Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-10-26
MANAGING ALLIGATo><s.

MANAGING ALLIGATV<<s. @
William, you were to tell me lAiR you maa-
aged the alligators when you were in Africa,
and yon may as well ell me now.
Every we'll, Master Frank, sAN old Viii
liam, William was shoemaker the village,
but in carly life he had been a servBiitto gem
tleman, and had attended him in hlstrayels in
many parts of the worldly "you s'lsll know all
about it; and then, if you ever p to Africa
yourself, you can act on the same fhn.'
" But first tell me how big they Pre-
sob! they are of all sizes, froma dozen in
ches to dozen feet; but, by my uasthod, ! can
manage the biggest among them, III him be in
the water or let him be out"
II am glad of that; for, perhafp, shall be
able to manage him too"
ssYon would like to. soc an ALI gatdf nest, 4
dare say; and, perhaps to treat yourself with
an egg or two.'
What! do alligators make nests and lay
eggs!"
$40 he suge they do. When first went
aboard to Cape Coast Castle in Western Africa
as servant to your father, remember finding
an aligator's nest, made Of decayed grass leaves
and weeds, closely matted together; and when
put my hand into it, it was almost as hot as
bakers oven"
'IIow large was the nest! and how big were
the eggsl'
"The nest was made of as much as two or
three carloads of rnbbish of one sort or other ;
and the eggs are white in color, and perhaps
three or four times the size of goose's egg
Alligators are cunning creatures.
"What do they live upon'''
"Why to tell you the truth, they are not
over particular; for they will take up with
just what they can get-whcther it be mouth
full of flies, Waterfowl, a monkeys young
antelope, or sailor in his check shirt, blue
Jacket and white trowsers. In short, Master
Frank, they would eat you if they could get
hold of you, without as much as asking the
question whether it will be pleasant to you or
not"
"I dare say they would, William but will
take pretty good care that they do not. Now
tell me how you manage them"
Il managed them just the same way as do a
rattlesnake, when hear his rattle and see him
just ready to spring upon me-
What, can you manage rattlesnake, too!
Yes, that can or cobra capella, or boa
constructor. or any other kind of snake, even
though he be big enough to swallow tiger
never heard of such n. thing | should
have thought that he would have clung round
your neck, and stuck his poisoned fangs into
you in minute
And SO he would, if did not know how to
manage him. There is nothing like going the
right way to work, Master Frank. If knew
at this moment that savage tiger was in Carey
Wood, or that cruel Turk with drawn sabre
was waiting for me on the Hill Common,
would sally out directly and manage them both.
You would Why, | would not 60 near
them for all the money you would give me. Do
tell me, William, how you manage thcm' Dc
you take q blunderbuss with you
Nothing of the sort. l might, perhaps
have thin walking stick in my hand, Or ligh,
switch but could do without either of them.
Now, thcn, please, tell me without waiting
another minute, whot your plan is
Well, then, my plan is this when see ar
alligator, ten Or dozen feet long, disposed tc
do me mischief, let him open his mouth al
wide as he will the very first thing that do il
to get out of his way
'Oh, William William that is too bad
Too bad, Master Frank How can it b,
too bad, when it is the very best in the world
"Whate'er b, the danger, by night or by day,
Snake, tiger, or Turk-I get out Of its way"
But if you can acquaint me with an easier, q
safer or better method, then I will give VI
mine and adopt yours.
Il tohught you had some wonderful plan tina
required q great deal of courage
Courage is an excellent quality, no doubt
but wisdom and prudence are much more so.-
Depend upon it that, in all cases of danger
temptation and sin, to get out of the way is til,
best thing we can do. |" Lead US not into temp
tation, is an excellent prayer and to ay ava,
from temptation is an excellent practice. Oh
what misery and remorse, what repentance ant
despair, have been brought on mankind by thei
going to meet evil, instead of RAINING ava,
from it Think over what have said, quietly
: Master Frank; and then, very likely, you will
ba ready to acknowledge that my plan is wei
worth your attention.
"Whate'er be the danger, by night or by day.
Or the sim or temptation--get out Of its way
: A CHEAP BARoxErER.-A correspondent G