The Progress., 1894-01-13
-, A PET OTTE r.
He Had to BE Taught How to Swim by
His Owner.

His Owner.
Mrs. Arthur Leather OF Fovberry
Tower, Northumberland. England,
has tanned young otter whose dam
was killed by the hounds. Mrs
Leather says that in two days Moses.
as she christened her new pet, knew
her perfectly well and would follow
her about from room to room. Milk
he would take with avidity, also
small trout. but as he grew older his
appetite increased, and he now has a
decided penchant for RABBITS, his IA
vorite part being the liver On one
occasion, when he had strayed away
from FOw berry, he fell into the hands
OF the rabbit-catcher, and he is said
to have opened a dozen rabbits and
demolished the coveted dainties in
the course of one night Greedy
Moses. But then he is only now
about five months old, so allowances
must be made for his behavior.
Despite his growth he still likes
milk and bread, and Mrs. Leather re
marks upon his curious method of
drinking. She says it looks as though
he were eating the liquid. Anything
! taken from her hands is especially
nice it appears, for he is very much
attached to his mistress. and also to
her maid, who has been attentive to
his wants in like manner. They
have endeavOred to get him into tho
habit of coming to the house each
day for a rabbit; but he is somewhat
erratic in his behavior, and has a
great fOndness fer the river. But,
odd as it may seem, Mrs Leather
had to teach him to swim. For six
weeks after he was dOmiciled at FOw-
berry he refused to go into the water.
but now he is quite an expert and
delights to disport himself in the
river when people are looking on.
1t is very pretty to see Moses play
ing with his tail, kitten fashion, or
jumping about merrily in the shining
water, and he is always ready for a
romp OF this kind. Once his friends
had an enclosure made for him con-
tanning a shallow bath, but appar-
emily this was not to his taste. for he
soon scratched and worked his way
out and hurried down to the river
again, where he is often to be seen
at the mouth of his old hole Mrs.
Leather sometimes feeds him there.
and he carries his food away, and
will not be seen a. ain for a consider
able time.
lie has now, however, made himself
a little den near the bank OF the
river, but will come from it at Mrs.
Leather's call, and. curiOusly enough,
if his mistress takes Moses for ram
BILE and goes out of his sight, the in
telligent creature will whistle until
she reappears. And indoors, too, he
is just as devoted to his friends. He
will come to the front door and whis-
tie to be admitted, and, once inside
the house, he will follow Mrs.
, Leather or her maid about from room
to room, or else go to their apart
ments and lie there waiting until
they come, often making a pretty
little chirruping noise to tell them
that he desires their presence. They
may pet him and fondle him as one
would a favorite dog or kitten, and
he evidently enjoys it thoroughly.
Moses knows his friends, says his
mistress. and / am sure it is true;
and he is Just as quick to discover an
| enemy! In this case he news like a
cat and is not averse to using HE
/ sharp teeth in his defense; indeed,
his affection is not easily bestowed,
it must be won, and very gently and
cautiously, tool He never fOrgives
an injury, but is very grateful for a
little kindness, and intensely devoted
to those whom he considers to be
really his friends. Moses is never
happier than when he is lying costly
by the fire, basking in its pleasant
warmth.