Fish Is Avenged By Brave Turtle

This article was in a Louisiana newspaper 100 years ago today, July 25, 1913. I wish I knew who wrote it.

FISH IS AVENGED BY BRAVE TURTLE

Puppy Devours Three Companions of Amphibian.

IS OF HEROIC STUFF

Glass Tank Bursts In Bird Store and Survivor of Aquarium Disaster Clamps Jaws on Foot of Ghoulish Assailant of the Dying.

Indianapolis, Ind.-Three tiny goldfish met a tragic end: one frolicsome puppy indulged In a swim and a fresh fish dinner and one turtle about the size of a dollar-and-a-half, with a mean, snapping disposition, made things interesting for the pup when a glass aquarium, holding about four barrels of water, burst in a bird and animal store, in West Ohio street.

As it appeared to spectators, the goldfish were wiggling about contentedly in the big tank of water, thinking how much nicer and safer it is to be fed scientifically prepared fish food from a box than to get out in a stream or pond and forage for worms and maybe get hooked in the gills. Mr. Turtle had nosed his way under a wad of moss at the bottom of the tank and was ruminating on what a heroic sacrifice had been made of his fellow creatures for the Friedmann cure.

The pup was peeping around corner of a box of stock food on the floor and wishing with all his might
that an obstreperous kitten that had been tantalizing him all morning would saunter around in his direction.

Then the crash came. One side of the glass case gave way with a roar. Water struck the pup like a tidal wave and bowled him over. Little fish scooted over the flood at a wonderful speed. The turtle clung to his tuft of moss and landed on top of a can of bird seed. A green parrot said something apropos and the other bird and beasts set up a hubbub that drew a score of persons to view the catastrophe. The door was locked. A policeman was called and notified the proprietor of the store, who appeared half an hour later.

In the meantime the inquisitive pup shook the water from his fur and set about on an investigation, forgetting all about the kitten, which sprang to the top of a bird cage for safety when the deluge came. 

The pup found it awfully funny to play with the gold fish. He had devoured three when he spied the turtle that was just beginning to come to life and get his bearings.

The turtle telescoped his appendages when the pup signified his intention of being sociable. That was a new procedure to the pup. The fish hadn't done it. So the pup got out his paw. The turtle opened his domicile hospitably and took hold of the paw of friendship in anything but an amicable way.

Then there was one merry uproar and the turtle made circles in the air, clinging to the pup's fuzzy foot. By the time the strangle hold was broken the pup had lost some of his inquisitiveness. the proprietor arrived soon thereafter and found the pp sitting in a corner as far away from the turtle as he could get. His curiosity had all been satisfied and he was again contemplating the kitten.

The aquarium has been in the store for about seven years. As there was nothing on the floor that water would affect, little damage was done.