The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-02-27
skunks as Pets.

We lave had Soms encounters with
skunks, aud seru various dogs debate
whether 10 open an attack upon the
"Irishmans cat, but never made
friends with them to any great extent
We have long held to the opinion that
the only good skunk was dead and
buried one, and that far away. 1t is,
therefore, with pleasure that give the
experience of my friend, DR.. G, IL.
Merriam, as related in bis Adirondack
adventures.
Skunks, particularly when young,
make very pretty pets, being attractive
in appearance, gentle in disposition,
interesting in manners, and cleanly in
habits--rare qualities indeed ! They
are playful, sometimes misohievious,
and manifest considerable affection for
those who have the care Of them. |
have had, at different times, ten live
skunks in confinement. Two summers
ago / was the happy master OF the
cleverest young skunk that ! have thus
far chanced TO meet. For name, he
received the title of his genus, and we
called him "Meph, for short. By way
of precaution we removed his scent
sacs, aod he made a rapid and complete
recovery, after few days OF tempo
rary indisposition. While driving
about the country, in performance OF
professional duties, ne usually slept in
my pocket After supper commonly
took a walk, and he always followed
close to MY heels. If | chanced to
walk too fast for him, he would scold,
and stamp his fore.ieet and if per
sisted in keeping too far ahead, would
turn about, Disguised, and make off i'll
an opposite direction but if ] stopped
and called him, he would hurry along
at sort of ambling pace, and soon
overtake me. He was particularly fond
of ladies, and think it was the dress
that attracted him but be this as it
mry, he would invariably leave me 10
follow any lady that CHANGED to come
| near. We used to walk through tue
woods to large meadow, which
abounded in grasshoppers. Here
"Meph' would fairly revel in his favo-
rite food, and il was rich sport TO
watch bis manpuyres. When grass
hopper jumped, he jumped, and have
seen him with as many as three in his
mouth and two under bis fore-paws at
one time. He would eat so many that
his ver-distended little belly actually
dragged upon the ground, and when SC
full that he could hold no more, would
still catch and slay them When 80
small that he could scarcely toddle
about, he never hesitatei to tackle the
large and powerful beetle known as
the "horned bug" and got many smart
nips for his audacity. But he was q
courageous little fellow, and it was not
long before he learned to handle them
with impunity, and it was very anus
ing to see him kill one Ere many
weeks he ventured to attack mouse
and the ferocity displayed in its de
struction was truly astonishing He
devoured the entire body of his victim
and growled and stamped his feet il
any one came near before the repas'
was over.
His rest was in box near the foo
of the stairs, and beforehe grew strong
enough TO climb out by himself, he
would, whenever he heard me coming
stand on his hind legs, with his paw
resting on the edge of the box, anc
beg TO be carried up stairs. If | passed
by without appearing to notice him
he invariably became much enraged
and chippered and scolded away at /
great rate, stamping meanwhile mos
vehemcnty. He always liked to b.
carried up to my office, and as soon
strong enough, would climb up of hi
own accord. He was very sprightly
and frolicsome, and used to hop about
the floor, and run from room to room
in search of something to play with
and frequently amused himself by at
tempting to demolish my slippers.
have often given hum bit of OLE
sponge, with a string attached, in orde
TO keep him out of mischief. During
the evening he occasionally assumed ;
cunning mood, and would steal softly
up to my chair, and, standing erect
would claw at my pants once or twice
and then scampe, off as fas, as his lit
tie legs would carry him, evidentl.
anxious to have me give chase. If
refused to follow, he was soon back
trying new scheme to attract my at
tention.-Cor. american Agricultur
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