The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-01
A BIG PYTHON DIES.
Faded Away Slowly and His Owner
MOurns for Him.
New Orleans Times-D Democrat.

New Orleans TlmeS-Democrat.
One of Nine. Paula's immense pythons
is dead. He was boarding at an animal
hotel down in Charities street, he and the
rest of the noted snake charmer's strange
collection OF pets. In the party are
pythons, boa constructors. alligators, and a
little baby crocodile fresh from the river
Nile.
Nine. Paula is we'll known in New Or
leans. She was seen here last season at
the Grand Opera House, and more recently
at West End. Her animals love her
and she loves her animals, and she is
deeply distressed over the death of her
big snake, which was a particularly fine
specimen. He was about ten feet in length.
and although fearful to look upon, was
as gentle as a canary bird.
The big fellow had been sick for a long
time. Now and then he seemed to have
chills and would refuse his food. He had
first-class apartments at BartelIs estab-
lishment. He was provided with a good
bed OF fresh, clean straw, and was offered
nothing to eat except that which is re-
garded by snake as delicacies. His mis-
tress would come to see him and talk
soothingly to him and pet and caress nm
in the hope that he would grow better.
But day by day the glaze in his eye grew
more pronounced and his form wasted
away.
natured, sometimes affectionate, and really
companionable TO those whom he knew.
But when he became sick he curled him.
frightened his host. 1t Is not known what
his ailment was. There was no one avail
able who knew anything of the ills of
snakes, and so nothing could be done but
to make him comfortable and trust to ma
ture. Perhaps it was a mere longing for
the jungle and his heart was sick of cap
tivity. At any rate he was never vicious,
but pinned and pinned until one morning he
was found cud0led up. dead.
Nine. Paula's aligators are domiciled in
a large box. into which is fitted a tank.
OF course they must have water, and this
water must be renewed every morning and
every night. The animals will hiss and
snort at the approach Of a stranger, but
are perfectly docile when Nine. Paula is
near. The moment she enters the room
they become silent and wiggle to the end
Of the box, where they can look through
a wire-covered opening.
The pythonS and boa constructors travel
In large wicker baskets. They are cold
creatures, all Of them, and great precau-
ton is necessary to prevent them from
freezing. They are wrapped in great, thick
cloths. Then they are placed In the bottom
of the baskets, and when the weather is
cold large bottles Of hot water are placed
on top of them. 1t does not seem possible
that any living thing could breathe when
subjected TO such treatment. but IL is in
reality a substitute for the tropical eli
mate in which the reptiles are born and
live.
Then there is the baby crocodile, and a
venomous, dangerous little monster he is.
Scarcely two feet in length, he has long,
ugly teeth, which he is ever ready to sink
into ones hands. His home is a little
wooden box. of which he is the autocrat
Ordinarily he lies fallow, with his eyes
closed. He seems to be inanimate. Ever
the breathing process cannot be observed
But let him hear a football and he opens
his eyes. his tail becomes slightly erect
and he thoroughly arouses himself.
Alligators the size OF this crocodile are
no more harmful than kittens. They car
be handled with impunity, and even if
they were disposed TO bite they could dc
no injury. But this little thing from Egypt
| iG cana HE of doing a great deal OF harm
and everybody is afraid Of him. The only
way in which he can be handled is by the
back &C the neck, and even then one must
know Just how TO do IL.