y V<2 /. MAGINB a great, fat I slimy something poked out of the water into your face, quickly fol lowed by another slimy something and then <nQ another and another; jifoi each endeavoring to secure an option on a EfSffiJ Wl different portion of WL fragl your anatomy, and you have one of the vari ous Joys of fishing for II the devil fish. But along the Amer ican coast of the Gulf of Mexico there are lots and lots of men who eke out their livings doing Just this thing. For the man who doesn't have to fish for the devil-fish, It's fun, but to the man or crews of men who do it for their daily bread; well, they content themselves with a Blngle catch a day. Aristotle of old is recorded in his tory as the first writer on the sub ject of devil-fishing, but as he was exceedingly fond of Mr. Aristotle's health he left lots unsaid because lie Sidn't investigate. Every Gulf of Mexico sailor who fishes for this creature carries a hatchet close by, for that is the only means of getting away from the fish's tentacles —simply cutting them off as they are about to grasp the intended victim. In the gulf the devil-fish is har pooned and seldom after one of these great prongs has been imbedded in the body of the victim are the fisher men able to land their quarry within two hours. Usually it takes from »hree to four houre of good, hard mus r-le-grinding work and then lots of times the crew of the hunting craft must cut the cable and lose the har poon simply because the brute fights 100 hard to allow the occupation to be carried on safely. It is little wonder that one fish a day of this variety is considered sufficient. Many wild, weird tales are told of the devil-fish. One class of stories deals with the creature's addiction to towing ocean-going steamers out of their courses. So strong is the deep sea monster that captains of vessels have been known to wonder what was carrying them to windward, and upon investigation find that a devil-fish or cuttle fish was trying to bite off a corner of the rudder. Numerous cases of the fish attempting and suc ceeding in towing ten-ton sloops for miles have been recorded in the annals of the industry. The devil-fishers always are compelled to put up a hot fight against this animal of the sea. The intend ed quarry will pull them far out of their course after the first harpoon has stung his hide and it takes two and sometimes three of them be fore the catch can be brought close enough to the sloop to allow the gunner to place a shot in a vital spot. The fish must be continually worried or it will descend to the bottom to rest, in which case it usually takes the boat, crew and apparatus with it. A story is told of a boat crew which had not had a devil-fish strike for two days until finally the harpoon expert on the bowsprit imbedded his instrument of torture within the vitals of one of the monsters. The creature, of course, went through the formality of turning the water there abouts into a delicate black, this being one of the traits of the species when attacked. This done the devil-fish started for home, which was the bot tom of the gulf. The harpoon expert hated to let go, on account of strikes being few and the boat, crew and harpoonist also began the descent in inky darkness. The craft being provided with air tanks at each end, the harpooned had somo job on his hands, and when down in the sea about 20 feet, as near as the mariners could figure, the eight-armed namesake of the American trust gingerly climbed into the boat with the men who were seeking his life-blood. It being dark the fishermen did not perceive his presence. Once more at the surface, however, and there was a miniature fire panic. Regaining his pres ence of mind, however, the harpoonist put an out drop on his second throw and put an end to the pranks of the fish. That tale has been called "just a fish story," but there are three deep sea fishermen to-day who vouch for the truth of a portion of it and they still ply that trade on the coast of the gulf. But now when the devil-fish starts for home, tliey let him go. The manta, as the creature is called by sci ence, is to be found as far north on the Atlantic coast as the Carolinas and in those waters some of the largest of this class of sea creatures have been seen. One caught on the Atlantic coast several years ago required three yoke of oxen to dra?" it from the sea and its weight was estimated at fo>«r tons. Usually the devil-fish measures from 20 to 25 feet across its back when full grown and one mariner on the Pacific coast reported that he had estimated one to be 40 feet, which eye measure ment, of course, is within the realm of possibility. The creature has two well defined plans of de- fense, and thus the Al mighty has endowed the species with more than the ordinary powers, for usually fish, beast or bird of the air has only one natural mode of pro tection. The cuttlefish, however, can cast from its tissues an inky sub stance known as "se pia," which turns the water in its vicinity an Impenetrable black and