St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-01-19
A Strange Pet.

Mrs. John Raser, of near New Gen.
trcville, Tredyffrin township, is the
owner of beautiful tame polecat that
appears very much attached TO her.
The animal was caught by her son last
spring. when it was still quite small,
and cared for. Soon it commenced to
grow very rapidly and showed de-
cidedly wicked temper when any one
else than Mrs. Raser came near it,
making an effort to bite all who at
tempted to touch it but her. She could
stroke its back, take it in her lap, or do
whatever she pleased with it, and in a
short time il commenced to follow her
around like kitten. 1t was allowed
to wander about the kitchen when she
was about. and did SO in as frolicsome
manner as playful kitten of the
domestic species as long as she was
alone, but the moment anyone else APP
peared it would run and hide out of
sight Mrs. Raser is the owner of two
English beadle hounds and one large
Newfoundland dog. For the two former
the little animal from its infancy
always showed decided hatred. and
soon commenced to attack them when
ever they came near, always succeed
ing in clearing them out of the house in
perfect terror, by reason OF the severe
bites that it was able to give them with
its sharp teeth and frisky movements
whenever it caught them inside. They
have now got so that they keep well
out of his reach Toward the large dog
it has always shown a different dispo-
sition, however. Instead of attempting
to bite, it made friends with him, and
now it can be seen following him In a
| frolicsome manner, attempting to catch
and play with his large, bushy tail
whenever opportunity presents itself.
| The other day." said Mrs. Raser to a
reporter who visited her home. ..the New
| foundland came in with his tail matted
with burs that had become tangled in
its hair. As soon as he sat down
Jumbo (meaning the polecat noticed
| the burs and set to work to extract
them, doing so'as nicely as it could have
been done with the most nimble fingers,
and the dog let it go on with its work
until they were all picked out.
The cat has now grown to its full
size and still feels perfectly contented
with his home. 1t has grown less shy
of the other members of the family and
of strangers, but still insists that none
but Mrs Raser shall touch 1t. 1t has
made its nest in closet, and whenever
Mrs. Raser is not about it will seek this
and 90 to sleep. 1t has learned
to know the hours when the family
takes its meals, and as regularly
will put in an appearance to be
fed at just such times. 1t will
appear in the dining room and sit up on
its launches like begging dog at the
side of Mrs. Raser until she serves it
with its meal. If it chances to be shut
out of the room it will come TO the door
and tap with one of its paws until it is
heard and admitted. Its hair is unusually
long and very glossy. Immediately
over its eyes there is spot OF white
hair extending squarely across its fore
head and then, after ending abruptly
on both sides, passes backward, grow
inc narrower as it does SO until almost
a complete triangle is formed, but there
the white divides into two lines about
one-half inch in width each and six
inches long, which curve gracefully oil
in opposite directions, terminating on
each side of the body just back of the
shoulders. The rest ofthe harris glossy
and perfectly black. Altogether,
the animal is very pretty one, and
about the house it is perfectly cleanly in
its habits. 1t is not the first animal of
wild disposition that Mrs. Raser has
tanned in a similar manner, she having
been equally as successful two or three
wears ago in demonstrating ground
hog. which last spring chanced to wan
der ont on the track fthe Chester VAL
lev Railroad, near the house, and was
killed by passing train. To show that
the polecat has become thoroughly do
mesticated, Mrs. Raser informed our
reported that few nights ago it had
been left out all night, and next morn
ing was found curled up on the front
doorstep. Westehester (Pa.J FIltage
Record.