TAMING AN ALLIGATOR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1051, 9 June 1882, Page 4

TAMING AN ALLIGATOR.

“You seo that item in one of the papers about timin’ young alligators, 3 reckon,” said a Gravesend man, capturing the city editor by the button hole, and drawing him into a doorway. “ You know the paper said it was the fash’nable thing to do." “ 1 don’t remember, Perhaps I did. What of it ?” asked the city editor, “ I tried it,” said the Gravesend man ; “ a friend of mine brought me one from New Orleans, and I am tamin’ that alligator for the children to play with,” “ How does the experiment come along 1” asked the city editor. “ I d n’t know about the expoi imentj; the a hgator is thrivin’. He was six weeks old when I got him two months ago, and he’s seven years old now. People in our parts say he’s all the alligator I'll ever need.” “ What does he do?” “ Well, it’s here. When be came he was a sportive little cuss, and just wabbled around friendly. He was chiefly mouth, and we used to feed him tier the fun of seem’ him eat Now we skin around when we see him cornin’ for the fun of seem’ him go hungry.” “Is he dangerous 1” asked the city editor. “ I haven’t been 'close enough to see. He eat my dog, and when 1 left this morniu’ he was i i the sty arguin’ the question of pork ns a diet with the pig. My wife ■thinks if the pig has any luck he’ll find the cow we lost.” “ Better get rid of him, hadn’t you?” suggested the lity editor. “I don’t know,” replied the Gravesend man. “ We’ve stored so much away in him now that it seems like givin’ up most of our property, and my eldest girl says she •can’t hear of havin’ her leg go out among strangers.” “ Did he bite her leg off?” demanded the horrified city editor. “ Sure I” responded the Gravesend man. “Took it off short. H hen there’s the baby. We hate to part with the baby’s grave, so we sorter try and keep the alligator along. My wife insists on keepin’ him, ’c use she thinks she saw a couple o’ peddlers go in one day, packs and all, and she’s got an idea the packs may come to the front again if we hold on. Besides, she seen that item a - ' out tame alligators bein’ fash’nable, and she’s a good deal on style.” “ But do you call that alligator tame ?” “ Cert’nly He comes right into the house, same’s any of us, and helps himself. He’s got that heel,” and the Gravesend man pointed to a mutilated foot. “ There’s my son’s wife, too She’s part alligator now. He eat her up a week ago, and the hoy hasn’t got over his arm yet. The alligator got the arm too.” “Great Scott!” ejaculated the city ■editor. “ Oh, yes ! It’s lively down there. When he puts himself up, he’s business. He’s the lightningest alligator for a tame one you ever saw. When we first got him we used him Tor a tack hammer, drew nails with him, but now he is the head of the family, except payin’ the rent. When there is any mys f erions disappearance around Gravesend the coroner comes and views the alligator. That ends it. When the baby was snatched ihey held the inquest iu a tree. The jury was all on one limb and the alligator underneath looking up. Bimeby the limb broke, and the jury disappeared in a row, just as they sat. We didn’t wait for any verdict. The coroner gave me a permit, and after the funeral we shied an empty coffin at the alligator. Then the minister said, ‘ Dust to dust’ and we all dusted. Do you n member ■whether that item said what a real tame alligator ought to be fed on ?” M Don’t recollect seeing it at all. -Aren’t you afraid he’ll eat up some more of your family ?” “ Think he’s liable to ?” asked the Gravesend man, with a curious expression of visage. •“ He might. Suppose he should get your wife?” “Ah !” said the Gravesend man. “He might get her, mighten he? You think I’d better keep him then ?” and the Gravesend man leaned against the door and cave himself up tc reflection, “So he might; so he might,” the city editor •heard him say as he drew away and left him there, “That beautiful young tame alligator may get her yet,” and the gloom of nightfall enveloped the frame dilating with a new hope. American Paper.