Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1891 — Page 6

HERE’S A FISH STORY.

} A TALE RELATED BY WISCONSIN FARMERS. The Great Pickerel of Twin Lakes and How He Was Finally Shotcuted—A Place Where . Very Large Between the Eyes—Fanner Bundy and a Festive Pickerel. Biggest of the Season. Ti e Twin Lakes of Wisconsin lie eighty miles west of Chicago. On the wes; shore of the smaller lake and within a stone’s throw of a field of w i d rice ana wild celery is a ridge, and upon this ridge was the recent home of a camping party. The spot is one where legends grow large between the eyes. .Every night, when the moon was painting a luminous j athway n; on the lake, farmers in hickorv sh rt< and hats that had been drawn to a i eak at tho crown ■would tramp over the ridge and sit dawn by the camp fire and talk about these legends which not only relate to the fish in the lake’ but to the things that fly over the lake. One of the farmers’ stories, according to a writer in America, of the lower lake is associated with a pickerel. And when it is told by the farmers, who have now finished their harvesting, they roll their eyes and expectorate with a vehemence that Is calculated to carry conviction to the mind of every listener. The other legend relates to a mosquito of enormous size and strength, and an insect of fiendish pertinacity when engaged in his business Farmer Bundy carries the pickerel legend back to the time of the war, when he was a boy in the house just over the crest of a yellow s*ubble-field. One winter's night he was spearing fish through the ice, when of a sudden he heard a snort, and then, before he could lift his spear, a pickerel of enormous size seized him by the foot and tore the loose overshoe away. An instant later

TELLING A LEGEND.

the fish darted beneath the ice and was’ not seen again until 1869, as the legend runs, when Farmer Vosburg caught him and landed him in a boat. It was a strong pull, for tho fish, even at that day, weighed as much as Farmer Vosburg’s eldest child. The hook was wrenched from the b'eeding gills, and the sturdy fi-herman was about to hit the fish in the head with an oar, when he suddenly attacked his captor and knocked him into the stern sheets with one swish of his tail. V hen the farmer rounded to, the pickerel was out of the boat and cutting water ten yards away liko the blade of a knife. His dorsal I n. it is now recorded, looked like a sa 1 set bofore a spanking breeze. Troubled not only by his misfortune in losing so great a fish, Farmer Vosburg set up a Cry of dismay when he baheld that his watch and chain were gone. It was an o d fashioned chain, for it encircled his neck an 1 fell in two loops into the ; ocket pf his velvet vest. There was no doubt that this pickerel was tho one Fa: mor Bundy saw six years before, for the overshoe, with its rusty buckle, was finn y wiapped about the middle of the fish This discovery caused much comment in farmers’ households on both • sides of the lake. Everybody was perplexed. It was finally agreed that the pickerel had run his long snout through the opening of the shoe, and then through the loop mace by the buckles and flap. From 1869 until 1874 nothing more was seen of the pickerel. J\ow and then fishermen casting for bass in tho wild celery would, revive the story by reporting the rush of an enormous fish at their hooks and the scraping of a dorsal fin on the keel of their boats. Cnee it was told that a pickerel with a head as long as a sexton’s spade and a body which was fully the length of the rotting posts of the old bridge, had been seen plunging along the surface of the water with a noise that sounded like the exhaust of an engine in a saw mill. One day in 1886 Farmer Mader drove his horse and wagon Into the lake to wash them. He was scrubbing the spokes of the wheels preparatory to going to the annual “trot” at Richmond, when he heard a mightly splash. He threw up his hands in amazement, for before his bulging eyes was the great fish tearing the harness oil the plunging horse. The bridle

TEARING OFF THE HARNESS.

