Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1876-09-27

DO RATS REAsON?-We answer yes.
Connected with our house, at the end OF
the kitchen, is partly finished shed; and
as builders will sometimes do, an oppor-
unity was left for rats to communicate
with various parts Of the house as well us
to find ingress and egress to the garden.
In this shed, where wood and coal and
various other things are kept. stands an
earthen pot. into which soap grease is
thrown with the intention of making it in
to soft soap when a sufficient quantity
should be obtained. We have sometimes
wondered why the pot was SO long in be-
iny filled. At last it was found that large
rats were visitors at night and helped
themselves to all the luscious bits they
could find. An inch board, six inches
square was placed over the top. but with
no effect. The grease was still missed.
This cover was replaced several times and
as often removed by the rats. which, if APP
proached suddenly. would be found prey
ing upon the grease.
After placing other things of Il more SUBJ
stantial nature over the top without sue
cess, L marble slab. weighing three and 4
half pounds, was placed rs u cover over
the grease. Now, we thought, the grease
is safe. But what was our astonshment
to find this removed just far enough to
admit the head of the rat, and the grease
was still missing We replaced the stone
with one side against :. partition, SO that it
could not be moved in that direction. The
next morning we found the slab pushed
entirely off, and it had fallen upon the
bench below, and the grease eaten is
usual. Then we replaced the slab, put
the pot under another shelf and wcdyed
it tightly by a strawberry box full Of vari-
Gus articles We then said to ourselves,
We've got you this time. sure; now We'll
save the grease and the rats may 60 hun
CRY" One night passed all right and we
chuckled over our victory. But what was
our establishment the second morning after
to lind that the box, stone and all had gone
down with :: crash to the bench below, and
the grease devOured. 4 broken looking
glass and frame. that had been discarded
and stood behind this earthen vessel, WI,
also among the rubbish below. 1t truly
seemed as though they must have taken ex-
ira pains to 90 behind this and sent it
down with the rest. This looked more
like deliberate mischief The rest seemed
to be determination to conquer and get Il
delicious supply Of food.-Stiem Observer,
A GIRLS Picnic. = The girls got up {;
hen picnic last week, and had a glorious
time of it altogether. They had lots OF
tea and sugar, and milk, (Which All go'
>our). but no matches, and plenty of pick
les, sponge cake and butter, but no bread
Add to this that each of the girls got hel
mother to let her bring a roast turkey, SC
is to astoniSh the rest of the girls and
show that She could do things in style, and
that they had no knives and forks, and
though lots of plates, no drinking utensils
it is not difficult to that their commits.
.ariat was we'll organized, and 4 source o.
much harmony pleasure aud satisfaction
to All concerned in its preparation. After
several lifelong qlarrcls and such com
men;s as " don't care ..Iou're iu,
a. mean As dirt" well. it wasn't my
fault anyway" they made a frugal rep;t>
Of dismcmberei turkey. cod water, pickle:
and sponge cake, and then decided tC
amu>t themselves rs best they could for the
remainder of the day. One girl undertoob
to fish, and having put on her gloves in
troduced u hook to her worm. but the terc,
animal gave a S,IuirIn, and with u territi,
yell >hr dropped the wild beast right down
the back of a friend and Young companion
dear. who was sitting beneath. The f. AM
Y. {. d. went into active mysteries. and III,
author OF the tragedy impalci her thumb
on the ti-hhook. and tainted At the sight "
blood. After this one of the girls >trppe'
into a swamp about half way up to h"
ears. and another Got a beetle into her ear
+ and 4 third untArthrd Il hurriI snake sever
| inches long and while Il devoted mcmbc
, OF the excursion WAS STOPPING down to col
lrct Il specimen of that rare and vtluab,
plant. the sorrel Mr. kelloe : mcrino ran
stole up N her, and butttI her over a >cvcI
rallied fence. Then they Wen, home t
lind ont what WIS good for >unburns.
De>putch.