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I stared at Oscar in bewildered disbelief. He simply did not appear to be the murderous, canabalistic sort of chap, in spite of the impression [[strikethrough]] projected [[/strikethrough]] by the two marbles [[strikethrough]] like objects [[/strikethrough]] like [[?]] bulging slightly from either side of his head. Damaging evidence, however, overshadowed my want to [[strikethrough]] alleviate [[/strikethrough]] overlook the facts. As sole friend and [[strikethrough]] temporary guardian [[/strikethrough]] owner [[strikethrough]] of Oscar, [[/strikethrough]] I, dutifully, sought the best possible legal representative. [[strikethrough]] I tried. [[/strikethrough]] I ran all over Columbus getting opinions from experts, and novices as well, in a desperate effort to save face and possibly Oscar's life. I failed in the former, for the best counsel was to be presented by a die-hard Southern tropical fish abolitionist. Though I was personally pleased, [[strikethrough]] he irritated Oscar, whose [[/strikethrough]] Oscar was irritated, and this bowl-water clouded immediately when the man peered into it. So, as any red-blooded tropical fish-hater-counsel would do-- he declared, rather matter-of-factly, that, without a doubt, Oscar did commit that [[strikethrough]] dastardly [[/strikethrough]] awful act. Now we were all set-- to lose. With sickening evidence against us and a "loyal" attorney, we couldn't win.

Two months ago, I had bought by Astronatus ocellatus from a reputable local dealer who, after placing the plastic bag warmly in my hands, promptly launched into a flowery [[strikethrough]] dissertation [[/strikethrough]] discourse much to my disgust on the life-cycle, habits and vices of an Oscar. Nevertheless, I was a happy Oscar-owner for however brief a period. [[strikethrough]] This unbelievable [[/strikethrough]] The delemna [[strikethrough]] sprang up [[/strikethrough]] occurred when, on whim for something new, I decided to purchase two baby Discus first which were being offered at a bargain price and whose owner was moving to the West Coast. These new people in my tank would require the permanent removal of all fish presenting a possible threat to the new fish's safety. My Gouramis, blue and pearl, and old Kisser, [[strikethrough]] - [[/strikethrough]] were tame almost to the point of docility, so that left the beta, who was a loner, and Oscar. Oscar had to go though he had never harmed another fish. Following a fish-lover's custom, I gave Oscar to another fish-lover who had a suitable aquarium and only on fish-- a Beta splendens-- like mine. I carried the [[strikethrough]] borrowed [[/strikethrough]] bowl containing Oscar with me to work and dryly said,

"Nan, here's the fish".

So all was well and everyone was happy until the day after New Year's Eve. As soon as I opened the main laboratory door all you-know-what broke loose in the form of a foul accusation that could ruin my reputation as a keeper of [[strikethrough]] healthy [[/strikethrough]] fish, for as soon as she saw me, Nan's head shook in tiny vibrations from side to side very