snapped. There was a jingle as the bit was yanked from the jaws of the animal. The cheek-rein parted and followed the glistening buckles and rings as they shot into the water behind the black tin of the fish. Farmer Mader gave the alarm the country round, and within two hours an expedition was formed to capture this mammoth pickerel. But the search, careful and alluring as it was, proved of no avail. Tho story of the great fish of the lower lake was tl e subject of common talk for a month or more, and then it was referred to only when strangers

asked to have ft told to them. There* was something gruesome about the antics of this wonderful pickerel which was always and vaguely referred to as “the-big fish.” It plainly differed from the rest of the fish in the lake. Some persons went so far as to say that he “hollered” on certain nights, and these nights, it *was further claimed, were when the mcon was at its full. It was even sa’d that the great fish was amphibious; that he came to shore from .time to time and walked about on short, squatty legs, and that when he was of

A FINE SHOT.

an observing turn of mind he would rear himself up in the water and sweep the country with a pair of flaming or phosphorescent eyes. Ono day in 1889 a party of Rockford men, camping at Hickory Point, were using a hoopskirt wrapped in,mosquito netting in catching m nnows in the shallow channel which connects the two lakes, when they felt a vicious tug and then their contrivance darted from their grasp and was not seen again. Of course, “the big fish” was held responsible for this theft, as also for the loss of a leathern band and a brass bell which had been ruthlessly torn from a cow as she was'drinking water from the lake.

During the fall of 1890 fishermen on the lower lake reported having heard strange noises in and above the water, sometimes like tho muffled tolling of a bell and then again like the upsetting ot a panful of silverware. One man, who was on the lake at night, said the noises ho heard sounded like a charivari. The source of all these sounds was a mystery. Finally Farmer Vosburg, who knows mor? about the lake than anybody, made up his mind to discover the cause of the disturbance. Ono evening when the air was still he put out in a boat with a shotgun. His cruise lay along the west shore. Ho had been out but an hour when ho heard a splash, the clang of a bell and the tintinnabulation of other metallic substances. He knew he was in the wake of “tho big fish,” for no other fish could compare with tho monster ahead of him. Putting all his strength to his oars Farmer Vosburg mado chase. Of a sudden “the big fish” raised again, and for the second time the bell rang distinctly and, there camo the same metallic jingle Farmer Vosburg is a fine shot. He can shoot the heads off chickens at 200 yards. When ho fired at “tho big fish” there was a grunt which was almost human and blood began to stain tho waters. “Tho big fish” had been killed. His head was in shnds and his white belly was turned up to the rising moon. Farmer Vosburg hauled the monster into tho boat. If ho had doubted tho identity of the fish, that doubt was dispelled when he beheld Farmer Bundy’s overshoe still about tho middle of the leviathan. Then, too, tho fish was firmly entangled in the hoopskirt net of tho Rockford encampment, while from gills to tall he was girdled with tho straps of Farmer Mader’s harness Around the dorsal fin and belly was the leathern band and brass

THE BIG PICKEREL.

bell; but stranger than all to the gaping farmer was the discovery of his watch in a sort of pocket in tho side of the fish which, doubtless, was cut with a spear years and years ago. The timepiece was intact. Even the crystal had not been shattered. The watch had stopped at 1:03. That was tho price at which Farmer Vosburg had sold his wheat three days before

Energy of Sunshine.

“All the energy In the world,” said Dr. C. F. Chandler in a recent lecture before the Columbus School of Mines, “comes from sunshine. Even the energy in the electric battery that rings the doorbells of our homes has its origin in the light of the great solar system. The force in the copper wire that sets the bell to ringing comes from the zinc plate in the battery jar. the energy in the zinc plate comes rom .the anthracite coal with which it was burned when taken from the mines; and, finally, the energy in the anthracite coal was put there by the sunlight that fed and nourished It ’when it existed, ages ago, as trees and plants. An Interesting misapprphenslon that exists in the minds of' a good many persons is concerning' the vital dangers that lurk in the pressure of, say, a thousand volts. The newspapers often tell us that a man has been killed from such a pressure, whereas, in fact, such a pressure alone could not kill a humming bird. I have frequently caught in my hand sparks possessing an elec-tro-motive power of 100,000 volts without feeling more than a very slight burn. The danger arises only when the volts are- reinforced by a good many amperes or currents, and when one takes hold of a charged wire. Then one feels a shock that is unmistakable, because the force of a great many currents in the wire suddenly decomposes all the fluids in his body. The salt in the blood at once turq| to chlorine gas, and the man whose veins are charged with this deadly polson cannot in reason be expected to live.” ’ ' ’ Tor will seldom see .a married man whoiuwn’tgotit'“ni’'for some particulax, member of his wife’s family. fa’ t , ‘ ,

THE ART OF THE SWIMMER.

