The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-01-17

s.
q Mrs. John Raser, Of near New Gen.
treville, Tredyfffin township is the
owner of a beautiful tame polecat that
appears very much attached to her.
The animal W wascaught by sher son last
spring, when it was still quite small,
and cared for Soon it commenced to
grow very rapidly and showed a 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
short time it 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
a manner as a playful kitten of the
domestic species as long as she was
alone, but the moment anyone else ap-
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 a decided hatred, and
soon commenced to attack them when
ever they came near, always succeed
'inggin clearing them outof 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 gotso that they keep we'll
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
nowit can be seen following him IN a
froliesonae manner, attempting to- catch
and play with his large, bushy tail
whenever opportunity presents itself.
1.-The other day." said Mrs. Raser to a
reporter who visited her home. 1.-The New,
foundland came IN with his tail matted
with burs that had become tangledin
its hair. AS soon as he sat down
Jumbo (meaning the polecat) noticed
the burs and set to work to extract
them, doing SOFAS nicely as itcould have
been done with thesmost nimble fingers,
and the dog let it go on withits work,
until they were all picked out"
The cat has now, grown to its full
size and still feels perfectly contented
with his home. It has grown less shy
| of the other members of the family and
of strangers, but still insists that none
but Mrs. Raser shall touch it. 1t has
made its nest in a,closet, and-wheneger
Mrs Raser is not about it will seek this
Isanda go to assleepa It 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. It will
appear in the dining room and sit up on
its launches like a begging dog at the
side of Mrs. Raser until she serves it
with its meal. lit chances to be- shut
| out of the room it will come to the door
and tap with one,of its paws sintil iteis
heard and admitted. Itshair is unusually
long and very glossy. Immediately
oyerits eyes there is spot of white
| hair extending sqIarely across its fore
| head and then, after ending abruptly
on both sides, passes backward, grow
ing 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 off
| in opposite directions. terminating on
seach side of the body just back of the
shoulders The rest of the bairis glossy
and perfectly black. Altogether,
the animal is a 3ivsrys pretty one, and
] about the house it is perfectly cleanly in
its habits. 1t is not the first animal. of
a Wild disposition that Mrs. Raser has
tanned in similar manner, she having
been equally as successful two orsthree
years ago in domesticating q ground
hog; which last.spring. ehanced to wan7
der out on the track of the Chester. Val
ley Railroad, near the house, and was
killed by aspassiHgS train. To showsthat
the polecat has become thoroughly do
/ fnesticated, Mrs Raser informed our
reported that few nights ago it had
been left out all night, and next morn
| ing was found cutled up on. the front
doorstep. WeStdsest9r fPa.1 eEslEags
Record. 81 a sts.a 4 ia,
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