Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1891 — Some Interesting Pets. [ARTICLE]

Some Interesting Pets.

Pour years ago last September I found and brought home four young flying squirrels Casualties overtook two of them, leaving a pair, which were given the liberty of the kitchen. They grew very fast, and became very tame and playful, but were withal very timid, the least unusual noise causing them to run for a hiding place, and making them very nervous Thoy were provided with a box to sleep in; and showed their instinct by storing it full of nuts but liked best to sleep In the pockets of any clothing within their reach. During the day they kept closely hidden, but in tho evening were very active, and delighted in jumping from 3houlder to shoulder of those at the supper table, stopping now and then to taste tho dainties offered them. After supper the squirrels would accompany the family to tho sittingroom, where they would immediately climb to the highest accessible point and begin to jump, not stopping tbeir romp until wo retired. After our little squirrels were grown I captured another, also full-grown, and took it home t> them, but for a time they would havo nothing to do with tho stranger. They moved their entire st ire of nuts to a new hiding placo, and stayed on the opposito side of tho room from tho intruder, not allowing him to come near their nest. After a time, however, they overcame their jea'ousy of the little stranger and made friends with him, their friendship being iniorrupto I very soon by tho escape of th.i wild squirrel through a door, loft open by accident The female died when two years old. They had never bred. After this, for a long time, the male seemo I very loneso re, then became more sociable than ever, and has become quite domestic. He is fond of music, and when some ono plays the kind of music he likes he will sit and listen vo. y attentively. He has no inclination to escape from captivity, but, on tho contrary, if he does get out by mistake, he Immediately returns and seems glad to bo at home again. In the winter, when the fires are built, our little pet comes out to hunt up his friends, entering when ho finds the doors open and going to each bed to soo if we aro awake

Our squirrel Is as Intelligent as any dog and manifests groat affection for all the family, especially my father, whom be trusts implicitly, and with whom he will play much after tho manner of a kitton. This squirrol Is so small that you can close your hand around him and hold him quite easily, and he seems more like a bird than a mammal, yet ho can make us understand almost anything he wants. He is neat and cleanly, seldom gets into mischief, and does not make any trouble except by filling things full of nuts. Wo often wondor how long our pot will livo, and shall all be sorry when we havo to part with him, as ho is the most affoettonate and entertaining pet we havo had.—Forest and stream.