Instructions for Atygulriftg Skill 'wnich Is Both Useful and Pleasurable. Nine out of ten persons who teach themselves to swim do not swim properly, says the New York Telegram. To swim correctly does not necessarily mean to keep afloat for a long time or even to cover , a long distance in rea-. son ably fast time. It means the art of making the different parts of the body perform their woik perfectly with the use of the least strength and at the same time contribute to the ease of the swimmer. The first thing a beginner must learn is to overcome his fear of the water. Unless he has perfect confidence in himself he will never learn a stroke. Usually bqys evince this weekness when they begin, but they soon get out of it. The first lesson in swimming is the movement of the feet. Usually tanks have a bar fastened to one of the sides and level with the surface of the water. Grasp this bar so as to hold the head above the water and go through the motions of a perfect kick, such as is used in the breast stroke. Do this until you have it perfect and then the first lesson is over. The second lesson is the stroke. Walk toward the center of the tauk until the water reaches the shoulders. I Then turn and face the steps and put the hands in proper form for a stroke. This is the proper form: The hands should be outstretched, palms downward, and the fingers close together and the two thumbs touching each other. Then go through the motions of a perfect stroke. When one feels confident that he can use his feet and his hands together, while standing in the above position be must take a long breath and attempt to swim toward the

BREAST STROKE.

steps. This is the most difficult feat to learn, and until it is fully mastered no other movement should be attempted. After reaching the steps go back and do it a gain and again until you feel confident enough to plunge into the deepest part of the tank. After this the novice can gradually go out deeper until the depth is greater than his height, and soon he will find himself able to navigate any part of the tank.

The most important stroke in swimming is the breast stroke. "When the swimmer places his hands in the position described above, he inflates his chest and springs forward, striking out at the same time. Both arms and legs should be used at the same time. While the arms are striking out the legs should be pushed down. As the arms come back to the recover, the legs are drawn back into place in the next stroke. All the speed gained from the kick does not come from pushing the water with the feet. The most of it is derived from bringing the legs quickly together very near the end of the kick at the point where they are .stretched farthest apart. The management, of the breath is another important thing. Always breathe wheu you are beginning to i ecover wiih your arms, so that the body can have the greatest buoyancy at the time it needs it most. To swim on the back is very easily learned. When in deep water roll over on your hack and stretch out the legs and drop them a little lower than the body. Keep the hands close to the side; then paddle-with them in a rotary fashion from the wrist. Keep the lungs filled with air and you will find swimming on the back more comfortable than when lying on the stomach. The fastest stroke in swimming on the back is called the overhand stroke.

SWIMMING ON THE BACK.

The kneei are raised slightly, and in kicking down, first with the right and then with the left, you drive the water sway from you with"the sole of the foot as the leg goes down, and with the top of the foot as it comes up. While the feet are paddling in this manner, the arms are thrown alternately out of the water over the head, sweeping the water back on the recover, and under the water with great force. Now for floating. The best way to learn bow to float is to catch each foot 6y the toes with the hands, lie on the back, and swing the feet outward, throwing the head well back. Be careful always to fill the lungs with air before executing these movements Breathe quickly while floating, and do not exhaust the lungs, for when they are empty the body immediately sinks. After this has been tried,.* number of times, det the feet go, stretch them out straight, extending the arms above the bead so that the toes, face, and fingers

are above water, and then you will find the position very easy. In treading water * hold the hands above the surface and step up and down, first with one and then-with the other foot, taking care to point the toes downward when raising the foot, and by bending the ankle step down flatfooted. so that in raising the foot the body is not dragged down, and in stepping down the body is raised up. As soon as one has learned the breast

