Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-29
A GAME DINNER

A GAME DINNER
MOw the Anaconda of the New York
Aquarium Takes His Heal at "a
Hotel.
New York World.l
Yesterday morning a World re-
porter called on Mr.. Hamilton, of .
the aquarium, with a ticket in his .
hand reading: "You are invited
to a game dinner"
Mr.. Hamilton received the repor-
ter courteously, and took up large |
carpet-bag. On the way from Bar
clay street to the Jersey City side,
the reporter, moved by social inter-
course, by the brightness of the sun
shine and the delirium Of the spark
ling wavelets in the stream, said:
"What have you in your bag"
Gone of the guests" said Mr..
Hamilton.
The reporter was not displeased,
and continued; "Where are you
going to have the dinner?'
" In Taylor's Hotel" replied Mr..
Hamilton, who was also in a talka-
tive mood.
After some further conversation
Mr.. Hamilton requested the repor-
ter, the two being now in room in
the hotel, to get into one of the
beds and roll himself up in the bed
clothes. Full of curiosity, the re-
porter complied. There were two
beds, and the reporter being CO.
cooned in one Mr.. Hamilton quickly
blanketed himself in the other.
Previously a boy had brought a
crate up to the room, which had
been opened, and now six rabbits
were hopping about the carpet and
two pairs of doves were kissing on
the fender.
"You look like the mummy OF
Seostris," said Mr.. Hamilton.
$50 do YOU" said the reporter.
A ribbon of sunlight slipped
through the window, and bathed
the Kissing doves with warmth
"Now am going to slip the ana.
: conda," said Mr.. Hamilton.
, The reporter was not willing tc
evince any curiosity, and only
! smiled as if he had long sine,
fathomed Mr.. Hamilton's inten
tions, while the nimble hand Of tht
latter unlocked the carpetbag will
a single motion, and permitted tn,
egress from the aquarium Of al
anaconda. Fifteen feet of the ser
pent's fascinating coil the serpen
slowly drew from u large bag. Will
6 graceful motion she moved along
q the Brussels carpet. Her eyes wer
5 as a pair of blazing and solntillat
G ing beads. Not a sound she made
J She moved toward the rabbit ant
9 the kissing doves. These were still
! unsuSpecting, but their hour hat
I come. The anaconda ceased he
) forward motion and lifted her fla
7 head three feet into the air. Fift
g times in single second her foykec
L tongue darted forth and back
I Then there was a single sharp hiss
' a phosphorescent flash as the ser
e pent's head and neck cut through
: the air, and the auaconda's fast wa
Z broken.
e evil you tell me-" said the re
d porter shortly afterward, as Mr.
J Hamilton sat smoking on the tor
n pid coils of the serpent, "why tht
y anaconda comes so far to dine?"
9 "Mr. Bergh," replied Mr.. Hamil
;. ton, "will not allow our anaconda
! (of which we have three) to ca
q their dinners in New York. 1t j
o the popularity Of an anaconda tina
1t it will accept no meat-which is no
Ie furnished on the hoof, but the So
/ ciety for the Prevention of Cruelt
II to Animals will not permit food t
J be eaten in that way. The anacond
y will not eat what it cannot kill AN
l. as it is not allowed to kill in th
Is city of New York it comes owe
2 once a month to dine in the hos
II pitable State Of New Jersey. D
u you see?"
+ "Are there any more courses?
a; said the reporter, laying his han
ol on his stomach and glancing at th
le card of invitation.
le NO." said Mr.. Hamilton, "none.
u He is a very singular man.