Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-07-05

few steps. When he had reached the
corner he stood at bay. The man edged
up toward him, but before he got within
jumping distance the rat shot off along
the wall. He was driven back. several
times, and he became uglier at every
defeat. until at length the little man was
just ready 10 spring at him, when the
rat made noisy squeak and jumped
straight for his throat. II bounded
from the floor with spring of extraor-
binary strength, and shot at the mans
IT, o,,s 4. as though driven from cannon,
With its teeth all showing and its long
tail straight, The rat-catcher threw ny
his arm, hitting it a savage blow, which
drove it against the wall, whence it
fell to the floor with thud. In an in
slant it got on its feet and made another
furious spring at the rat-catcher's throat.
This time he lodged 1T. The rat, when
it came to the floor then, started for
Its hole, but, failing to get in, once
more ran along to the corner. The lit:
tie man was circling about it, constant tly
uttering the squeaking call through his
teeth.
Ill get him this time." he said calm =.
iy; "he's bad one, but III get him. I"
He slowly approached the rat, which
was again at bay in the corner, bat
whenever the animal showed any dispo.
sition to jump he would retreat. These
tactics were kept up for some time, till
the rat started once more toward its
hole. This was the fatal step, for the
instant it started the catcher threw
himself forward aud pinned it with both
hands to the floor. His reckIessness in
diving forward was as remarkable as his
success in always catching the rat.
"Ah, you big villain, YOU"
"Will you keep it away from here ?"
"All right, sir. He won't hurt you
now, will you, me boyP" and he gave
the beast two or three vicious slaps be-
fore he deposited it in the bag with its
fellow. "Pve tackled many, hut he was
as ugly house rat as ever seen, an
man who don't understand handlin' of
'em would be apt to get hurt, sir. Ill
show you now how catch the most of
EN-"
The reporter noticed that nearly half
dozen big rats were on the floor, hud-
died behind the harness closet. They
had slipped out of the holes unnoticed,
and skurried araund for concealment
during the fight The catcher took his
long tongs, and crept toward them with
the implement open and held well in
front One of the rats started along tho
vail, and the catcher sprang after it and
caught it by the tail, as it ran along with
his big tongs, and held it dangling up to
view. This was thrust into the bag, and
the others soon joined it.
"Now we'll have the pleasure of wait
in" observed the little man, as he
sprinkied more Of the thirstinspiiiBg
powder in The holes, relit his pipe, and,
turning the gas almost out, seated him.
self on the lower steps of the ladder and
fell into deep meditation. For an hour
he sat thus, without speaking, and,
while the reporter roasted, listened to
the occasional clicking of the little doors
and the nonotonous patter Of the rats
feet as they scampered to and fro on the
bare floor. When the little man turned
up the gas there was sight AT least
half hundred black and brown little
animals were scudding around on the
floor. The repugnauce which men nat
urally feel for rats seemed to have no
place in the feelings cf the stumpy little
rat-catcher. who sailed iLto his work
with great vigor. Only twice did he en-
counter any opposition, and then it was
short. lived. At the expiration Of half
an hour they we're all squeaking together
in the big bag-a turbulent mass of rats.
He went outside in the yard and brought
in a little terrier to guard the place till
morning, and then, swinging the bag
ON his shoulders, he went out into the
street
"what do yon do with them all ?" we
asked.
"Ihave a number Of dogs in trainin',
and they're very fond Of rats.
The little man went trudging up the
street in the early morning. with his
huge burden Of scramblins rats ever
shadowing his figure.