DIVING “SHALLOW.”

stroke he should learn the dive. The' best way to learn is by squatting on the edge of the water, with elbows resting on the knees and the hands drawn up, as they are in preparing for the breast stroke. Then plunge into the water, taking eare not to open the eyes untij the head and part of the body are under the water. There are many ways of diving, but the straightforward plunge is the simplest and the best. In diving in shallow water it is the safest to squat and make a plunge, strike the surface flatland glide out into deep wate& •Shimming under water is very easily Earned. When at a proper distance below the surface strike out, using thebreast stroke, taking care to bring the arms back straight. To come up make a downward stroke with the arms and that will bring the body to the surface.

CRIES FOR HIS BACCY.

A Chicago 2-year-bld Who HM a Passion ftrr Smoking. Leonard . Turner, a 2-year-pld Chicago babe, smokes a pipe/and Cigars. Little “Lenne,” his pet name runs, is a great smoker. ‘ When but a few months old he was taught to smoke tobacco in an ordinary day pipe. Now he cries for It. He is a pretty child, with even, Tegular features, big, bright, black eyes, and very dark hair. His complexion is clear and a healthy glow runs over his features. He wears a neat little red and white striped dress, black stockings, new shoes, and evidently has been well cared for. He is the picture of health, is very lively, constantly laughing, and would make a nice picture for dainty advertising novelties. His pipe was held up to his view. He at once began laughing, crowing and clapping his hands and toddled •across the room, reaching for that pipe. It was handed him. He poked the stem between his red lips, jammed his chubby Angers down into the bowl, and looked longingly at the one who had handed him the pipe as if to say, “Fill it up and light it for me.” He can’t light the pipe, though he makes a fair stagger at filling it. Though he has not all his teeth yet, he can hold the pipe in place without touching his hand to it. Still, his favorite methods of smok-

ing are two—“the quiet smoke” and the “gad-about smoke/ as the neighbors have termed* them. For the former he sits flat on the floor with his fat little legs pushed out ahead of him, holds the pipe with his right hand, and puffs industriously until it is well a-going, then takes the pipe from his mouth and watches the smoke curl away, while a very sober and meditative look rests upon his face. His appearance then is droll and comical. He looks as if thinking of some great problem in finance or politics. In his “gad-about” smoke, as soon as he gets a light he struts across the floor on his insecure legs, filling the air with wreaths of smoke and stopping frequently to laugh, throw the burning tobacco about him,* and crow at the disturbance it causes. He will cry and fight when the pipe Is taken from him and laugh merrily when it is retmrned. He has frequently smoked two pipes of tobacco and a cigar a day. He prefers the pipe to a cigar. His own pipe, which he has been using for several months, is colored from service and has an inch of stem broken off.

Bishop Wilbebforce once came near goirfg on strike himself, and by a threat of so doing he carried a point. Entering a crowded church in which he was to preach, one day, he escorted inside a lady whom he met at the door but who complained that there was no room. To his order to the beadle to find her a seat, that functionary replied that it was impossible. Thereupon the Bishop declared: “Oh, if you don’t, I won’t preach!” A luxurious empty pew was quickly discovered. Cabolus Duban likes to load his fingers with rings and to wear handsome silk linings to his coats. He excels in riding, guitar-playing, and fencing. He is popular on the boulevard*, and everybody in Paris knows him-

Swordfish and Shark.

