The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-04-19

WV
papers about tanning young alligators,
I reckon" said the Gravesend man,
capturing the city editor by the button
hole and drawing him into the door
way. You know the paper said it
was fashionable thing to do"
don't remember. Perhaps did.
What of il p asked the city editor.
/ tried it, said the Gravesend
man. "a friend Of mine brought me one
from New Orleans, and I'm tanning that
alligator for the children to play with"
" How does the experiment come
along" asked the city editor.
4 don't know about the experiment.;
the alligator is thrivin'. He was six
weeks old when got him two months
Ego, and he is seven years old now.
People in our parts say he's all the al
ligator Ill ever need"
"What does he dor
"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 comm for the
fun of seein' him go hungry"
els he dangerous ?" asked the city
editor.
Il haven't been close enough to see.
he eat up my dog, and when 1 left this
mornin' he was in the sty arguin' the
question of pork as diet with the pig.
My wife thinks il the pig has any luck
he will find the COW we lost"
Better get rid of him, hadn't you ?''
suggested the city editor,
|" don't know" said the Gravesend
man. "We've stored so much away in him
now that it seems like givin' up most of
our property, and my eldest girl says
she can't hear of havin' her leg go out
among strangers"
Did he bite her leg Off" demanded
the Mortified city editor.
Sure" responded the Gravesend
man. "Took it off short Then here's
the baby. We hate to part with the
baby's grave, so we try and keep the
alligator along. NY wife insists on
keepin' him, cause she thinks she saw
couple o. peddlers go in one day,
packs and all, and she's got an idea the
packs may come to the front again if
we hold on. Besides, she seen that
item about tame alligators being fash
'nable. and she's got good deal on
STYLE"
!" But do you call that alligator
tameY'
"Certnly. He comes right into the
house, same's any of us, and keeps
himself 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 week ago and the boy hasn't got
over his arm yet. The alligator got
the arm, too"
"Great scott r. calculated the city
editor.
sob, yes, it's lively down there.
When he puts himself up he's bust
ness. He IS the lightninest alligator for
a tame one you ever saw. When we
first got him we used him for a tack
hammer, drew nails with him; but now
he's the head of the family, except
payin' the rent. When there is any
mysterious disappearance around
Gravesend 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
on one limb, and the alligator under
meath looking up. Bimeby the limb
broke, and the jury disappeared in
row, just as they sat. We didn't wait
for any verdict. The coroner gave me
permit, and after the funeral we SHE'D
an empty coffin at the alligator Then
the minister said dust to dust, and we
all busted. Do you remember whether
that item said what real tame alligator
ought to be fed on p
"Dont recollect seeing it at all.
Aren't you afraid he'll eat up some of
your family?"
Think he's liable tor" asked the
Gravesend man, with curious express
sion of visage.
"He might. Suppose he should get
your wife2"
"Ahl" said the Glavesend man.
"He might get her. mighten he? You
think I'd better keep him, then ?" and
the Gravesend man leaned against the
door and gave himself up to reflection.
81 So he might, so he might" the city
editor heard him say as he drew away
and left him there. "That beautiful
young tame alligator may get her yet, -
and the gloom of nightfall enveloped
the frame dilating with new hope
Brooklyn Eagle.