Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-10
PETS AND THEIR TRICKS.
1t is Time That n New Pet Was In
vented.
From he Iond,n Standard

Fi'iH io!iu'h
Everybody admits that It is time new
pet was invented, one that shall be cheap
to buy and to feed. amusing, good temper
ed, giving trouble in the house and pref
ty-but above all cheap. Novelties are
recommended every day, but none of them
can pretend to fulfill these simple require
ments. We speak with some practical
knowledge OF the subject. Endless is the
number of pretty and amusing creatures
up and down the world. but very nearly
always they have disadvantage of some
kind.
At this moment the virtues of the Cape
called at home are proclaimed with enthu-
siasm in public and private. Those happy
ladies who possess a specimen are not to
be suspected of cXaggeration. The dossy is
charming little animal, with all the
merits claimed for him. But, perhaps, they
do not tell all, or perhaps they are in
different to SDortiVe habits watch might not
suit everybody. We never owned Il dossy,
but once spent several days at a farm
house in South Africa, where one was
cherished. His special delight was to find
somebody reading or writing or asleep
that is absorbed. On making that joyous
discovery he crept, noiseiess mouse
to the greatest distance convenient, and in
one demon spring leaped upon the persons
knee or shoulder, or Oh the table beside
hm--hying off light as bird and out of
the room, almost in the same movement as
it seemed Nerves are robust upon the
veldt. but in England that pretty trick
would soon reduce old ladies of the family
to gibber!ng condition.
We know exactly what would happen, Tor
we once had a mOngoOse which showed
the same sense of humor: but, unable to
Jump ii produced the effect by Just the
opposite means. Our easy chairs and sofas
We're covered with drabery to the floor.
When the mongoose saw anyone lying back
inattentive to earthly things, it climbed
softly up the hanging material always be
hind. Not the slightest rustic betrayed
its approach until the victim started up
with "a Shrek feeling cold black muzze
suddenly pushed into her ear. There was
triumphant mischief in goosey's face as
she scuttled off full speed to her box; in
fact the evidence of direct intention and
Of a humorous impulse was complete.
Elderly persons, however, did not appre-
ciate the sport and had to send her to
the Zoo.
Another pet of which We can speak with
the authority of experience is the meercat
There is none more amusing, quaint and
delightful, unless by bad luck he should
prove to be treacherous-females kindly
| treated from the beginning are nearly al
ways trustworthy. But the most affection
ate Of these charming little animals is
firmly resolved to have its own way and
if the growing signs, of temper be 1isre-
garded it will surely bite This is a very
small disadvantage for ladies, since it gives
the plainest warning, but children soon
learn how sharp and long are the meercats
teeth. Then, 1t flies at dog just as a dog
flies at a rat, never making friends with
meercat scratching up the EARTH for it's
its nature to-" If you keep the earth COW
cred, so much the worse 90 for your boards
and carpets.