Connecticut western news., 1875-12-03
THE EDUCATED PLEAS.
A Woman Tells the Wonderful Story of
 What sho Saw.

Ea
 Woman Tolls us the Wonderful Story of
 What she Saw.
 A number of years ago, when was quite small child, remember hearing great deal of talk about a troupe of educated 'feas that were then on exhibi- tion. The stories seemed too marvellous to be true, but longed to see those in telligent heas with all the longing of a child for the unnatural and grotesque. did not see them then, and, lately, as I was walking past Union square, New York, saw sign out with this inscrip- hibition of the Educated Fleas." ex- perienced all the curiosity of twenty years ago. bought my ticket of a DO lite old Italian, the original educator, | suppose, and passed on to the table where the exhibition took place, in com pany with a nursery maid and two little boys. Later a young gentleman and lady joined us. Well, these little insects did actually do what they were adver- tised to do. They pulled @ coach, with a flea driver and flea passengers; they set merry -go-round and windmill lin car after it, another a ship /; two fought
 
 were represented by heas mounted on the backs of other feas, Then there is 8 ballroom scene, an orchestra of fifteen feas, each with an instrument in it's hand, party of four playing with the cards, one reading 8 newspaper, and 8 gentleman and lady flea on the floor complete the scene. A music box is set going, and the dancing couple start of in waltz. The lady broke down with the weight of her skirts when I saw them, but her partner hopped around as lively as a cricket. The most remark able part of this exhibition is the dress ing and harnessing of these little crea- lures. I cannot see how it is done it must be under the microscope. All of them that take the parts of men and women are dressed. When he wants them to move the exhibitor gives them 8 gentle squeeze with the tweezers, and away they go. 'tHow do you keep them from hopping 2" we inquired. "We put them in this little wheel, and keep them there for eight or ten days. When ever they attempt to hop they lare brought bang up against the top, so that they get discouraged and completely broken of the trick" He then showed AA0 h WA4O Aca, SuCA h Ou0 us ROL bu0 best of Paddy. This fellow hopped about liked pea in hot pan, but was kept from hopping away by ball and chain attached to his leg. The chain is about two inches long, and is said to have four hundred links, and the ball is about the size of homeopathic pill. | "Doesn't it take you long time to get these insects prepared for the day 's entertainment asked. tIndeed it does," he replied. "It takes me three hours to undress and feed them at night (there are hundred in alb, and two hours and half to dress them in the morning." :" What do they eat 2'' ] asked. "Mel' was the reply. Eat youl what do you meant" "Just that I put them all here on my bare arm, and they eat until they are satisfied" ] was speechless. What could say to 6 man who voluntarily gave himself up tc be devoured by feas3 This was worse than the dirty Italian lazzaroni, who, perhaps, if they had their choice, and il cost them no effort to prevent it, would rather not be the food of vermin. I Jeff the exhibition with the most uncomfort able sensations, that were hard to shake off. My curiosity was satisfied, and do not regret the investment of my | twenty-five oenka -F