Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-03-14
A pET ,cAroR,s MIsrAp.
NE Gets Lost for six Months In n Sewer
Pine.

Some six months ago n prominent
citizen OF Ocala bethought to himself
that he wanted small alligator TO
keep as curiosity and TO show to
some friends OF his whom he expected
from the north this winter, saws a
letter from Ocala. Fla, to the st,
Louis Globe Democrat
In few days he had an opportunity
TO crafty his wish at very moderate
price. and taking up the crate in which
''Enoch" was Gagged. started proudly
home with his prize.
''The gator was rs playful as NAL
tese kitten on sunshiny day. He
soon learned to know what his name
was. and would come whenever called.
He would cat out OF his masters hand.
aud in fact so endearcd himself into
che hearts Of his master and mistress
that they We'd with each other to see
who could catch for him the most and
fattest hies and roaches--rare and de-
licious tid-bits for alligat0rs.
',Enoch" became so completely do
mesticated, so much like one Of the
family, aud was growing so large for
his age, that his master and mistress
determined to give him his liberty.
and so "Enoch" was turned loose and
allowed to meander around the gar
den. His most especial delight was 10
crawl up on the roof of the woodshed
and. stretching his scaly anatomy over
the ridge pole so that the sun could
strike all parts OF him at once, he
would close his dreamy eyes and lay
low for flies aud June bugs until din
ner time.
But. alas for poor "Enochw Near
his cage was an opening to i large
sewer-pipe. and one day, in making a
snap at grass-hopper, he missed his
footing and fell in.
At dinner time no "Enoch" ap-
peared. The master aud mistress did
not know what 10 think Of his absence.
but. supposing that he had curled up
and went to sleep in the washtub or
ash barrel, they @c1ld not worry; but
when night came and no "Enocli"
they became truely alarmed, and. with
lanterns In hand. secured the entire
premises, but no "Euoch" could be
found.
NCChH Ddo0tNs a hG tndSlCl 0hi HIto-
tress had gotten over the first parox-
ysms Of grief, but they still had a
warm spot in their hearts for their lost
gator. their 'Enoch."
Just six months from the day
''Enoch" was lost "A workman was re-
pairing sewer-pipe on Ocklawaha
avenue. The pipe had become stop
ped up aud be was trying to find out
the cause. Putting his arm up the
pipe to see If he could feel the OBJ.
struction. he was Mortified 10 feel some-
thing take hold of it like wise. His
teeth chattered, his hair stood straight
up on his head. and If was only by a
mighty effort that he could attract the
attention OF a bystander. who came to
his rescue. They decided the best way
was to make the thing let go. but, fail
ing in this, their only hope was 10 pull
the thing. whatever it was, out. The
bystander took hold of the workman,
and the workman planted his feet
against the sidewalk. and then they
pulled. How it happened they never
knew, but something suddenly gave
way and they both fell over each other,
and by the time they got the sand out
of their ewes all they could sec was a
4-foot gator walking leisurely away
and blinkin. his eyes as il he wasn't
used TO the light.
The gator was "Enoch." He was
recognized by piece of blue ribbon
that his mistress had tied around his
neck. Six months life ia a sewer
hadn't any bad effect upon him or dim
med his memory. and the same day,
tnp ahes.r. iatsr-a ahs. .xladdansd tha hearts
|ls1n bffcafiy~ into rfYy xafu
and taking up his old quarters.
"Ehoch" will never 40 near the
sewer opening again.