The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-03-17
Tanning an Alligator.

"You see that item in one of the pa
pers about tamin' young alligators, |
reckon" said Gravesend man, captur-
ing the city editor by the buttonhole, and
drawing him into the doorway. "You
know the paper said it was the fasl,
nable thing to do"
81 don't remember Perhaps l did
What of it, asked the city editor
IL tried it, said the Gravesend man.
"a friend of mine brought one from New
Orleans,and I'm tamin that alligator for
the children to play with"
Glow does the experiment come
along p asked the editor
II don't know about the experiment
the alligator is thrivin'. He was six
weeks old when got him three months
ago, and he's seven years old now. Peo
pie in our parts says he's all the alliga
tor I'll ever need.
"What does he do7'
"Well it's here. When he came he
was sportive little cuss, and Just wab.
blcd around friendly. He was
chiefly mouth, and we used to teed him
for the fun of seein' him eat. Now. we
skin around when we see him comm for
the fun of seein' him 90 hungry"
81 he dangerous asked the city edi-
| tor.
"ls haven't zen close enough to see.
lie ate 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.
Il don't know" replied the Gravesend
man. "We've stored so much away in
him now that it seems like givin' up
most 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 there's
the baby. We hate to part with the
babys grave, so we sorter try and keep
che alligator along. My wife insists on
keepin him COS she thinks she saw a
couple of 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 bein fash'nablo, and she's
good deal on style"
"But do you call that alligator tame?"
"Cert'nly. lie comes right to hehouse
sames any of us and keeps himself. He's
got that heel" and the Gravesend man
to mutilated foot. ''Theres 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 Scott = calculated the editor
"Oh, yes! It's lively down there.
When he puts himself up he's busines.
He's the lghteningest 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' 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 al
ligator underneath 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
shied 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 a real tame
alligator ought to be fed on?"
''Dont recollect seeing it at all. Aren't
you afraid he'll eat up some more of
your family?'
'Think he's liable to? asked the
Gravesend mar, with a curious expires
sion of visagc
"He might. Suppose he should get
your wife ?"
"Ah!" said the Gravesend man. "He
might get her, mighten't he You think
I'd better keep him them" and the
Grave2end man leaned against the door
and gave himself up to reflection. $50
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 dilatin 9
with new hope brooklyn Eagle.