The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-01-20
BROOK TROUT IN CAPTIVITY
HTS CONQUEST or THE AQIARIUM
 WORLD.
Why tho Black Bass Decided to Live In the Perch-Grnss-Rising for Flies A Victim of fUnrestrained Appetite.

A Victim of fUnrcstrained Appetite.
 We first took him under our protec
 tron through motives of charity. Th'
 city having thrown an arm about th'
 swamp from which issued-the stream
 where he made his home, the Board ol
 Health gave forth a decree to the eff
 feet that tae channel of the little water.
 course be Cleared of all roots, bogs, an6
 other Instructions that the moras'
 might be drained. We knew that the
 destruction of the cover along the creek
 would result in the disappearance of the
 small band of trout that still held forth
 there. in spite of the perches and the
 depredations of the small boys of the
 neighborhood. Therefore, we resolved
 to try and save one, at least of the
 beauties, although fielled with doubts
 as to his survival in the small tank we
 could afford. But the impending dis
 turbance of his habitat determined us
 to make the attempt.
 A party of small boys who were play
 ing near the creek, upon our arrival
 with bait, pail and landing-net in-
 etantly divined out intention. After
 voicing their opinions of the Board of
 Health and it's minions who were
 wreaking devastation along the creek
 below they consented to point out for
 us the haunt of a large trout whose
 cunning had so far proved an ample
 guard against any shallow wiles they
 had been able to bring to bear. Wish
 ing to capture him uninjured, we de-
 cided to feel him out" with our hands.
 His hiding place proved to be in a
 spring under the bank, and, after roll
 ing the water and confusing him bit,
 we found no trouble in lifting him out
 Although this was distinct infraction
 of the game laws we thought the act
 was admissible under the circum- stances.
 Once in the pail he entered vigorous
 protest against being confined in such close quarters, by humping his head
 against the top, sides and bottom to on extent that threatened serious. con sequences. On arriving home, we placed him in the aquarium, where he rushed ainlessly about for time, but finally discovering the shelf of stones that had been built for the rock bass to hide under. he routed these sturdy lighters out after brief battle, and 
 beneath it, but of the entire end of the tank adjoining this retreat The rock bass returned to the attack a number of times thereafter, but never succeed ed in regaining their old nest, being compelled to content themselves in the perch-grass in the opposite corner.
 For some days the trout sulked under the rocks only coming out at night, t. L, ,oI 4, 4I centre where the minnows clustered around the outlet pipe After selecting a victim or two from their number, he retired quickly to his lair.
 On the afternoon of the fourth or fifth day, however, the black bass start ed out to catch a small perch. This nimble youngster in an endeavor to escape, ran among the rocks, and it's pursuer, as is the manner of his kind tried to frighten his prey into coming out by putting against the shelf with his head. his apparently angered the trout, for he issued forth at top speed and ramming the bass amidships, upset him completely, and seized him by the first fin that same handy. His endeav Ors to shake his antagonist were futile, however, as his two pounds of bulk proved unequal to the task of moving the five pounds of the other, but his grip proved painful enough to make the bass give ground and he was soon in full flight around the aquarium, pur- sued by relentless, rainbow hue Neme- sis, who bit and bulied him until he, too, finally retired In disgrace to the | shelter of the perchgrass, where the | trout disdained to follow him. Having l started thus belligerently, the trout fol- lowed up his victory by attacking and each in habitant of the | tank in turn, compelling even the frogs | to take refuge on their raft. He wound | lp at last by eating half-a-dozen min l nows, killed twenty more, apparently | from sheer love of slaughter, and then took up his station in the corner of his | future home nearest the rocks.
 The children, who had witnessed this rakes progress open-mouthed, then and | there unanimously agreed upon a name for the newcomer, calling him ''Mr. Boss.' The right to the title he main- tained as long as he remained with us meeting no opponent able to withstand his wrath, except the bull-heads, who rather seemed to enjoy tussling with nim. He still remained shy retiring to the shadow of his shelf when any one too near, but this feeling gradually wore off under the influence ,f insistent coaxing and the continual of dainties until we 90 gained his confidence that he would take a worm from between our fingers or even ct us rub his speckled sides occasional ". He thus become the most interest ng member of our aquatic family; proving more hardy than most of the ,ther denizens of the tank the popular 'allacy as to the tenderness of trout 70 the contrary notwithstanding. The children were the first to become with him. Early in the on the day after he establish d his premier position among his com- ,anions, the oldest boy toddled out into he kitchen in his night dress, and, { atching a fly, mounted a chair and |; lropped the insect through the bars of he grating that covered the top of the uuarium. He then retired to the it tting room, where he watched develop { nents through the crack of the door. ' MT. Boss soon edged his head out f rom under the shelf, and, attracted by l he nipples the fly made on the surface, ( oiled his eyes up, but made no further : for some time. Sudden t H1rr in org 1 '