The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-05-06
FAMILY PETS.
How the Spring Trade Opens in Lions, Ele
plants, Anacondas and the Like.

/ FAMILY PETS.
How the Spring Trad. Opens in Lions, Ele
plants, Anacondas. and the Like.
Chicago Tribuee.
In these times, s,when money is scarce
trade is depressed, and values are in
flated. it is cheering to see that few
of the actual necessities of life can
still be purchased at reasonable fig
ures.
The price-list of wild animals has
just been issued and received in this
city. 1t is very gratifying, at time
when people feel obliged to economic.
to learn that many of the most desira'
BILE and useful beasts and reptiles are
low. You can get ,-.
| GOOD, SOUND LION
Now from 81, 500 to $1,000. Lions are
down. A great many people during
the past hard winter have been COM
PEELED to deprive themselves of lions
ON account of their high Prlce. Some
families, not accustomed to habits of
self-deniaI, it is true, paid the largest
figures rather than be without lions,
but the majority have been Obliged to
wait until the lion market was easier
But the prices which now prevail leave
no excuse for the man who would
suitably provide for the comfort of
his family. With lions at such cheap
ratas scarcely householder need be
without one. The father who would
deny his b ome-circle the pleasures of
a lion now would make his wife take
in washing and his children strip to-
I.bacco.
Every one will be glad to know that
ELEHHANTs ARE EASIER.
They are quoted from $1,000 to Sc, 900,
according to size, A neat, reliable
elephant, suitable for a cottage-house
and small family, can be obtained at
the inside figure. The largest ones,
appropriate for the spacious drawing
rooms of Calumet avenue palaces, of
course, are much higher. But from
the wild range of prices every body
will be able to select very good style
| of elephant at q cost within his means.
AS the public become aware of the
fact that they are no longer held at
exorbitant figures, elephants will be
restored to their proper place in the
domestic circle. Ne one who makes
any pretensions to wealth or social
distinction will hereafter incur the
taunts and sneers of fashionable neigh
bors by being without one. A single
elephant will do very well for fami-
ly of ordinary size and means. The
proud and affluent, however, will in
dulge in more.
GOOD PARLoR CAMEL
Can be obtained for mere song. The
best ones can be purchased for $500.
This fact will make them unpopular
among the affluent classes, who will
not leok with favor upon any thing
cheap, whatever may be its intrinsic
merits. the camel has his good points,
but he is erratic about his meals, and
is said to be All intractahle pet, as he
gets his back up with no apparent
reason. But the cheapness of .camels
will always recommend them to the
humber circles.
WE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN GIRAFFEs.
They are still very high. We had
hoped. in common with thousands of
others, that these important essentials
to the happiness of every home would
be furnished this season at more reas-
enable rates. 1t is hard to do without
ones giraffe. 1t is painful to pay S3,-
600 for such an actual necessity during
these hard times, The result of this
high rate will be that people, especial
ly the poor, r,will retain their last years
giraffes, and, consequently, the suffer
ing will he much less than at first
might be supposed.
But if giraffes are high, we find all
agreeable recompense in the next
item:
ANACoNDAS.
These fashionable and popular reptiles
are much easier. The fears that were
entertained during the winter that the
great demand for anacondas would
oause marked advance in their price
have proved groundless. They are
lower than ever before. A handsome,
| trustworthy anaconda can be purchas-
cd for five hundred dollars. This is by
the single serpent, mind you. Fami-
| lies who desire dozen or more, in
all probability, can supply themselves
at more favorable rates. There GER
tainly need be no cause for grumbling
! this year at the price of anacondas.
People who have been borrowing
| trouble about the anaconda market
may now rest easy. 1t is quite proba-
BILE that larger orders than usual will
be the rule, in anticipation of an ad-
vance. 1t Is not safe 10 assume that
anacondas will remain long at the
present low figures.
| LEOPARDS
Are very reasonable, being quoted at
$500, while bears-a homely commod-
ity-are rated at $1,000. The latter
figure seems high, but it must be re,
membered that Clusters and other ex-
peditions to the Black Hills have
made bears scarce,
People who have been greatly an.
noyed at the discovery Of the poverty
which the want of
RHINOCERoS
Betrays, and have determined ihi:
year to be on par with their more
stylish neighhers in this respect, will
be pleased to know that rhinoceIe;
are quite reasonable. A very gooi
one can be purchased for $1,000. apt