The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-04-30

mouSe-tfap before breakfast. 1t was a
cheap affair, costing but sixpence. But
it was bored for three mice, ,sand she game
back with an air of triumph, confident
that it was good fer three mice a night,
and would thus stand picket over her sin
less slumbers.
As she had no cheese, she b4ited it
with bread ), and though removed search
of the two chums resulted In the discov-
cry of no mouse hole, Nancy relied upon
the trap to seize the intruder that night,
and retired with comparative ealmness,
leaving the inSsfious apparatus in the
middle of the room, where even Il blind
mouse would be liable to find it. She
watched long, till exhausted nature entrap-
ped 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.
at must BE q. poor trap, you didn't
set it right!'' Said Betsey, snappishly,
resetting it. sThe 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 inter-
walls, Miss Poody heard, or fancied she
heard, the ominous noise /; but Betsey was
obstinate, and the ira ap remained unsprung; !;
and Nancy, declaring that her health was
declining, complaine to Mrs. Prink, the
landlady, vowing that either the house
was haunted, or infested with rats or
mice.
Mrs Prink Indignantly declared that
such a thing was never said OF her house
before, and entered the room and made a
thorough search for mouse holes herself J;
but all to 10 purpose, though baggage and
bedding were included in the noisy and
fussy investigation.
One Of the male boarders assisted, and
after suggesting the propriety of stopping
the keyhole, and keeping the stove tight,
assured them that they, would be in less
jeopardy if they should have little bel'
handy. during the night, and ring it
whenever they heard the little persecu-
tor.
'.It is a sure cure for mice, in short
time" said he "They hate thesound of
bell. AIy uncle has tried it."
With much rhankfulness, Miss Nancy
promised to adopt this easy plan !; aud
for want of IA smaller, borrowed the large
hand bell used by Mrs. Priuk to summon
her boarders to meals.
s:N hat it is TO be pestcred with nervous
old maids :" smeered the 1andlady, irrita-
ted 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 !" worried Miss Poody
"What 1t is to sleep in the same bed
with wakeful woman - thought Miss
Betsey Daw.
"What it is to be bothered by two
noisy chattering women all night, right
under ones bed room ~ grumbled an old
bachelor, who had long been annoyed by
The screams and alterations of the two
spinsters beneath, and had vowed to be
avenged on them in some way.
The intro duciion of the bel, which was
now regul arly heard two or three times a
night, and the loud responsive laughter cf
the boalders all over the house, who
knew the clamorous jangle to be the sig
nal oi alright, increased the nightly dis
turbances of tie two excited chums aud
when. at lat, Miss Poody, finding that
the added .introduction of monstrous
rat-trap was Of no more avail than the
bell, secured the services of two tom cats
for her room, aud those feline monsters
fought like fends in the dark, most OF
the night, the combined array of disagree
able noises induced Mrs. Prink to believe
in the idea advanced by some il-natured
body, that the old maids had some spite
against her that there was no mouse IN
the room and that the couspirators were
evidently determined to render her house
nuisance, and disgust all sler boarders
away.
"I'll sleep in the room with them my
SELF said the suspicious hostess, land
I'll see, then, for myself, whether there IS
really the first sign Of a mouse, and II the
Nightmares are humbug or IONA .tiddy.
She accordingly acted upon this shrewd
conception, and ensconced herself on a
sofa which stood in jog of the room
much to the sincere relief OF Miss Poody
And 10 the dark they now watched to-
gether, Miss Daw treating them to two
nightmares and powerful set or snores
before midnight came.
At about the dread time s<when church
yards yawn," Miss Daw having reiapsed
into temporary silence, both Mrs. Prink
and Miss Poody heard the long sought fol
sound.
"Hes come, or coming. There's tht
mouse - cried Miss I'oody, in louC
! whisper.
/ 81 hear him" responded the landlady