The Russellville Democrat., 1882-03-30
Tanning an Alligator.
Stanley Huntley


 "You see that item in one of the papers about tamin' young alligators, l reckon" said Gravesend man, capturing the city editor by the buttonhole, and drawing him into doorway "You know tn paper said it was the fash 'nable thing to do." %
 q don't remember. Perhaps l did. What of it?" asked the city editor "A friend of mine brought me one from New Orleans, and Pm tamin' that alliga- tor for the children to play with" IA
 How does the experiment. come along" asked the city editor.
 "I don't know about the experiment the alligator is thrivin'. He was six weeks old when got him, two months ago, and he's seven years old now. Peo- pie in our parts say he's all the alligator I'll ever need"
 What does he do?p M k~4
 "Well, it's here. When he came he was sportive little cuss, and just wab- bled around friendly. He was chiefly mouth, and we used to feed him for the fun of seein' him eat. Now, we skin around when we see him comin' for the fun of seein' him go hungry"
 "Is he dangerous ?" asked the city editor.
 '"I havent't been close enough to see. He eat up my dog. and when left this mornin', he was in the sty arguin' the question of pork as diet with the pig My wife thinks if the pig has any luck he'll find the COW we lost"
 Better get rid of him, hadn't you ?'' suggested the city editor.
 q don't know" replied the Gravesend man. "We've stored so much away in hlm now that it seems like givin' up most of our property, and my oldest girl says she can't hear of havin' her leg go out among strangers" 4ts .ts
 "Did he bite her leg of?" demanded the mortified city editor.
 Sure !" responded the Grayesend man. Took it of, short Then there's the baby. We hate to part with the baby's grave, 50 we sorter try and keep the alligator along. My wife insists on keepin' him, 'cause she thinks she saw a couple O peddlers go in one day, packs and all, and she's got an idea the pack may come to the front again if we hold on. Beside, she seen that item about tame alligators bein' fash 'nable, and she's a good deal on style."
 But do you call that alligator tame ?"
 "Cert'n'y. He comes right into the house same as any of us, and keeps him. self He's got that heel" and the Gravesend man pointed to mutilated foot. There's my sons wife, too. She's part alligator now. He eat her up a week ago, and the boy hasn't got over his arm yet. The alligator got the arm too"
 Great Scottm eiaculated the city edi- tor.
 "Oh, yes. It's lively down there When he puts himself up, he's business He's the lighteningst alligator for tame one you ever saw. When we first got him we used him for tack hammer drew nails with him, but now he is the head of the family, except payin' tie rent. When there is any mysterious disappearance around Gfavesend the coroner comes and views the alligator That ends it. When the baby was snatched they held the inquest in tree The jury was all one limb, and the alli- gator underneath looking up. Bimeby the limb broke, and the jury disappeared in a row, just as they sat. We didn't wait for any verdict The coroner gave me a permit, and after the funeral we shied an empty coffin at the alligator Then the minister said dust to dust, and we all dusted. Do you remember whether that item said what real tame alligator ought to feed on?"
 Don't recollect seeing it at all. Aren't you afraid he'll eat up some more oi your family" ..- ....
 Think he's liable to?" asked the Gravesend man with a curious expres sion of visage.
 "He might. Suppose he should gel your wife?" -
 "Ah!" said the Gravesend man. "H. might get her. mighten he? You think I'd better keep him them" and the Gravesend man leaned against the dool and gave himself up to reflection. "SC he might; so he might; so he might the city editor heard him say, as he drew away and left there. "That beautifu young tame alligator may get her yet, and the gloom of nightiall enveloped the frame dilating with a new hope.