Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-25
NOTHING LIKE 1T EVER SEEN.
Astute Brooklynitee Puzzled by . Freak Of
Natural History.

From the New York Herald.
number OF Brooklynites were seated IN n
chop house on the "IIill" in that CITY one even
ing recently when in walked tvpical street
fakir, bearing mysterious box under his arm.
The proprietor Of the resort started TO hustle
the stranger out OF doors when the man began
20 explain in his glib way that he was not
peddler, but that he had merely dropped in 10
exhibit rare animal, one he had captured him
self in the interior Of Brazil.
'1t's as tame a kitten" he said. Then he
added: THE likes Of il has never been seen be-
fore. Naturalsts believe il 10 be the last speci-
men Of an extinct species It's rare curiosity.
gentlemen. I'd like to show it to You IL the
boss is agreeable. You can give me what you
like afterward."
mo, no, the gentlemen don't want TO see the
tnlng, spoke up the proprietor testify, a. be
made a movement toward the intruder
Hold on. Let us see what the man has"
spoke up one of the men present Several
Others requested that the fellow be allowed 20
exhibit his treasure and the proprietor gave his
consent
Placing his box on one of the tables the fskir
opened II and out stepped the oldest looking
animal imaginable. II paused. looked around
at the company. walked TO the edge Of the
floor
what in the world is it2' came from .
chorus of men.
Looks like a long-legged rat" said one.
"A mlsshapen monkey or hairless possum,"
ut is a small kangaroo"
what is it,
"Where did il come FROM
Every one present asked come question or
offered some suggestion at the sight Of the
queer thing.
Il don Z know what II is gentlemen. /" said the
iakir. Il captured 1t after a hard struggle" he
added. 'Barnum offered me 81 go for IL but
am attached TO the creature and | won't part
added, with some pride.
The men thought it was and gave the fellow
quite sum OF money.
The animal was small not larger than a half
grown cat Ii was entirely bare of hair and
was OF a light liver color. 1t walked about tbe
door. jumped up upon chairs and tables and
appeared perfectly at home
1t Is certainly the oldest thing have ever
seen in the way Of an animal. remarkeds
well-educated man. The animal IA of the go
tribe, think, he added, s.and vet Il h An
anomaly. IL has claws. a sensitive. nervous
organism, as shown by its movements and the
action OF the tail. and Vet il has a smooth hide
reaiiy can account for such peculiar make
law" " ~ 'h'hsa natural
Then came long discussion, into which the
shades OF Culver and Darwin and seyersi
other fsmous gentlemen were dragged BY the
quoted at length.
The fakir stood By, smoothing the snootA
niue Oh the mysterious animal, now and then
accepting a drink from one or the other of the
Gentlemen. and listening to the discussion witA
the greatest OF interest
IL Is difficult to say how long he would hsv,
renamed had not q young gentleman accom-
panied by fox terrier dog. Glanced lust then
to enter the resort The dog spied the nv,-
terry, emitted a sharp, angry bark and sprang
toward 1t. The hairless creature leaped with
grea. agility TO the bar. then 10 q shelf back Of
crockery ''tobys," thrown down By the ani-
mai efforts 10 escape the dog.
The latter barked furiously. In vain his
master tried to still him. The fakir looked
nervousiy at his pet. Every one else did the
same. The creature stood sloft It's back
arched high. its tail moving furiously. Tbe
proprietor tried to dislodge IL, it crouehed
back and gave forth q sharp, s.psti Del r'
by Jove you can't blame the dog, I" said The
young man. You have no business 10 Zen
such looking cat as that about" he addsd.
..wSs :aid every one a. the same time.
Yes it is," said the FIRST speaker. .Ffss
shaved cat The dog recognized il II Won don't
a man VINO would serve an animal that Wv
ought to be arrested"
Al this speech every one turned toward -
sPo' snere the fakir had stood, but he had
convinced the company that ii was really a 80
out that II had been shaved 70 the hids &c.
mp OF tail to tip of noss.
1t was really q remarkable piece of torsor,.,
work. aud those present agreed that NJ fov NJ,
otner reason, the fakir was entitled 20 h
money as q reward for his ability and dexserisy
IN shaving cat How the feat could be per.
formed without an immense deal Of scrstchinr
ana csser"auiing 10 dificult 70 imagine.