The Washington herald., 1909-08-08

him "Rassy' for short, but that doesn't
matter. One day "Rassy" went down
20 the pond 10 have larks with the pair
of catfish, and II struck him that II
would be a nice little change for both
him and them II he should play horse
with them while. He got some twine,
made a harness. put It on the catfish.
and with pair OF lines 10 guide them
drove them round and round the pond 10
his great amusement and the equally
great delight Of the gentle-mannered fish
The father Of this ingenious lad got
an idea from this line Of sport with the
catfish. He made a strong harness for
each fish. with bride and bit in regular
fashion This intelligent and willing pair
OF Scrubgrass catfish fell in with the idea
from the first time the harness was put
on them. and the bits were put tn their
mouths. They pulled a log around the
pond with great relish Of the fun, and II
was indeed a cheering sight
But my friend Molefetchcrs idea was
OF wider scope than just hauling a log
about the pond. He was only leading up
to what was really in H. lie made him
a light cedar boat, easy running and of
light draft. From the bow Of the boat
he projected an iron rod TO serve as
wagon tongue. so to speak. The pond was
not fitted for the working out Ct his idea
and he transferred his team Of catfish TO
his millpond. Hooking them up to the
boat. Moefetcher got into II. and IN the
presence of his delighted family took up
the reins, chiruped to the catfish and
away they started with him up the pond
at a three-minute gait. Ny friend Mole
fetaher's idea was an unqualified success.
Every day the team of catfish enjoyed
themselves by giving some member OF
the Molefetcher family a spin about The
pond
Scared by a Hawk.
One day my friend Molefetcher was
ridIng along on the pond behind h!s cat
fish team They we're going down the
pond at a nice little jog, when suddenly
a hshhawk. whose eyes must have been
a good deal bigger than his stomach,
pounced down on the team and tried 10
Eft the catfish out OF the harness. This
sudden assault frightened the team and
they ran away. They made a wild dash
toward the dam. Molefetcher held ONO
the reins and tried TO stop them. but it
was no use over they went
The boat was smashed 20 pieces. Mole
fletcher came near being drowned. They
rescued him in time, and down the creek
he tore after the runaway team. The
hawk still had its clutches i'm the off cat
hshs shoulder as they went over the dam.
4 mile down the stream Molefctcher
caught up with the nigh catfish. 1t had
the hawk By the throat. and the hawk
was dead. The Off catfish was overhaUled
half a mile farther along. lie was so
badly crippled that il was plain he would
never be Of any more use IN the team.
In fact, nv friend Molefetcher turned
them both out ia the pond 20 pasture as
they pleased and has never hitched EN-
up since. much 20 the bereavement Of the
Molefetcher family and 10 the lasting dis
appointment of the turned out team
&c Yes said Jefferson Shellenbanker. II
you want 10 make a study OF catfish that
are the real thing. YOU should come with
me over to my native valley Of the his
toric Scrubgrass and look the Molefetchcr
pair over
L became intensely interested in what
Jefferson Shellenbanker said, therefore,
and set a dav for going with him to his
native baliwicll 10 make a study Of the
Molefetcher pair. The night before we
were TO go. Shellenhanker came In from
Lackawack looking distressed. He had re-
ceived a letter from home
"a From my friend Molefetcher,' said he.
Had q fearful thunder storm in The
Scrubgrass Valley. Lightning struck the
iron rod IN Molefetcher's cedar boat
Catfish team lounging near. Killed 'em
both
so I didn't get 70 study the Mole
fletcher pair. and ] was disappointed be-
yond words"