allows escape. Combined with this there is the set of eight tentacles, which possess grips of iron and are lined under neath with "suckers," which, when in working order, form a vacuum over the object grasped and thus insure a firm hold. So firm is this grasp that story tellers of sever al decades ago were fond of dropping the treas ure-hunting hero into the hold of the sunken galleon and there bump him up against the "ter rible devil-fish which had thwarted all human wiles and for umpty hundred years been the guardian of the don's loot." The hero always won and captured the coin, being dragged to the surface unconscious. There have been one or two cases where the cuttlefish has made its home within the cabins cf sunken ships. In one case in particular off (he northern coast of South America it is told that a devil-fish killed three divers who descend ed to lay plans for raising the ship. As each man was brought to the surface dead from a cause which none of his mates could guess, an other was sent to take his place. Finally the trouble was suspected and the last man sent down gave explicit instructions about being brought to the surface upon the faintest tug at the guide line. After numerous trips up and back he succeeded in dislodging the creature by cutting off its arms one by one. Deprived of its arms, it fled and no further trouble was ex perienced. Perhaps the most uncanny sight which ever befalls the devil-fish hunters is when, on a clear day, the denizens of the deep may be seen on the bottom walking along with the aid of their tentacles, which are used as feet. On land, it is recorded, this is a physical impossibility, for the flsh, but buoyed up by the water of many fath oms, it's easy. Though absolutely the most dangerous of crea tures of the sea, it is said the devil-fish displays greater fear of human attack than any of the other species. The first move when assailed, is to try to grab the hunters with two or more of the long arms that stretch out as occasion de mands. Failing in this the fish will attempt to get away under cover of the inky "sepia," but when caught with the harpoon and it finds there is no apparent escape the real tug of war com mences and the struggles are never ended until the quarry ceases quivering in death. Then the cables which hold the harpoons are lashed to the stern of the craft and the sailors turn the ves sel's nose towards home, the most welcome part of the voyage. Study the habits and origin of the cuttlefish is one of the most interesting which any scien tist ever attempted. The fish are propagated by means of eggs. The tiny creature at first has only one tentacle, which, when it grows older, gradually divides into two and then into four CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1909. and after a year or so into eight small arms. These grow larger and stronger as the age of the fish in creases. Some adult specimens have been caught, the tentacles of which were over 20 feet in length. Jets of water squirted by means of fins "con stitute the method of locomotion of the cuttlefish. The devil-fish's choicest occupation is that of feeding upon shoals of smaller members of the finny tribe and when interrupted in this pursuit he effect is terrifying. The great creature will toss several of its ten tacles to the surface, still continuing to feed with the rest of them; and if this blurt fails to scare the intruder away, the devil-fish will come to the surface personally to see about it. While next to human beings, sharks are the greatest enemies of the cuttlefish, the scavengers of the sea are just about as frightened by the tentacled monsters as the latter are by the sharks. Mariners have often told of the battles which they have seen in clear water between these warriors of the briny deep, but accounts telling of the victors are scarce. Along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico the sharks show their delight at the plight of the devil-fish when caught by following in its bloody wake and with wide-open jaws, seeking a bite here or there from the carcass. At night along the coast they fight in the water for the opportunity to consume the dead devil-fish after the fishermen have fin ished with him. All in all devil-fishing is the most thrilling, most hazardous, most entrancing method of angling which has ever been discovered, for {lie creature is doubtless the craftiest of the inhabitants of the tropical waters. And the man who goes after the scalp of the devil-fish while he is not arm»d with modern accoutrements is taking his own life in his hand. The plain hardware store hatchet with the short handle is declared to be tho best weapon of defense in close quarters and dozens of lives have been saved simply because the parties at tacked were equipped with hatchets and knew how, when and where to use them upon the an atomy of the dangerous fish. UNCLE SAM SEEKS STAMP VENDER. Will the time ever come when Uncle Sam can dispense with letter carriers? The increasing use of the automobile, the