Essex County Herald

An Unexpected Visitor.

Some time ago a large and excited crowd of citizens rushed to one of the wharves in New Orleans as if some catastrophe had happened. No explosion had taken place, however, no suicide or accidental drowning had occurred, but the cause of the gathering was no less one of some interest. An alligator—a real, scaly, huge monster—had suddenly ascended from the muddy depths of the Mississippi, and, crawling upon the wharf, coolly surveyed the animated panorama of our great thoroughfare. He was evidently a progressive alligator gifted with an investigating mind, and seemed to take great interest in the signs of advanced civilization which surrounded him. He basked lazily in the sun, and after a while became familiarized enough with the scene to gain confidence, and to advance a little nearer to the levee. Just then, unfortunately, some one saw him, and exclaimed, in a voice of terror, "An alligator!" Our amphibious friend's nerves were disturbed by the cry, and making a right-about-face, he started at a sharp pace for his native element. The people between him and the river scattered in all directions, while those behind attacked him with stones and bludgeons. The unfortunate visitor was knocked senseless. A big colored man tied a rope around his jaws and dragged him off grinning triumphantly at the thought of what a fine pair of water-proof boots he would have made out of the hide. The alligator was some ten feet long, and a rather dangerous customer to meet alone in a narrow path.