Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1888 — A Blind Fisherman. [ARTICLE]

A Blind Fisherman.

Eimund Wihon in St Nicholas. t A little higher up, two barnacles are grown fast to the stem, with their arms spread out in the water. What does he do with the long, hairy arms? If we watch him for a few moments, we see the arms suddenly pulled entirely in—they shut up just as yon close your hand by folding your fingers together. In another instant the arms are put ferth again, and make a grasping or clutching movement in the water, after which they are again withdrawn. So the barnacle goes on, continually grasping in the the water, and, of course, you have guessed what he is doing. Yes, he ifi fishing—he is trying to make a meal of the .microscopic creatures which are swimming about in the water. You see, the barnacle is grown fast at one end to the sea-weed, so that he cannot swim about in pursuit of his tiny prey. He must wait for the unlucky little fellow's to come within his reach. And as he is stone-blind, having no eyes, Tie can not keep watch, so as to throw his net at just the right moment; he has to keep grasping away at hap-hazard, and be content if he makes a catch only now and then. But woe betide the little chrimp or worm that is unwary enough to come with reach! The long arms instantly, close on it; it is dragged down into the terrible jaws, torn to pieces, and eaten. And then the lucky fisher man begins to throw his deadly net again.