for the house, Old Silver following her. Setting
the dog down on the porch. the woman picked
up some stones that were used as n border
around q flower bed and let ono 90 at the fox.
The first one went wide OF tho mark. but tho
second landed on Old Silver's shoulders and
sent him lin ping out Of the yard. At the gate
he stopped and looked back, hut another stone
from Mrs. Baxter convinced him that he might
better move on, and he moved.
That was the la st seen of Old Silver hereAbouta.