The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-03-21

compels me to state that the cheese
lparings are toe much for them, and
that they throw themselves on the re-
mains Of the breakfast by which the
prostrate Lothario 10 surrounded
The latter, hearing this sudden
munching, comes all at once to his
senses, and nibbles away with as
much gusto as before. An angry
blow Of the managsr's staff suffices,
however, to recall the actors TO theil
parts. Once more the gay Lotharie
falls inssnsible, and the two ladies
laying aside their jealousy at this af-
Aictinx spectacle, throw their arms
about him, caress him tenderly, ut
tering plaintive squeaks, and FORUM
| ately succeed iu restoring him 10 con
sciousness, when he turns from one to
the otter in great emil arrassment, not
knowing what to say to either.
At this critical moment, the little
door at the bottom of the stage flies
open again, and in marches great,
tall, fierce looking rat, with terrible
whiskers and a dare devil air, whose
effect is enchanced by his bandit like
costume, and the tremendous leaden
sword that hangs at his side, looking,
ior all the world as though it had
been detached from between the legs
Of a trooper in some Nuremburg toy.
This formidable parsonage is the hus-
band of one of the two ladies; he has
sought her in vain in every other quar-
ter, and has now tracked her to the
lodgings Of the recovered Lothario.--
But instead Of testifying his Joy at 50
happy a reunion, as well behaved
husband should do, the i'll bred fel-
low flies into passion, and not con-
tent in pummelling her in true cen-
jugal style, he next rushes upon the
Lothario, who, with the other lady,
has just set to work again upon the
cheese parings.
A fresh tap from the managers
stick brings these two back to their
duty; and a general row now ensues,
the two gentlemen going it Justify be
tween themselves, and the ladies do
ing a little on their own accounts
The Lothario, however, has the worst
of it; and is killed by thrust Of the
irightful leaden sword. The victsr,
alarmed at the extent Of his victory,
and having probably the fear OF the
police before his eyes, makes of with
all speed through the side door.
The two ladies then attempt to dive
at the crumbs, but this irregular pro
ceeding being stopped BY rap Of the
staff. they both scuttle Of through the
doors aforesaid, and presently return
with coroner, who marches gravely
up to the corpse, feels his pulse,
shakes his head, and draws from his
pocket paper stating that the dead
man is really and truly dead aud may
be buried, which paper be delivers to
the afflicted ladies. He is now about
to withdraw, but the crumbs are to
great temptation, and he begins an
exulting nibble, in which the ladies
Join. But at a sharp rap from the
managerial staff, all these spring to
their-hind legs, and disappear:
The ladies soon reappear, pushing
before them a coffin, placed on wheels
for their especial convenience; and
the defunct, wishing no doubt to spare
them the labor of lifting him into it,
gallantly jumps into the coffin OF his
own accord. and the ladies draw a
pail snugly over their deceased ia
vorite.
The little door now opens again,
and in comes a procession OF twelve
other rats, attired as priests, IN robe
and surplice, carrying a crucitiX and
lighted tapers. They march slowly
towards the bier, but are unfortunate
ly too sensible to the charms Of cheese
parings, on which they throw them
selves eagerly, on oil four, dropping
their tapers, OF course they are join Oil
ed instanter by the two ladies. The
dead man, too, hearing the gathering
and pattering, and guessing what is
going on, puts his sharp nozzle ont
from under the pail, and seeing the
fun, springs out Of the coffin and joins
in til interlud The delight and
merriment of the audience at this
conical melee know no bounds; they
clap. and cheer, and call to the rats,
encouraging them to make the best
of the chance. But the manager Is
furious at seeing the most striking
situation in the piece on the point OF
falling through, owing to the greed,
ness Of his troop (who certainly do
seem to be remarkably hungry and
he rsps a series of such menacing
blows on the floor that the actors
scramble up on their hind legs, and
resume their respective parts.
The defunct, who has stretched hin
self at full length on the floor, is lifted
up with infinite labor by the ladies,
who put hin, into the coffin, and csver
hlm with the pail. The priests PICK
up their torches as well as themselves
take their places about the bier, and
the melancholy cortege makes its
way across the stage and the curtain
drops amidst the plaudits Of the spec
tAtors.
The docility of these animals, and
precision with which; when not under
the distracting influence Of the cheese
parings, they 60 through with their
performances. are really most marvel.
ous;I and one cannot help wondering
after Witnessing this most curious
sight, if such results can be obtained
with creatures 80 ulpromislng as
these, what might not be accomplish
ed by pains and ingenuity in educa-
ting, o.her aud more manageable
tribes Of the crestions
It would be impossible to describe
the smazement and delight Of the Ju
venile spectators Of this novel s4hlbi-
ton. They have been Laughing, clap
ping, and keeping up q running com
orl- a III fhT0nOn