New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-07-04


ing but sixpence. But it was bored for three
mice, and she came back with an air Of tr,
nmph, confident that it was good for three
mice that night, and would thus stand picket
over her sinless slumbers.
As she had no cheese, she baited it with
bread; and though renewed search of the
two chums resulted in the discovery Of nc
mouae-hole, Nancy relied upon the trap ia
seize the intruder that night, and retired with
comparative calmncss leaving the ingenious
apparatus in the middle Of the room, where
even blind mouse would be liable to find it
She watched long, till exhausted nature en-
trapped her into doze, when suddenly she
started, for she had heard it spring.
Instantly, she awoke her snoring chum
who reluctantly rose and lighted the lamp
The trap was indeed sprung, but no mouse
was to be seen.
1T must be poor trap, or you didn't set it
right said Betsey, snappish'y, rc-setting it,
The least jar will set these cheap affairs going
And out went the light again, and in went
she.
For two or three such nights, at intervals,
Miss Poody heard, or fancied she heard, the
omnibus noise; bat Betsey was obstinate, and
the trap remained unsprung; and Nancy, de-
claring that her health was declining, COM
planned to Mrs. Prink, the landlady, vowing
that either the house was haunted, or infested
with rats or mice.
Mrs. Prink Indignantly declared that such
thing was never said Of her house before,
and entered the room and made through
search for mouse-ho!es herself but all to no
purpose though baggage and bedding were
included in the noisy and fussy investigation.
One of the male boardcrs assisted, and af-
ter suggesting the propriety Of stopping the
and keeping the stove tight assured
them that they would be ia less jeopardy if
they should have little bell handy, during
the night, and ring it whenever they heard
the little prosecutor.
Itis sure cure for mice, in short time
said he. They hate the soand of bell. Ny
uncle has tried it,
With much thankfulness, Miss Nancy
promised to adopt this easy plan; and for
want of smaller, borrowed the large hand.
bell used by Mrs. Pink to summon her board.
ers to meals.
Whatit is to be pestercd with nervous old
maids sneered the land'ayy, irritated at the
trouble proceeding from the affair, and the
fuss made by the boarders on account of it.
What it is to live in house where there
are mice y worried Miss Poody
What it is to sleep in the same bed with
wakeful woman ! thought Miss Betsey Daw.
what it is to be bothered by two noisy,
women all night, right under ones
bedroom grumbled an old bachelor, who
had long been annoyed by the screams and
alterations of the two spinisters beneath, and
had vowed to be avenged on them in some
way.
The introduction of the hell, which was
now regularly heard two or three times a
night, and loud, responsive laughter of the
boarders all over the house, who knew the
,lamorous jangle to be the signal of alright,
the nightly disturbances of the two
excited chums; and when, at last, Miss Poo
dy, finding that the added introduction of
rat-trap was ofno more avail than
The bell, secured the services of two tom-cats
FOR her rom, and those feline monsters fought
ike fends in the dark, most of the night, the
array of fdisagreeable noises induced
Mrs. Prink to believe in the idea advanced
by some ill-natured body, that the old maids
had some spite against her that she was the
victim Of hoax that there was no mouse
IN the room and that the conspirators were
evidently determined to render her house
nuisance, and disgust all her boarders away
1'll sleep in the room with them myself
'aid the suspicious hostess, and Ill see, then
Tor myself whether there is really the first
sign Of mouse, and if the nightmares arc
humbug or bony yfddly.'
She accordingly acted upon this sArewd
and ensconced herself on sofa
which stood in jog Of the room-mu,h to
he relief of Miss Poody. And in the dark
hey now watched together, Miss Daw treat.
ng them to two Nightmares and powerful
yet of snores before midnight came.
At about the dread time when church.
yards yawn,' Miss Daw having relapsed into
temporary silence, both Mrs. Prink and Miss
Poody heard the long sought-for sound.
He's come, or coming There's the mouse p
cried Miss Poody, in loud whisper.
4 hear him. responded the landlady, soft
y. Don't move for the present.
But Miss Poody, emboldeaed by the pres
,ncs Of third party, and anxious to strike
light in time, to convince her, rose softly
md crept toward the lamp, near the landla-
ly, just at the moment when that person.
hslf-risen from the sofa, felt something light |
Ind cool passing over her expectaat counte-