The examiner., 1882-04-01
sThe Tame Alligator.

" You see that item in one of tn. 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 il
 was fashionable thing to do."
 {" don't remember. Perhaps did.
 What of it ?" asked the city editor.
 "I 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. -1
 "I don't know about the experiment; the alligator is thrivin'. He was six weeks old when I got him two months ago, and he is seven years old now. People in our parts say he's all the al- igator I'll ever need"
 "What does he do?"
 "Well, it's here. When he came he was sportive little cuss and just wab- bled around friendly. He was chiefly fun of seein' him eat. Now we skin around when we see him comin' for the fun of seein' him go hungry"
 els he dangerous ?" asked the city editor.
 II haven't been close enough to see. He eat up my dog, and when left this mornin' he was in the sty arguin' tae question of pork as diet with the pig. My wife thinks if the pig has any luck he will find the COW we lost."
 ''Better get rid of him. hadn't you ?'' suggested the city editor.
 Lo man. We've stored so muchaway ir him now that it seems like givin' up most of our property, and my eldest girl says among strangers"
 "Did he bite her leg off? demanded the mortified city editor.
 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. 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 packs may Some to the front again if we hold on. Besides, she seen that item about tame alligators being fash 'pable. and she's got a good deal on style."
 "But do you call that alligator tame?"
 "Cert'nly. 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 8 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' ejaculated the city editor.
 ooh, yes, it's lively down there. When he puts himself up he's busi- ness. He the Iightninest alligator for 3 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 heath 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 3 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 be fed on ? :.
 "Don't reeol1ect seeing it at all. Aren't you afraid he'll eat up some of your family?"
 "Th1nk he's liable to?" asked the Gravesend man, with curious expres- sion of visage.
 "He might. Suppose he should get your wife?'
 "Ahp said the Glavesend man. " He might get her, mighten he? You think I'd better keep him, then P and the Gravesend man leaned against the door and gave himself up to reflection. ' So he might, so he night 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.
 Before booth in a village fair far