" What strange thing has eona athwart my hawse in the last dozer years?” mused Capt. Carnes of the brig Mary, as he shifted his quid. “Well, I might tell you of a bit of ad venture that happened to my vessel one day among the Windward Island! of the Caribbean Sea. We were just to the east of the group, and about fifteen miles away, when there came i dead calm. The sea was like a mill pond, and the sun beat down like a ball of fiye. One of the men, who wai aloft for something, discovered a large shark prowling around the brig, and 1 gave the men permission to bait foi him. They baited the hook and tempted him, but he would not ever smell of the pork. He was a straightout man-eater, and he wanted sailor 01 nothing. He made two or, three circuits about the vessel, his dorsal fin showing above the water, and he then settled down off our port quarter, about twenty feet away,, and kept his eyes fastened on the heads of the men above the railing,

“Well, sir, there was something sc aggravating in that shark settling down there, as if determined to stay until some, of us tumbled overboard, that we made up our minds to drive him away after some fashion. We had a harpoon aboard, and one of the men used it to give the fish several bad gashes, but after each wound he'd make a circuit and come back to the old spot. You may rip a shark from stem to stern, and he won’t seem to mind the hurt. By and by the men got so hot that they asked leave to man the boat and either kill the grim devil or drive him away. I consented, and a sailor named Williams scrambled into the yawl as she swung at the davits to cast off when she was down. The falls had scarcely been manned when one of them parted, and the boat dropped stern down. The sailor was pitched ten feet away, and as he struck the water there was a yell from every man on the brig. He pitched right at the shark, and we expected to see him grabbed up in a second. Indeed, we all saw the fish whirl and make a rush, and as the sailor swam alongside and seized a rope a terrible combat began in the water. We knew that one of the fighters was the shark, but it was minutes before we made out that the other was a swordfish.

“I calculate that rumpus lasted all of fifteen minutes. They fought on the surface and under it, they circled and came back, they went under the brig and around her, and the sea was ohurned to perfect foam all the time. The affair finally ended by the shark turning belly up, as dead as a hammer, and I guess there wasn’t a foot of him which hadn’t felt a thrust of the ■word. He bled like a stuck hog, and was only fairly dead when the swordfish took a run for the brig. He backed off about fifty feet, and came full tilt, and, as true as I’m sitting here, he made her shiver as he struck. That sword of his struck good oak Elank, sheathed with copper, but nothig stopped it until it showed for six Inches in the hold. We saw him as he backed off, and knew that he had lost his weapon. It was a terrible hurt, and when a breeze sprang up and filled our sails he was still floundering around the shark’s body, seeming to have lost his compass points altogether. “On the way down to Trinidad the brig made considerable water, and when we came to unload her cargo we found the sWord sticking into her as I have told you. A portion of it was afterward carried to Boston, and is probably there yet. ”

He Was Absent-Minded.

A young lady entered a car on tl\e New York and New England Road, at One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street, yesterday, and walked up to the only vacant seat beside a gentleman who was intently reading a letter. “Engaged, sir?” she asked. “Just missed it. She writes that the is a sister of mine now,” answered the gentleman, absent-mindedly, without looking up. “I—l beg your pardon,” stammered the confused young lady, “but may I—?” “Never again for me,” interrupted f-he excited gentleman. The young lady, fearing that she might have a lunatic for a neighbor if she took the seat, turned her back, intending to go into another car at the next stop. Meanwhile the gentleman had finished his letter and taken his bearings. Noticing‘the lady standing while there was a seat vacant next to his, he politely notified her of the fact After some hesitation she blushingly accepted. Then, he having fully recovered his composure, what had just occurred gradually dawned upon him, and he felt it incumbent upon himself to offer the young lady an apology, which she received so graciously that explanations of a more confidential nature soon followed, and when I left the train at Brewster’s they were on a fair way to become brother and sister, if nothing better, he having apparently forgotten his previous expressed resolution—“ Never again for me.”—New York Herald.

Solicited Aid of Uncle Sam.

Ricardo L. Trumbull, who labored so hard to influence the authorities at Washington to renounce their neu-

RICHARDO L. TRUMBULL.

Yale Law School. He took sides against Balmaceda In his unconstitutional manner of controlling the election of his successor and had all his effects confiscated, he himself escaping in disguise to Iquique. He is an able writer and orator, and has made a favorable impression in many parts of the country where he has visited,

trality and recognize the Congressional party in their contest against the deposed tyrant, Balmaceda, is the son of an American 'who settled in Chili. He received his education in Yale ’University arrd graduated from the

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