The Progress., 1894-01-20
~
The Pet Alligator

~ adoption Of chameleons as pets.
~ chameleon was fastened to the
-Iioe with a slender gold chain, and
- cold. slippery little feet We're al
io,sed to wander at will along the neck
.,d shoulders of its owner.
The chameleon fad as morbid fancy |
:. utterly eclip5ed, however, by the
ahDorn,al tendency that leads man, wo-
ION or child to fondle the horned frog, |
o. 20 cherish the untamed alligator.
Tho introduction of an alligator into
uolite society is not infrequently mark
a nv startling and unusual adventures.
A lady of our acquaintance was once
mode miserable for six months over
the bringing of five young alligators
;,tober peaceful household by boy
Of the family, who refused TO renounce
his nets for love or money. lie pre-
.a.od to build "a tank for them in the
rard. with the ambition of starting a
aourishing alligator farm, but one fatal
dov the CRITTERS" escaped from their
hov and created a panic in that home
+bat will rever be forgotten. Women
sbrieked and scaled the trees in
the orchard, dogs barked furi-
ouslv. the neighbOr5 gathered, and
finally two of the monsters were as
sassinated. Three ran into the house
and were seen no more evidently
making their way TO the swamps be-
vond-but that night and every night
during the summer, our friends life
hung upon thread of uneasiness-she
breathed in the constant dread OF lind
inc an alligator in bed with her.
Another alligator experience, lii
which a New York drummer was the
victim. was enacted in New Orleans
not many years ago. A distinguished
Louisiana Democrat had carried his
two little sons to the city for Mardi
Gras. In visiting the bird stores, the
bows saw a tank OF alligators, and there
was no rest for the indulgent father
until two of the gators were purchased
and sent to the st. Charles Hote
where the party was located. The
boys were delighted with their crawly
p,ts. but before bedtime one o
the elusive reptiles had escaped, anC
could not be found in the building. II
4 the dead. vast and middle of the night
blood-curdling cries of "Help-Murde
-Snakes"-were heard issuing iron
the room of New York drummer VIII
was staying at the hotel on his frs
trip South. Attendants rushed to th
rescue-the drummer, suspended Iron
the heavy cornice of wardrobe, wa
doing kicking Kirmess in midair-i
comcal picture of terror-and cole
on the soft blankets OF his bed, the los
alligator was sweetly dreaming. Th
fest of We commercial tourist, in tn
unconscious perambulations of sleel
had touched the body of his undesirabl
bed-fellow, and presto!-the couch wa
left to gators full possession
Nothing could calm the atfrighte
knight OF the grip. His trunk va
speedily packed, and the earliest trai
that left the city bore him to the sal
precincts of Gotham. Ever ate
ward in speaking of Louisiana he sal
tnat it was the most God-forsake
country on earth-alligators swarme
the streets, invaded hotels and ra
people from their beds at night.
An alligator was recently presente
by young girl to youth In ianl
that lives not a thousand miles irol
Shreveport. When the gift arrive
the young man was not at home so II
box was brought into the sitting rool
with the sensational announcement
.'Bere is an alligator for b" The
was an instant stampede OF pettlcoats
bat modicum OF courage returnir
to the party, what to do with 'gat
until his owner appeared on the scel
was the vital question OF the momen
The box was deposited on table
the uneasy women OF the househo
standing guard.
He seems awfully quiet, at la
said l., suppose we shake u
box"
III YOU do and he gets out, I'll die
walled the invalid.
So the shake was abandon
but the most daring me
Der Of the dove party kept the crowd
wild alarm by applying lighted mate
es to a small air-hole thatsthe box &c
taiEed, in an attempt to investigate
cut of gators countenance. As the
valid's nervousness increased, M-s'
gestei that the box be removed
10 the hall.
81 NO, no." she cried, 1--WE must Ke