Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-04-15
" Yes" replied Frisk.

Pink-Nose."
eyes" said Frisk. s6 fH8
"And what o'clock?" asked Pa Pink
Nose.
As soon as the house is quiet" said
Frisk.
Let me give you piece of advice"
said Pa Pink-Nose. "Don't invite any
rats from other houses. There will be
too many of them, and, besides, the cats
may hear of it. Pve been over these
houses. There are pantries in them all.
Let the other rats gnaw through into
their own pantries"
Every well. / will tell Nibble about
it," said Frisk. You'll Gomez"
ooh, yes" said Pa Pink-Nose; land
more than that" said he to himself, "I'n
go n0lo and look at that ham"
Then he went softly down through
the wall till he came to the pantry.
Nibble had finished his work and
was just going away; so Pa Pink-Nose
waited till he was out of sight, and then
cautiously approached the opening and
looked through.
GA ham, indeedp' he exclaimed, in a
transport of delight. Now Pa Pink
Nose was very hungry, and, besides, he
was scamp; so he did not hesitate
moment, but walked right in and began
to help himself to everything. twas now
morning, but he was too hungry to think
of that. Unfortunately, while he was so
busy, Betty came in upon him suddenly,
so that he had only time to hide behind
a jug. She saw the hole in the wall, and
quickly laid brick against it, so as to
close it entirely.
q must tell Pathrick, or the rats will
be in me panthry," said Betty, as she
went away.
Pa Pink-Nese saw the brick with dis
may, and began to think he would have
to gnaw fresh hole in order to make his
escape. But every time he moved he
seemed to hear some one coming, so he
decided at last to hide until night, and
then try his luck. In the course of the
day the cheese was carried away. This
was disappointment, as it was men
toned by Frisk as an especial attrac-
ton.
Later Patrick came with his bits of
brick and mortar, and filled the opening
so completely that Pa Pink-Nose was in
despair.
How shall ever get out?" said he to
himself. There's way through the
Mushroom if | dared try.it | am glad
there's no cat around"
But it happened there was a small dog
visiting the family by the name of Tip.
Tip knew the pantry and was fond of
the pantry. Ee liked to go there to
sniff the nice viands. He went there for
instant he stepped inside the door
change came over him. He pricked up
his ears, such as they were. He showed
his teeth, sharp and white. He said to
himself, 81 smell a ratr' and in the
twinkling of an eye Pa Pink Nose was
stretched upon the pantry floor, dead
rat Nothing more to be done but to bury
him in the ash-barrel
On the other side of the wall all was
excitement. The party-no one could
think of anything else. There was a
poem tC be read on the occasion, all
done but to find rhyme for ham, All
the whiskers were nicely combed and
the little silky ears rubbed till they
shone, and when the house was still and
it was quite dark any cat might nave
through the walls, led by Nibble and
Frisk
"This way" said Frisk, as he guided
the lovely Miss Silk Ear
81 think / smell the cheese" said
young Pink-Nose.
"There is an odd SMELL" said the
Widow Sharp-Tooth.
Wait q moment" said Nibble. "Let
me see how it is"
AS he turned the corner a strange.
damp odor came to meet him. "This is
not cheese" said he to himself, "nor
ham. 1t is-mortar! Wet mortar,
Frisk," said he to his friend, who APP
peared at that moment, {" it is all over.
They've filled up the hole"
Don't tell me SOP said Frisk, as he
came forward to examine it,
Whats the matter?" cried the merry
company. Is the hole stoppedsn
Il won't give it up!" said Nibble, and
he began to gnaw frantically at the wall;
but wet mortar and brick is bad gnaw-
ing and he was soon obliged to stop.
For moment all was silent.
" Never mind" said Papa Silk-Ear.
" 1t can't be helped. Come to my nest,
and | will give you the best have"
ooh, Nibble," said Frisk, "there are
the squash seeds, and plenty of them,
too"
"Pll gnaw hole there yet and have
that ham, said Nibble, deeply cha
grined.
MAKE the best of it now anyway"
said Frisk.
"Oh, yes" said the guests. "Never
mind. Squash seeds make very good
FEAST
Then thew all seated thor,eo,,~oa