Show FARM FARMER ER OF DIAMOND BACKS D novel industry followed by a certain virginia finlan a men who raise terrapins for the city markets become enamored of the business for it is not only a pleasant but quite q bite a profitable occupation said K R fitzhugh of virginia to a washington post man recently 1 I know a gentleman who has a big terrapin farm down on the rappahannock Rappa hannock that enjoys a handsome income from the sales of his diamond backs ile he has been at it for years and has reduced things to a science my friend might be called an expert in the business long devotion to it has given him extraordinary sunning aun ing lie he knows every terrapin on his place I 1 I 1 big little old and young as aas easily il y as a texas ranchman knows his long horned homed steers by their brand it may seem like a tale talc from munchausen to assert that a man could identify each individual of the hundreds in his aquatic corral but this is just what my friend jones can do and every bull heifer and count on the jones plantation tation is subject to instant recognition by the master lie proved his peculiar skill in this way once and in a manner that ought to settle every doubting thomas r for or some time poachers had bad been inva invading dinT his terrapin grounds and d finally he caught up with a couple of colored gentlemen who had half a dozen of his choicest counts in their possession ito pot got out a warrant against them for larceny and the case came on for trial before a local justice when jones took too the stand he explained in a simple and and yet convincing way how he was able t to 0 distinguish his property lie he recognized them by their facial characteristic sand particularly by the eyes be it known that some of these tide water tortoises have a mild and benevolent look while others appear sullen and fierce idsall its all in the expression of the eye theres no other way to differentiate them jones always maintained that a terrapin with a kind and cheerful sort sorl of gleam in his optics was much better eating than the ones that showed a mo rose and discontented nature as if embittered bitt ered against their fate but that is another thing entirely well the justice long in deciding that case he promptly ordered the ierra terrapins pins turned over to the rightful owner and assessed the darkies in a good round fine they afterward owned up that they did dothe do the stealing but bat that ended the poaching business on the jones place |