Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-09-13

a TOUGH STORY.-A very, very tough
story in which a chicken, a rat, a cat, a dog
and boy were the principal characters, was
going the rounds in East End, Louisville,
recently. The story is vouched for by good
authority, and on this account is all the
more remarkable. Mr.. Sam McCurdy was
sitting meath the shade Of tree in the
back yard Of his residence on Clay, near
Franklin street, talking to some friends,
when his attention was called to hen with
brood Of young chickens and a large rat
that had just emerged from its hole and
was quietly regarding the young chickens,
with the prospect of Il meal in view. AS
the rat came from his hole the house-cat
awoke from her afternoon nap and caught
sight of the rat. CrOuching low, she await
ed developments, and stood prepared to
spring upon his ratship. At the appear
ance Of hisancient enemy, the cat, a Scotch
terrier which had been summing itself in
the woodshed, pricked up his ears and qui-
city made for the place where the cat stood.
At this moment Il boy named Andy Quaid
came upon the scene. The chickens were
not cognizant of being watched by the rat,
nor did the rat see the cat, nor the feline
the dog, who had not noticed the coming of
the boy. a little chick wandered too nigh
and he was seized by the rat, which was in
turn pounced upon by the cat, and the cat
was caught in the mouth Of the dog. The
rat would not cease his hold on the chicken,
and the cat, in spite of the shaking she was
getting from the dog, did not let 60 the rat
1t was fun for the boy, and in high glee he
watched the contest and the struggles of
each of the victims. 1t seemed to him that
the rat was about to.escape after time, and,
seizing stone, he hurled it at the rodent.
The aim was not good, and the stone struck
the dog right between the eyes. The ter.
rier released his grip on the cat and fell
over dead. 1t had breathed it's last before
the cat in turn let go the rat and turned
over and died. The rat did not long sur
vive the enemy, and by the side of the al
ready dead chicken he laid himself down
and gave up the ghost. The owner of the
dog was so angry at his death that he is said
to have come near making the story COM
plete by killing the boy that killed the dog
that shook the cat that caught the rat that
bit the chicken on Clay street
FOUL AIR IN HOUSES.-If the air of Il
room smells sweet there is apt to be no
consideration of the danger which may still
lurk in the atmosphere in gases and organ
| ic impurities whose natural OuOrS are sub
dued by something stronger. When foul
gases cannot be detected by the nose, de-
| fective drains will not be repaired, much
less examined for hidden defects. The only
safety from sewer gas is to bar it out of the
house; and when this can be done so easily
and 50 positively, it is fairly criminal that
it should not be done. AS to foul air, there
need be none in house except such as
comes from the breath, and caused by the
excretions of the skin; this may be, also,
quickly and easily removed by simple
Ventilation through a CRATE or stove. There
need be no refuse within the four walls of Il
house, nor, indeed near it, without the
walls, if people would respect the plain re-
quirements of decency. AS to the "fungus
gerns'-whatever they may be-dry walls,
dry foundations and dry rooms will prevent
their growth. As to dittusing 'disinfecting
agents" disinfection in destroying the germ
of disease means the destruction of human
as we'll as germ life. Novapor will destroy
| the germs, or poison, OF small i-pox, scarlet
fever or diphtheria, which may be supported
by sewer gas, that will not also destroy the
person that breathcS it.