The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-02-02
FISH COULD READ
Tale Told by Friend of Publicity
Promoter.
Sturgeon Didn't Mind Being Swimming
Billboard, but Baked at AdVertis-
ing Good Fishing at Summer
Resort.

New York; ami well acquainted
with man who ran a summer hotel
on the banks OF a stream about an
aeronaut's fly from the city, said the
man who writes the vacation guide
book OF certain railroad and who is
noted for his chiyalry in assisting
truth to rise after she has been
crushed to earth
Along early in the summer this
gentleman was attracted by a. large
sturgeon which breakfasted every
moning on the refuse which tioated
away from the hoste!ry. Noting the
ample proportions of this fish, my
friend was struck with a certain idea,
which he proceeded to enlarge upon.
He saw to it personally that a dainty
morsel was set out for the big stur
geon every day. Naturally, the large
fish had friendly feelings toward the
vicinity where he obtained his largess
every day, and it was but a short
while before mine host was almost on
speaking terms with the sturgeon. 1t
was just a step further then to go
out in boat and pace the sturgeon
over course of about a mile, all the
while keeping him near the surface OF
the river. At the end OF each work
out the big sturgeon was rewarded by
something to eat.
The next step in the process of ed
ucation was to rig up a large sign
setting forth the virtue of my friends
summer retreat. This was attached
to light but stout framework made
to fit the back of the sturgeon OBJ
viously, the big fish, being so well
found by the hotel proprietor, was
not averse to taking a few turns up
and down the river, the sign showing
up in great shape above the edge OF
the water, no portion of its propelling
power being visible
First along the sign read: Mum
mer's Summer Retreat-Fine Cuisine.
Boating, and Bathing. But my grasp
ing friend was not satisfied with this.
"One day in early summer CHANGED
to drop into the workshop of the no.
tel and found a painter fixing up a
new sign reading as followst Mum
mer's Summer Retreat-Fine Cuisine,
Boating, Bathing and Fishing.
Immediately, if not sooner than
this sign was moored on to the big
fish startling results followed His
nibs commenced to sulk on the job.
Instead of taking the beaten path up
and down the shore. in plain view OF
the passing trains, the sturgeon
sulked over to one side, found a Sc
cluded spot among the bushes and
stayed there until dark. This went
on for several days
Again chanced to stop at the no.
the strange sulkiness of his sturgeon
publicity bureau I can tell you what's
the matter | said, right off the reel.
It's that amended sign calling atten-
ton to the fishing Naturally a fish
as intelligent as your sturgeon has
shown himself to be is not going to
be around any signs which invite the
destruction OF his brother fish. ad-
mire him all the more for his sturdi-
ness and fealty to his brethren. He
sees his duty and is not found want
ing.
The hotelkeeper saw the light
which set before him and the next
day the old sign was hooked on to the
sturgeon and he was back on the ad-
vertising job with all his old time
strenuosity. continuing untiringly all
summer
Nov, If | didn't know about this
incident personally and vouch for 1t
myself, | wouldn't blame you for
doubling the remarkable intelligence
of a fish that could distinguish the
difference between sign that meant
harm to members of his tribe and one
that did not advertise the fishing. But
it's jest as true as | stand here"
At this juncture the speaker walked
away.