Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-10-01
PECULIAR PETS. -
Queer Fancies of Some People
in the Metropolis.
Huge Dogs, Little White Mice and Ali
gators Owned by Young Ladies.

gators OWned by Young Ladies'
A New York letter in the Hartford
Copraat says: In walk through Tenth
street not long ago | witnessed novel
sight which attracted the attention of
more than one passcr-by. A handsome
white hound whose sleek coat was 50
well cared for that it shono like silver,
walked dignifedly on the sidewalk,
while on his back was pcrched a cock
atoo of white plumagc, with head and
wings tipped with red and yellow. Near
by stood II handsome man, dressed IN
good taste, little dudish, perhaps, who
evidently took great pleasure in watch
ing his two pets so strangely mated.
The gentleman was Mr.. William Chase,
the celebrated artist, whose studio is in
the building devoted to artists
on Tenth street. In this
building was also the still un-
occupied studio Of poor Frank Silva, who
died last spring, prominent as fine
marine painter and brave soldier dur
ing our civil war. His wife now teaches
painting, and is, believe, doing fairly
well. Every Sunday Mr.. Chase is seen
on Fifth avenue with his handsome white
dog, whose silver collar is decorated with
a large white satin bow. Week days
yellow or red ribbons are worn, but the
white bow always worn the first day of
the week seems to make the dog carry
his head in different way, just as if he
wished to look more like a COMMUNICATE
He serves as quite an advertisement for
his famous master, everyone asking to
whom the handsome animal belongs, for
while the name of William Chase is
familiar to everyone, he himself is not.
Mr.. James Barton Key, who has left
the stage and is now a stock broker, has
a huge mastiff, beside which Shetland
pony would appear decidedly diminutive.
Master and dog apparently entertain the
greatest affection for each other The
latter would certainly prove formidable
foe to any one who might attack Mr..
Key. 1t is not unusual to see a lady
trudging along one of the principal
thoroughGares leading by chain dog
almost as large as herself. The small
dogis quite out Of style Just now. 1t
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chains,which secure 20 these immense
animals to dainty hand, for if the dog
were so disposed he could run off with
chain, mistress, and all. A lady on
Washington square has marmoset, the
funniest little creature alive, with a very
human expression and peculiar little
cry, its eyes really filling with tears at
times. 1t is almost always chattering
with the cold, and has to be snuggled up
in blankets or placed in a basket near
the fire most of the time. 1t is great
pet, fond of its mistress, and runs about
her head and shoulders 1t is, however,
somewhat of a nui .ance, all endeavors
towards neatness being time thrown
away.
Miss Mary Mcclellan. daughter Of the
lato Gen. Mcclellan, had very peculiar
pets, two white mice which at times she
would take to the opera They ran
around the box at the Academy, often
perched on her bare shoulders, and kept
the audience quite amused or the re-
verse. They were only permitted to
run about during the intemisson, but
one night, just as the prima donna was
in tue midst of a pathetic solo, the mice
came out as if to hear too, and the eyes
of the audience followed them. Miss
Mcclellan tried to secure them, but they
became excited and ran away over the
cushioned rail of the balcony until
caught by an usher and returned to their
mistress. Probably the prima donna to
this day does not understand why her
solo received so little applause that
particular night. Young alligators are
great pets, and several fashionable young
ladies own whole families of them. There
is goat living near me that is a great
favorite of its owner. 1t is named
"Stephen Dorsey" butts called Dorsey"
for short. We never speak as we pass
by. have good reasons for being thus
unfriendly. Dorsey" himself and a
| slippery Sidewalk last winter have much
to do with it. There is a dog that lives
next door to me- He only understands
French. He is forever running away
and his master stands at the front door
shouting "Plon -Plon" (the dogs name),
"venez ici,n till sometimes l wish PIon-
Plon was off somewhere with his more
or less, usually less, distinguished name
sake.
But the latest fashionable pets are
babies. Yes, babies and small children,
who have heretofore been consigned to
the nursery, are now decorated, will
not say clothed, in the most artistic COS
TUNES, and serve to enhance the picture
of pretty and gay mamma The
human pets are no longer considered
nuisances, but are on dress parade when
ever occasion requires. They are not
allowed to converse at all, but simply
to pose. 1t is said of Mrs. Frances
Hodgson Burnett, who has two hand
some boys, usually dressed like the
princes in old pictures, that whenever
the door bell rings they quietly strike
an attitude, so that to the guest they
make complete the picture of the charm
ing Washington home of their gifted
mother.
Submarine Navigation.
"This is wonderful age. Just think
| ,,f4 4Iot I, or