The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-06-22
TANNING AN ALLIGATOR.
Slight Dimcuitics In she way of Edncst
ing the Saurian.


From Texas paper: "You see that
item in one of the papers about tamin'
young alligators, reckon" said a
Gravesend man, capturing the city
editor by the button hole, and draw
ing him into doorway. "You know
the paper SAID IL was the fash Unable
thing TO do"
81 don't remember. Perhaps l did.
What OF it?" asked the city editor.
81 fried it," said the Gravesend man.
"a friend Of mine brought me one
from New Orleans. and I'm tamin' that
alligator for the children to play with
"How does the experiment come
alongf said the city editor.
81 don't know about the experiment;
the alligator is thrivin'. He was six
weeks old when l got him, two months
ago, and he's seven years old now.
People in our parts says he's all the
alligator I'll ever need"
"What does he uo?''
'well. it's here When he came he
was a sportive little cuss, and just
wobbled around friendly. He was
chiefly mouth, and we used to feed
him for the fun of seein' him eat.
Now, we skin around when we see
him comm for the fun of seem him
go hungry"
'Is he dangerousT' asked the city
editor.
az haven't been close enough to see.
He eat up my dog, and when l left
this mornin', he was in the sty arguin'
the question of pork as a diet with the
pig. My wife thinks IL the pig has
any luck he'll find the COW we lost"
Better get rid of him. hadn't your
suggested the city editor.
81 don't know" replied the Graves.
end man. "We've stored so much
away in him now that it seems like
gMin' up most of our property, and
my oldest girl says she can't hear of
havin' her leg 20 out amongst stran.
gers"
did he bite her leg off?" demanded
the Mortified city editor.
Sure responded the Gravesend
man. TOOK it of. short! Then there's
the baby. We hate to part with the
baby's grave. so we sorter try and
keep the alligator along. My wife in
sists on keepin' him, cause she thinks
she saw couple o peddlers go in one
day, packs and all. and she's got al
idea the packs may come TO the front
again If we hold on. Besides. she
seen that item about tame alliSators
bein' fash'nable, and she's good deal
on style"
''But, do you call that alligator
tanner
"Cert'nly He comes right into the
house same as any of us and keeps
himself He's got that heel" and the
Gravesend man pointed to a mutilated
foot. There's my sons wife, too.
She's part alligator now. He eat her
up week ago and the boy hasn't got
over his arm vet. The alligator the
over his arm yet. The alligator got
the arm. too"
-Great scottr calculated the city
editor.
-Oh, yes. It's lively down there.
When he puts himself up he's business.
He's the lightningest alligator for a
tame one you ever saw. When we
first got him we used him for a tack
hammer, drew nails with him: but
now he's the head of the family, ex-
cept payin' the rent. When there Is
any mysterious disappearance around
Gravesend the coroner comes and
views the alligator That ends it.
When the baby was snatched they
held the inquest in q tree The jury
was all on one limb, and the alligator
ullueTHedlu, iOohiuk up. DllneDy tht
limb broke and the jury disappeared
in row, just as they sat. We didn't
wait for any verdict. The coroner
give me a permit, and after the fun.
eral. we SHE'D an empty coffin at the
alligator. Then the minister said,
Dust to dust and we all busted. Do
you remember whether that item said
what a real tame alligator ought to be
fed onT'
Don't recol1ect seeing II Mt an.
Aren't you afraid he'll eat up some of
yoW family
Think he's liable to?" asked the
Gravesend man with a curious ex-
preston of visage.
"Yes, indeed" replied the city editor.
suppose he should swallow your
wifeF'
"Ah?" said the Grnvesend man. He
might get her, mighten he? You think
I'd better keep him then!" and the
Gravesend man leaned against the
door and gave himself up to refiec-
tlon. $50 he might; so he might; 50 he
might" the city editor heard him say,
as he drew away and left him there.
THAT beautiful tame alligator may
get her yet" and the gloom Of night
fall enveloped the frame dilating with
a new hope.