The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-28
ADOPTED FAMILY or MINK.
Mother Followed Young Ones Into krsuse's
River shanty.

WV SN*e@s ~ ~ y
River shanty.
On the west bank Of the Hack ensaok,
near where the White Line trolley cars cross
the river on the way from West Hoboken
to Carlstadt M Paterson, is a little one
story shack, squatting close to tho river
bank. 1t is at the mouth Of q nameless
creek in which q little motor boat and a
dozen fishing skifYs are anchored. The
cabin has only one room, and for eight
months In the year this room 10 occupied
by a little old German who makes his living
by leasing rowboats. selling bait and catch
ing cells.
Krause 10 a middle aged bachelor without
kith or kin In this country and 10 extremely
taciturn about his affairs. His patrons and
friends are nearly all youths Of German
parentage and no talks little else than Ger
man. and that sparingly. but ho has the
faculty Of getting acquainted with birds
and beasts. Wrens and other meadow
birds, including redwing blackbirds. come
every day 10 drink from the rusty tin drip
pan under the wooden spigot OF his rain
barrel, and show no fear OF him. Under
the sloping roof OF his shack . pair Of fly
catchers have built their nest and raised
q brood this summer. The birds have no
fear OF him and merely futter aside when
he moves or hop out Of his way.
Just now Otto has a happy family In
his shack. About O month ago some boys
visited him with a canoe. bringing with
them q lively FOX terrier which got busy
on the meadows as soon as he landed. In
a momeat he was In full chase Of something,
and Krause stepped out to sec what the
row was about followed the dog n
few yards and found two little animals
about as large as full grown rats. Tho dog
was hundreds Of yards away In chase OF
a larger creature.
Otto did not know what the two little
creatures were. but picked them up and
carried them into his cabin, where he placed
them In q starch box on the floor.
Otto soon forgot about his new pets and
busted himself frying GELS for supper. The
sun was sinking over the heights at Ruther-
ford whom his attention was Attracted
| 10 q slight noise at the back door. Turn
ing his head he saw . full grown mink sneak
Ing across the floor toward the box In the
corner. He kept perfectly still and saw
the mother mini slip over the sidc OF the
box and begin TO tondle the young ones.
He stood still with the frying pan In his
hand waiting to see the mother carry o6
her kittens, but nothing Of tho kind occurred.
The mink snuggled down In the box and
seemed to pay no heed to his presence.
Otto cooked his meal and ate IL, giving an
occasional glance toward the box. When
he lit the bracket lamp on the wall the old
mink scampered out Of the box and slid out
Of, the door. Within an hour the old mink
sneaked in. He fully expected to see her
carry on one OF the kittens this time, but
Was again disappointed. When IL came
time to turn In he left tho back door ajar.
To his great surprise In the morning no
found the two youngsters sound asleep In
the o cuddled up in the. rags which he
had provided for a nest. He vent ceiling
after breakfast and returned Just before
noon 70 SEQ tho old mink slink out OF the
door. lie pottered around the boathousa
, for the rest Of the day and tho mother mink
| paid her kittens two visits. After that
relations were established.
The mink now comes and goes as abe
| plcases and the youngsters are growing up.
A hole has been cut In the noor back Of the
boz and the mother and httens make con-
slant use Of To-. The ~youngsters frisk
around On the no6r and climb into otto's
lap to gse kiliies and pieces OF eels and
crabs or shrimp, Of which they are fond.
| Tho old mink ats and watches them, but
Otto has not secured her confidence 90 thai
she will take food from his hand or permit
hin to touch her. She frequently fetches
dsh to tho youngsters and undoubtedly
stays. with them W26GAAA0AashSwS
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