The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1882-05-06

an get regular jobs at the Fifth avenue,
windsor, Brunswick, an Metropolitan
hotels. Hats In abundance ls not de
sirable."
He laid his plpo On the step again and
said, re6ectiyeIy:
That's as ugly a look,n' customer as I've
seen this many a day. He'll fight, but
III get him bare handed just to show you
the sport"
Another rat, much larger thar the first,
with scrawny legs and an emaciate1 body,
was standing by the hole he had just
emerged from, and trying 10 open tho
little wire door. When the little man ap-
preached him the rat slowly retreated, but
dld no! 60 as though frightened, as his
lat predecessor had, but rather as O savage
cur retreats, turning half around toward
his pursuer every few stops. When he
nad MAJ reached the corner lie stood ut bay.
Inc man edged up toward him, but be-
lore he got within Jumping distance the
| rat shot OF along tho wall. He was
driven back several times, and he became
ugller at every defeat, until at length the
llstle man was ready to spring at him,
when the rat made noisy squeak and
Jumped straight for his throat. ltboundcd
from the floor with a spring OF cxtraor-
dlnary strength. aud shot at the mans
throat as though driven from a cannon
with its teeth all showing and its long tai,
straight. The rat catcher threw up his
arm, hitting it savage blow, which drove
1t against tho wall, whence it fell to the
noor with thud. In an instant it got on
itS feet, and made another furious spring
ut the rat calcher's throat. This time ho
dodgcd 1t. The rat, when it camo to tho
noor then, started for it's hole, but, failing
TO get in once more, ranalong TO the corner.
Tue little man was circling about 1t, con-
stantly uttering the squeaking call through
h.s teeth.
sI'll get him this time" ho said calmly;
he's bad ono, but III get him."
he slowly approached the rat, which
was again Mt bay IN the corner, but whcn-
ever the animal sho wed any disposition to
jump he would retreat. These tactics
were kept up for some time, till the rat
started once more toward its hole. That
was the fatal step, for the instant it started
the catcher threw himself for ward and
pinned it with both hands to the floor.
Ills rccklcssncss In diving forward was as
remarkable as his success in always catch
ing the rat.
''Ah you big VILLAIN, you'll"
"Will yon keep away from herea"
"All right, sir. He won't hurt You now,
will you, me boyS" and lie gave tho beast
two or three vicious slaps before he dcpos-
tied it In tho bag with its fellow. "l'vc
tackled many, but he was as ugly a house
rat as l ever seen, an a man who don't
understand handlin' of 'em would he an.
to get hurt, sir. III show you now how
I catches the most Of 'em.''
The reporter noticed that nearly half a
dozen big rats were on the floor, huddlcd
behind tho harness closet. They had
sRnnfd t1'Nte OF the b holes unnoticed, and
the fight. The catcher took his long tongs.
and .crept toward them with the implement
opon and held we'll IN frcnt. Oae OF tho
rats started along tie wall, and the catcher
sprang after it and caught it by the tail as
it ran along with his big tongs, and held
1t dangling up to view. This was thrust
into the bag, and the others soon Joined it.
"Now wc'n have the pleasure of
waiLin'," observed the little man, as he
sprinkled more Of the thirst inspiring
powder in the holes, rellt his pipe, and,
turning the gus almost out, seated himself
on tue lower steps of the ladder and fell
into deep meditation. FJr an hour he sat
'Au', "ishooV oPIahlHEi aIll, "ulle lnC
reporter roasted, listened to the occasional
clicking of the little door and the monot-
onous Eattor Of the rats feet as they scam
pcred to and fro on the bare floor. When
the little man turned up the gas, there
was sghtl At least half hundred
black and brown little animals were send.
ding around on the floor. The rcpugnance
that mcn naturally feel for rats seemed 10
have no place IN the feelings of the stumpy
little rat catcher, who sailed into his work
with great vlgor. Olly twice did he en-
counter any opposition, aud then 1t was
short lived. AT the expiration of half an
hour they were all so leaking together IN
tho big bag-a turbulent mass of ra's.
llc went outside III tho yard, and brought
in little terrier to guard the place till
morning. and then, swinging the bag on
his shoulders, he went out into the street.
"What DO you do with them nll2" we
asked.
ii have number of dogs for trainin',
an they're very fond of rats.'
The little man went trudging uD the
street in tho early morning, with his huge
burden of scrambllng rats overshadowlng
his figure.