The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-07
AFFECTION OF SEALS.



New Orleans Times Democrat.
series of hoarse barks, alternating with
shrill shrek. followed now and then by
a splash as Of a heavy body falling into
water, were the unusual sounds that came
from the rear of the Orpheum Theater yes
terday, and brought many curious heads
to the neighborhood windows to ascertain
the why and wherefore of the queer noises.
The more inQuisitive ones soon found that
all the commotion was caused by Captain
Webb's seals and sea lions enjoying a
frolic in the big portable tank placed in
the cellar under the stage, and which had
UNI during the engagement of these queer
denzens Of the sea.
There is something inexpressibly pathetic
about a domesticated seal. According TO
Captain Webb, in their wild state, they are
the most vicious of all animals; once tanned
they become the most docile and are abso-
lutely human in their affections.
Everybody knows" says Captain Webb,
what pitiable object is a sick monkey.
sick seal is worse, and if he is in dying
condition ne simply will not be left alone
for a minute. l once had a dying seal
guard the door to keep me from leaving
him even to go to my meals. and he crept
up in my arms. although he weighed fully
go pounds, and LAID his head on my arm
like a little child. They crave attention
and you can do ten times as much with
them through kindness as fear. They are
not jealous of each other except on the
stage, and there they show much pro-
fessional jealousy as is said TO exist among
opera singers. If one gets more applause
than another there is sure to be war i'm the
camp, but once they are off the stage they
are most affectionate towards each other
/ have had to separate them sometimes by
sending this or that one to some other road
show. When the traveller returns he gets
warm welcome from the others, and they
will crowd around to kiss and caress him
for half an hour
II a good strong broom in first train
ing them When they make iunge a me
stick the broom In their mouth and their
teeth crash into the straw. which doesn't
/ have seen seal shake a new strong
broom into tiny bits and then throw the
handle with crash through the window
once they are domesticated they are EASY
enough to train, but the reason they are
so scarce is because they are so hard to
raise. Capt. Paul Boyton has lost at least
s1o, s on seals: He had twelve last summer
the different waters. / have discovered
remedy for this, but. of course that is my
trade secret fear will have some trou-
BILE here with the river water, as IL is so
muddy"
There is considerable expense attached to
such an act as Captain Webb's. for he car
ries two large portable tanks with him and
two assistants to look after the seals He
also carries his own scenery with him. for
the seals must have the same stage sur
roundings at each performance. They will
eat only fresh herrings. and these have TO
be shipped to him in a refrigerator car
every two days. for the seal is very dainty
perfectly fresh. The sea lions are the big
gest caters and they consume from ten To
fifteen pounds of fish day, while the seals
eat only one-half that quantity Fresh
from the ocean the seal is worth $50 apiece
From four to six months are spent I'm tar
ing them before they are taught anythine
at all. They are extremely sensitive and
II they are frightened at anything A. Is sew
eral days before they recover from IL The
Webb seals are so perfectly tame that even
a stranger may pat them on the head
When Captain Webb enfere the 49, .-Sou.
they are kept they come houndering across
the moor and are not satisfied until he
stoops down and allows each one Ia kiss
MN on the Cheek Should they be in the