The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-02-06
DOWNFALL OF
THE PET FROG
A Veracious III
Nature Story Il
BY
Edwin J. Webster
Copyright. by w. G. chspmsn.)

trio frog as scientific wonder" said
the old guide in pensive tones to the
party gathered about the camp fire,
that frog to-day might still be the
admiration and delight OF all his ac-
quaintances. BY trying to win money
and bulldogs from Tom Wilson, Eben
came to grief, and the frog to an un-
timely and regretted end. And II was
the expression on the face of Uncle
Sammy Evans which suggested to
Tom the scheme that led to the death
Of the frog.
"Eben always was quite hand for
scientific experiments. One day,
while he was fooling with an electric
battery, he received a shock. The
good man made jump which showed
that even If he was old he was agile.
His interests in science died out for
| thai Sday. He took his fishing rod and
wandered out into the woods. Just as
he was about to seat himself in placid
comfort on the bank of the pond, he
happened to scare a big frog that had
been sitting near. The frog jumped
clear out into the pond, making leap
that was long one, even for an active
and alarmed frog. The long jump of
the frog, combined with his own per-
formance in the same line when he re-
ceived the electric shock, suggested
an idea to Eben.
"'lf frog without any external
stimulus can make jump like that
he said thoughtfully, what could he
do II he came in contact with an elec-
trio battery?> Blamed If don't think
he could establish twentieth century
record in the frog-leaping line
so Eben caught few active young
frogs and began his experiments. He
soon found that under the influence of
an electric shock frog could de un.
looked-for things in both long and
high-distance jumping.
One of the frogs was a good deal bet
ter jumper than the rest Eben let the
other frogs go. and set his ingenuity
to work to try and contrive some plan
whereby he could get the frog to give
jumping exhibition without the ex-
penditure Of so much effort on the
part of Eben Brown.
There's no denying Eben had tai
ents as an electrical and mechanical
expert. First he fixed up tiny cleo
trio battery. Then he made cover
ing for the frogs back-a sort of min
iature frog blanket. He could fix the
battery under the blanket, and, except
that the poor animal looked like
frog with an overcoat, person
wouldn't have noticed anything pc
culiar in the appearance of that frog.
Eben made a little hut for the frog,
putting pieces of rubber under it, Sc
as to insulate it. While the frog was
in the house he wouldn't get any shock
from the battery, but as soon as he
was placed on the ground it made a
connection, and the abused creature
would receive a painful and unpleas
ant surprise.
"Eben fixed the battery so that 1t
would have power enough to give the
| frog three shocks before it was ex-
hausted. Then he placed the frog on
| the ground. or course. the instant the
| frog felt the electric current he
| jumped up in the air. AS soon as he
| touched the ground again 1t reestab-
| lii ID the connection, and up went the
frog. The third jump was the biggest
| of all Then the battery was exhaust
| ed and the frog squatted on the
| ground, evidently In doubt whether to
be irritated at the shocks or lost in
admiration of his own jumping abili-
| ties.
"Eben bought pair Of rubber
gloves, and after charging the battery
he used to carry the frog from place
to place, giving exhibitions of his pets
| talents
"One day Eben, wearing his rubber
| gloves and carrying the frog in his
hands, wandered down to Tom Will
sons tavern Tom had been away,
and hadn't heard of the frog or its
record-breaking jumps.
Eben allowed that the frog could
outjump anything in the state. Tom
seemed sort of sceptical about this
| statement.
| do you care to back up your
opinion with good coin of the realm?
| Tom asked?
| I'm no sure thing bettor,' said
Eben In his dignified manner, but I'm
willing to bet this frog against your
prize bulldog that my pet can make
not one, but three jumps. every one of
them longer than that of any other
frog in the county
| III 1t had been question of one
Jump Tom might have hesitated, but
when Eben asserted his protege could
make three record jumps Tom thought
he had a sure thing. So he hunted
up big bullfrog and brought him
around in front OF the tavern, where
Eben and the rest of the boys were
| standing.
| IF you're ready to lose your pet,
said Tom confident like. take off his
blankets, put him on the ground, and
let him show what he can do?'
"Eben said he didn't want to take
off the blanket, The poor animal