The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-05-13
Family Necessities.

In these times when money is scarce,
trade is depressed and values are in
fiated, it is cheering to see that few of
the actual necessities of life can still be
purchased at reasonable figures.
The pricc-list of wild animals has Just
been issued and received in this city. 1t
is very gratifying, at time when people
feel obliged to economize, to learn that
many of the most desirable and useful
beasts and reptiles are lower. You can
get a good, sound lion now for from
81 800 to $4,000. Lions are down. A
great many people during the past hard
winter have been compelled to deprive
themselves of lions on account of their
high price. Some families, not accus-
toned to habits of self.denial, it is true
paid the largest figures rather than be
without hons, but the majority have
been obliged to wait until the lion mar
ket 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 rates scarcely householder
need be without one. The father who
would deny his home-circle the pleas
ures of a lion now would make his wife
take in washing and his children strip
tobacco.
Every one will be glad to know that
elephants are easier. They are quoted
from 1000 to $4,000, according to size.
A neat, reliable elephant, suitable for a
cottagc-house and small family, can be
obtained for the inside figures. The
largest ones, appropriate for the spacious
drawing-rooms of Calumet avenue pal
aces, of course, are much higher But
from the wide range of prices everybody
will be able to select a very good style
of elephant at cost within his means
As the public become aware of the fact
that they are no longer held at exorbi-
tant figures elephants will be restored
to their proper place in the domestic
circle. No one who makes any preten-
sions to wealth or social distinction will
hereafter incur the taunts and sneers
of fashionable neighbors by being with
out one. A single elephant will do very
well for family of ordinary size and
means The proud and affluent, how
ever, will indulge in more.
A good parlor camel can be obtained
for mere song. The best ones can be
purchased for 5000. This fact will make
them unpopular among the affiuent
classes, who will not look with favor up
on anything cheap, whatever may be
its intrinsic merits. The camel has his
good points, but he is cratic about his
meals, and is said to be an intractable
pet, as he gets his back up with no ap-
parent reason. But the cheapness of
camels will always recommend them to
the humber classes.
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 happi-
ness of every home would be furnished
this season at more reasonable rates. 1t
is hard to do without ones giraffe. 1t is
painful to pay $4,000 for such an actual
necessity during these hard times. The
result of this high rate will be that peo-
Pile, especially the poor, will retain their
last years giratIes, and, consequently,
the suffering will be much less than at
first might be supposed.
But if giratfes are high we find an
agreeable recompense in the next item
anacondas. These fashionable and pop
ular reptiles are much easier. The fears
that were entertained during the winter
that the great demand for anacondas
would cause marked advance in their
price have proved groundless. They are
lower than ever before. A handsome,
trustworthy anaconda can be purchased
for 5000. This is by the single serpent,
mind you. Families who desire dozen
or more, in all probability, can sup
ply themselves at more favorable
rates. There certainly 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 probable that larger orders
than usual will be the rule, in antici
patton of an advance. It is not safe to
assume that anacondas will remain
long at the present low figures.
Leopards are very reasonable, being
quoted at $500, while bears-a home
commodity-are rated at $1,000. The
latter figure seems high, but it must be
that Clusters and other ex-
petitions to the Black Hills have made
bears scarce
People who have been greatly annoyed
at the discovery of the povery which the
want of rhinoceros betrays, and have
determined this year to be on par with
their more stylish neighbors in this re-
spect, will be pleased to know that rhi-
noceroses are quite reasonable. A very
good one can be purchased for $1,000,
and the most elegant and stylish can
be had for $4,000. This will bring them
within the reach Of almost everybody.