Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-08-02
A PET SKUNK.
His Devotion to His Master and His Anec'
ton for the Ladies'.

His Devotion to His Master and His Anec-
ton for the Ladies'.
From TIE American AgrieNltgriR.
Two summers ago / was the happy mas
ter OF the cleverest young skunk that | have
thus far CHANGED to meet. For q name he
received the title of his genius, andw called
him "Meph," for short By way Of precau
ton we removed his scent sacks and he
made a rapid and complete recovery after
Q few days of sDporsry irdisposition.
While driving about the country, in the per
formance of professional duties, he usually
81 pit in m pocket.
After supper | com monty took q walk and
he always followed close TO my heels. II /
Glanced to walk too fast for him be would
sColG and stamp his fore feet, and If per
sisted In keeping too far ahead, would turn
about disguised and make off in an opposite
direction; but if stopped and called
him he would hurry along as q sort OF
an bling pace and soon overtske me
he was particularly fond of ladies and |
think it was the dress that attracted him !;
but be this as it may, he would invariably
leave me to tohow any lady that CHANGED to
come near. We used to walk through the
woods to a large meadow which abounded
in grssshoppers. Here "Meph' would fair
" rcVel in his fayorite food, and it was rich
SPORT to watch his man9uvres.
When grssshopper jumped he jumped,
and / have seen him with as many as three
in his mouth and two under his fore paws at
one time. He would eat so many that his
oyer-distended little belly actually drsggei
upon tie ground, and when so full that be-
could bold no more would still catch and
slsy them. When so small that be could
scarcely toddle about he hever hest
tated TO tackle the large and power
tul beetled known as the horned bug, aud
got many smart nips for his sudscity. But
be was q courageous little felloW,s nd it was
not long before he learned to handle them
With IMMUNITY, and it was very amusing to
see him kill one. Ere many weeks he ven
tured to attack mouse, and the ferocity
displayed in its destruction was truly acton
ishing He deyoured the entire body of his
victim, and groWled and stamped his feet
feet ii any ole came near before the repast
was over
His nest Was in q box near the foot of the
stairs. and before he grew strong enough to
climb out by himself he would, whenever
he heard me coming, stand on his hind legs,
with his paws resting on the edge of the box
and beg to be carried up stairs If passed
by without appearing to notice him, he in
vsrisbly became much enraged, and chip
pered and scolded away at great rate,
stamping mesn-meanwhile most vehemently
He slRays liked to be carried up to by Of
fee, and as soon IS strong enough would
climb up of his 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 attempting to
demolish nv slippers. | have often given
him bit of old sponge with string at
tsched, in order to keep him out Of mischief
During the evening he occasionally assumed
a cunning mood, and would steal softly up
10 my chair, and, standing erect, would claw
at my pants once or twice, and then scam
per off IS fast as his little legs would carry
him, evidently anxious TO have me give
Ease. If refused 10 follow he was soon
back, trying a new scheme to attract my at
tsntion.