Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-04-25
A Mouse Killed by Music.
BY REV. s v. WHITE.

1t was in the spring of 1872, when |
was pursuing my studies mt Centre Col
leege, Danville, Ky. At one time during
the fall previous an attempt was made by
some miScreanLs to burn the new and
splendid college building, which was then
advancing toward completion. The das-
tard attempt was failure. through lack
ct kindling wood, to give it II good start.
For the security of the building | was
given II small room in it, where soon |
took up my abode. ImaginationS of the
building burning down over my head
some night, while asleep, gave me few
wakeful nights. Furnished with IN old
carbine by Mr.. - J. | loaded it two
thirds full of beans, corn, and fine shot.
With that behind the door l felt quite safe,
and began to sleep soundly. Being alone,
became interested in II couple of mice
which frequented my room. They lived
In y small closet adjoining, and when
IN the evenings would play on my violin
the little creatures would come forth from
their hiding-pIace and sit down in the
shadow of the stove, on their launches,
holding up their paws like squirrel cat
ing. At first thought they were eating,
but soon found, to my surprise, they were
not eating, but only listening. TO be
certain of this, would occasionally stop
playing, and make an attempt to move,
when they would scamper away, but re-
turn again as soon us commenced play
ing. Having chased them in and played
them out rs often as five Or six times in
one evening, and they always taking the
same position every time, became thor
oughly convinced that it was the music
they were after. began to tell friends
oil the amusement was having with the
mice. They would all smile IN incrodu-
lous answer. l played for my little COM
panionS some three weeks, and they en-
joyed it so much, aud so did |. often no.
ticed two things:
l. That high, piercing notes or sounds
seemed to give them pain: us evidence of
this they would turn their heads to one
side, and shrug their shoulders.
2. That having remained few min
Iltes under the sound or influence of mu-
sic, upon approaching them, they seemed
stupid. slowly running away.
During the three weeks playing for
them, one Of them attempted more than
once to crawl up my pants leg while was
playing. One evening invited some
gentlemen 10 my room to play with me,
and witness The cnpers Of the mice. The
gentlemen having arrived, and we were
all seated around the room, turned the
light OF the lamp low, and said: d" Boys,
be quiet now through the whole scene,
without speaking IL word nor laughing
ont, and I'll call my mice out and let You
see what they'll do. In moment all
was still. | began to play, softly, the
Nattali Waltz, Presently the mice came
and took their usual position on the floor
holding up their little paws. This per.
tormance vas so funny, they all laughed
right out. 1t was now proposed that We
all play. We bad four inslruments-lwc
violins, flute and yioloncrllo We play
ell one piece, and it seemed to have IL new
charm for the music. 1t was agreed ther
that we play four pieces through wilhou
stopping. This would take about ter
minutes, or more. The word was given
and we were off. Presently the mice ap
peared for the last time to perform then
TRACE y. When the pie es We're all play
ed through, all was silence again. Afte
few moments of perfect quiet, made Il
noise with my foot on the floor. The mic,
were motionless. rose and advanced
toward them, when one of them, crawlet
stapiGly and slowly away; the O. her
carefully placed on my open hand ant
carried it to the light, and while we wer
yet looking at it sitting on my hand, i
dropped over dead. It's mate never say
after that evening g.-Interior.