pneumatic tube and me chanical devices in the postal service would indi cate that eventually some method of delivering mall will be found which will, in a large measure, do away with the present system of distribution. The postofllce department has an annual appro priation which is used to experiment with mechan ical devices, and every year the officials are called upon to investigate the practicability and utility of inventions. There have been hundreds of differ ent styles of mail boxes submitted, and there is no end of devices designed for picking up mail bags by fast-moving express trains. There is no doubt, so experts say, that the stamp-fixing ma chine will come into general use, and they are equally certain that the government will adopt slot machines for the automatic sale of postage stamps, as Germany and numerous other foreign countries have. The department has made am offi cial trial of such machines. A little more than a year ago the postmaster general appointed a special committee of officials to make a thorough Investigation of the stamp vending machines. Washington is now having its extended public demonstration of these machines, and other cities also will have a chance to try them for a long period under the direct supervi sion of the postofllce authorities. When the postmaster general decided to make experiments with stamp-selling machines, he In vited ail persons with inventive tendencies to sub mit models. He did not confine the invitation to America. The result was that, some 75 machines were offered for experiment, and the postofflce committee had a long and tedious task in selecting those that appeared to bo practical. After much investigation the committee selected a half-dozen machines for further test. To the owners or inventors of these six makes was given the opportunity to make public tests of the ven dors under the direction of the department, but at their own expense. Finally three different models were picked out for an extended public test at government expense. Two of these macnines are foreign inventions one a German machine and the otb*tf the iuveutior of an Australian. COMFORTING. Doctor—Most —er —fortunate you consulted mo. I'm just the very man to —er —cure —you. Patient —Ah, that's lucky! You are quite familiar with my complaint, then? Doctor —Familiar? My dear sir, I've had it myself—er—thia 20 years! Eyes Are Relieved By Murine when Irritated by Chalk Dust and Eye Strain, incident to the average School Room. A recent Census of New York City reveals the fact that in that City alone J7,itUß School Children needed Eye Care. Why not try Murine Eye Remedy for Red, Weak, Weary, Watery Eyes, Granulation, Pink Eye and Eye Strain? Murine Doesn't Smart: Soothes Eye Pain. Is Compounded by Experienced Physi cians; Contains no Injurious or Prohibit ed Drugs. Try Murine for Your Eye Troubles; You Will Like Murine. Try It in Baby's Eyes for Scaly Eyelids. Drug gists Sell Murine at 50c. The Murine Eyo Remedy Co., Chicago, Will Send You In teresting Eye Books Free. Grievous Offense. "No, sir," said Plodding Pete; "I would not stop another minute to talk to dem folks. Dey passed me out a short an' ugly word." "What was it?" "Work." A Rare Good Thing. "Am using ALLEN'S FOOT-EASE, and can truly say I would not have been with out it so long, had I known the relief it would give my aching feet. I think it a rare good thing for anyone having sore or tired feet.—Mrs. Matilda Hollwert, Providence. K. I." Sold by all Druggists, 25c. Ask to-day. The Sorrow of It. Scribbles —Jingleton's latest poem is certainly rhythmic and beautiful. Criticus —Yos; it's too bad it doesn't mean anything. Kill the Flies Now before they multiply. A DAISY FLY KILLER kills thousands. Lasts the sea son. Ask your dealer, or send 20c to H. iSomers, 149 De Kalb Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Respect for the past Is not bigotry, and we are to beware of the danger of changing too much, as well as that of not changing at all.—Sydney Smith. Pain and swelling seldom indicate in ternal organic trouble. They are usually the result of local cold or inflammation which can lie quickly removed by a little llamlins Wizard Oil. Try and see. The average life of a dog is from tea to twelve years. SICK HEADACHE - *.Z"~I Positively cured by CARTERS BBBtej They also relieve Dis* |s®Jg IXTIF tress from Dyspepsia, In bUT Q»#r~P% digestion and Too Hearty B-fl | uy 8* Eating. A perfect rem ffS &' I C r '' 1-V for Dizziness, Nau k'B *■!