New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-08-11
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Modern Ratcatchers.

Rats and their eccentric freaks play
no inconsiderable part in German legen-
dairy lore. That their passion for music
will induce them to brave the utmost
peril we have learned from the "Rat-
catcher of Hamelin's" quaint narrative.
Poor Bishop Hattie discovered to his
cost what desperate enterprises they
were capable of undertaking when
stimulated to strenuous effort by the
promptings of outraged morality and of
an Unborn prediction for episcopal
flesh. Ever since they stormed that
luckless prelate's castle and picked his
bones in a highly memorable manner
they have loved to linger in the purlieus
of German bishops palaces, and cathe-
dral cities are their favorite abodes-at
least such is the belief in Catholic
provinces of the Fatherland. In Pader-
born, it seems, they have established
themselves so solidly that the municipal
authorities of that venerable stronghold
of the church have found it necessary
to adopt extreme measures for their ex-
pulsion. A short time ago the Burgo-
master, Herr Frankenberg, entered into
contract with the eminent ratcatcher,
Baum, by which the latter bound him.
self to deliver Paderborn of its rodent
population for the pecuniary considera-
ton of 60 marks. Every facility was
given to him by the citizens he enjoyed
free access alike to. cellar and garnet,
crypt and imminent room, and, after q
fortnight's remorseless campaign, dur
ing which thousands of victims sue
cumbed to his skill, he declared Pader-
born to be absolutely ratless and mousse
less. But he had to do with Burgo-
master wilier than any rat that ever
wore whiskers. This sagacious func-
donary forthwith issued proclamation
exhorting every burgess of Paderborn
still cognizant of the presence of rat or
mouse in his domicile to make declara-
ton thereof at the Town Hall within
four-and-twenty hours. So many citi-
zens appeared at the Rathhaus next
morning in response to this appeal that
the Town Council of Paderborn has
been celebrating ever since whether or
not Baum's fee shall be paid to him,
and, according to the latest accounts,
can not come to any decision upon this
knotty point. Meanwhile, Paderborn,
if not absolutely ratless," has got rid
of at least 80 per cent. of its rats with
out disbursing silver. Burgomaster
Frankenberg is clever man. London
Telegraph.
THE Sandusky Register, in its annual
review of the vineyard production of
Northern Ohio, says that of the million
and q half gallons of wine that was
made there this season, less than mil
lion gallons of grape juice was used.
It adds that dealers make no secret of
the fact that they use spirits, sugar and
water largely in the production of wine,
and claim that this is done, not so much
to make money as to suit the taste of
their patrons, who prefer the adulter.
ated product to the pure article.
SANITARY PROPERTIES OF TREES.-
Mr.. Kngzett finds that the sanitary
properties of the eucalyptus are not ow-
ing to its drainage powers, but to the
oil which is evaporated from its leaves.
The oil is practically identical with the
oil Of turpentine derived from pine trees,
and with most of the so-called essential
oils or perfumes. All these oils, when
subjected to the action of atmospheric
oxygen, produce peroxide of hydrogen
and q number of camphoraceous sub
stances having marked antiseptic char
acteristics. What is true of the euca-
lyptus is true also Of the pine, and on
an immensely larger scale, for pine for
ests are distributed freely over botl
hemispheres, and the oil Of turpentine,
which is q natural product of the pine,
underg0es the same chemical changes
in the atmosphere as the oil Of the Gu
calyptus.