A "Thousand- Mile TValk 



one big fellow that was caught young and was 

 partially civilized and made to work in harness. 



Many good people believe that alligators 

 were created by the Devil, thus accounting for 

 their all-consuming appetite and ugliness. But 

 doubtless these creatures are happy and fill the 

 place assigned them by the great Creator of 

 us all. Fierce and cruel they appear to us, but 

 beautiful in the eyes of God. They, also, are 

 his children, for He hears their cries, cares for 

 them tenderly, and provides their daily bread. 



The antipathies existing in the Lord's great 

 animal family must be wisely planned, like 

 balanced repulsion and attraction in the min- 

 eral kingdom. How narrow we selfish, con- 

 ceited creatures are in our sympathies! how 

 blind to the rights of all the rest of creation! 

 With what dismal irreverence we speak of our 

 fellow mortals! Though alligators, snakes, etc., 

 naturally repel us, they are not mysterious 

 evils. They dwell happily in these flowery 

 wilds, are part of God's family, unfallen, un- 

 depraved, and cared for with the same species 

 [98] 