« Ji sea, Drowsiness, Bad ■ Mill KB Taste iu the Month, Coat ed Tongue, Pain in the I Side, TOII PID I.IVER. Ihey regulate the Bowels. Purely Vegetable. SMALL PILL. SMALL DOSE. SMALL PRICE. Genuine Must Bear liAKi L'rvo Fac-Simile Signature WITTLE - * 112e R REFUSE SUBSTITUTES. "A Little Cold is a Dangerous Thing" and often leads to hasty disease and death when neglected. There are many ways to treat a cold, but there is only one right way —use the right remedy. DR.D.JAYNE'S EXPECTORANT is the surest and safest remedy known, for Coughs, Croup, Bronchitis, Whooping Cough, Asthma, Pleurisy. It cures when other remedies fail. Do something for your cold in time, you know what delay means, you know the remedy, too —Dr. D. Jayne's Expectorant. Bottles in three size t, sl, 50c, 25c M/ya ■Rftt Hj HH H HHH A flavoring that 1 k nsoil tno s.imc as iomon bwß H B 81l or vanilla. By dissolving granulated sugar fcjftjfi BhW Sj HUg BaW M in water and adding Mapleine, a delicious j@£®* fIS SB nM Eg Sf«B B" syrup is made and a syrup better tlian maple. Jjfegft B H_ B M S9W Maplelno Is sold by grocers. If not send 36c for WStsifc B8 Efi£9 iSh EH IB VHi 2oz. bot. and reclpo book. Crcsceut Co., Seutito. fnrr I 0 "Beauties of Friendship" Souvenir Post Cards rSPfefPr* The most beautiful au<l grandest set of Post Cards Kktsß HjX»a^aa ® 3 Bj 2 two-eent stamps to help pay postage. Returned if I KjWi JR || I BLL heard of. Simmons Pub. Co., 500, Springfield, Ohio. I ■ BtLißai Tfcl -9 is here—Distemper among tfce rlanting srsjrCM«S: may take some of them —corn planting may be late if your horses 112 / ( w \ \ have Distemper. Igfe fcj m SPOHN'S DISTEMPER CURE X > s your true safeguard—a cure as well as preventive—-50c and 91.00 \4fpHf.Q smaller size. Don't put it off. Get it. Druggists—or Bend to manufacturers. Spobn Medical Co., Chemists and Bacteriologists, Goshea, Ind., (j.S.A# EWvx^Sewva ae\s \f& \> TOW \% gwWc c\eanses \\vg sy s\em &JJcc\uo^; ass\s\s \\abv\wQ\ cousXx^Qivow . To OeU\s bewcJvcixaV ejjecis,always bu\/ t\v& Oevuwwe, ® riANUrACTURCTD BV THE CALIFORNIA Fig Syrup Co. SOLD BY LEADING DRUGGISTS 50' A BOTTLE 45 to 50 Bu. of Wheat Per Acre have been grown on fawn lands in WESTEHNCfINfiPfI SpWT satisfactory. 1 lie gen- W/lijFVKl* A era! average is above twenty bushels. 1M IP* M "Allare loud in their ™ /* praises ot the great crops and that won derful count. HT~ tract from correspondence Nation* I Editorial Association of August, IfOS. It is now possible to secure a homestead of 160 acres free and another 160 acres at $3.00 per acre. Hundreds have paid the cost of their farms (ii purchased) and then had a balance of from $ 10.00 to $12.00 per acre from one crop. Wheat, barley, oats, flax — all do well. Mixed farming is a great success and dairying is highly profitable. Excel, lent climate, splendid schools and churches, rail ways bring most every district within easy reach of market. Railway and land companies have lands for sale at low prices and on easy terms. "Last Best West" pamphlets and maps sent free. For these and information as to how to secure lowest railway rates, apply to Superintendent of Immigration, Ottawa, Canada, or the authorized Canadian Govern ment Agent: H. M. WILLIAMS. ~~ Law Building, Toledo. Ohio, s / 3OO^H^'S Reason I Make an d Sell M re Men's s3.Of * and and $3.50 Shoes Than Any Other Manufacturer | 5 00 is because I Kive the wearer the benefit of the Shoeß. moat complete organization oftrained ex . pert® and skilled shoemakers inthe country. * The selection of the leathers for each part of th* £ 0 ® shoe, and every detail of the making in every Shoes department, is looked after by the best shoe makers in the shoe industry. If I could show Boys' you how carefully W.L.Douglas shoes aremade, | Shoes ytu would then understand why they hold SI.OO their shape, lit better, and wear longer than to any other make. $3.00 My Method of Tunning the Rnlet makes them More n —1 Flexible and Longer Wearing thnn any other*. Shoes for Kvery Member of tlie Family, Men, Hoy ft. Women, Misses and Children. For sale by shoo dealers everywhere. PAIITiniIV >'"no genuine without W. 1,. Douglav wHU I lUHs nanio aiul price Btmnpiil on bottom, taut I'olor K.relets UNfd eiclunhely. tatiilnirup >1 ■ LI«• <I Free. W. L. I)OI'(iLAS. IG7 SPAIiK STKKET, U HOC ETON, MASS. Trade-mark Eliminates All or y° ur ° wn protection, see *' ia ' ' s on l ' le s ' ( '" every keg of white lead /Cjß y NATIONAL LEAD COMPANY VSr 1162 Trinity Building. Hew York Bad Breath ' 'For months I had great trouble with uiy stomach and used all kinds of medicines. My tongue has been actually as green as grass, my breath having a bad odor. Two weeksago a friend recommended Cascarets and after using them I can willingly and cheerfully say that they have entirely cured me. I therefore let you know that I shall recommend them to any one suffer ing from such troubles."—Chas. H. Hal pern, 114 E. 7UI St., New York, N. Y. Pleasant, Palatable, Potent, Taste Good, Do Good. Never Sicken, Weaken or Gripe. 10c, 25c, 50c. Never sold In bulk. The gen uine tablet stamped CCC, Guaranteed to cure or your money back. 923 onioonno ~of! rv°rfinw-B<*if-sharp \| IV\I | H V eiiin»r cut clear to point. 8 in. ij Ll lUnO ,on "- sv ,n( i,s9s ; w ° ,iiai i i/VIIVWVMV , , UMl| I HKFI L A HTICLB CO. Adents Hunted 235U Albion I*l., tit. Louis. Mo. D% ■ VPIIVA WntHon F.rolrmnn,Wa«b- Ivn 9 fH I ington, D.l'. liooksiree. High* 5 n B kil I west referenced. Beat reauiLs. W. N. U., CLEVELAND, NO. 19-1909. 7
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers