The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-05-24

favOraDic pOsltlou. AnSiS r. |
corn-mill-a small, rude structure ior
neighborhood use-situated on the
brook, forty or fifty rods from our
house. This mill stood directly over
the brook, and beneath the sill, on the
lower side, there was an open space
where one could look in and see the
water-wheel and lower mill-gear.
Grandfather had set his box-trap
under the mill, close to the old wheel,
where the fiume gate shut oil the water; |
for he shrewdly conjectured that the
mink, in his trips up and down the
brook, would be stopped at this point,
and that he might, while playing about,
enter the trap. We examined the trap
and noted its position with no friendly
eve; but am glad to say were too hon
orable to do anything toprevent grand
fathers success in his attempt to show
his own skill at our expense.
The next day-Sunday-a day which
he was very strict in keeping sacred
when Add and l drove the COWS to pas
ture, before breakfast. we improved the
opportunity to peep under the Old mil
where the trap was.
.Its sprung!' exclaimed Add, at
first glance. Il am surprised. You
don't suppose he's really got that Old
mink, do your
We went to the trap and examined
it anxiously Then | stirred it little;
and then Add took it up and shook it.
at doesn't feel very heavy" said he;
"but there's something in it; can hear
it scratch. ;,
Then we shook the trap again, and
placed it on the ground and raised the
drop-iust crack-very cautiously.
Instantly little black nose was thrust
out, and we nervously pushed back the
drop.
| Now mink's nose is very peaked,
and at first glimpse we thought the
nose we had seen really was that of n
mink. But on again raising the drop,
we saw that the captive was a mouse !!
There was nothing strange in that 1or
the old mill was alive with mice. II
ever two boys were delighted, l sup
pose we were. We sat down on the
damp stones and laughed until our sides
ached. :,
..Now don't speak about it, said
Add. Don't say word-not even TO
Nell. And we will see what grand
father will do when he finds the trap
sprung"
So trying to look as unconscious as
possible, we sat down to breakfast.
After Scripture reading and family
PRAYERS, to which at least an hour was
given on Sunday mornings, grand.
father took the salt-dish and halter and
went to the pasture to catch the old
} mare. to take the family to church.
Meanwhile grandmother sent us
boys up stairs to get ready Tor meeting
and Sunday School; but we kept watch
over grandfather's movements from
the chamber window.
: He did not look under the mill wher
he passed on the way to the pasture
butwhen he returned leading old Nance
} he seemed to think of the trap ant
stopped a moment Then he tied thu
, halter to the hitching-post and looked
= under the mill.
3 As soon as he saw that the trap wa
+, sprung, he hurried down the bank AM
e went under the mill. How we wante'
5 to see what took place!
He was out of sight for some minutes
e then we saw him come up the BAN
: with the trap in his arms.
..He thinks he's got the mink! Ism
4 he pleased?" exclaimed Addison.
Y He walked very fast for him, wit
d the trap in his arms-almost draggin,
: old Nance along by the halter. U
:, course we were in a state OF suprem
g exultation. Opening the chamber dool
9 we stood at the top Of the stairs, to hea
q what was said.
g As soon as grandfather could hitc
t the old mare at the stable door, b
came into the kitchen with the trap.
!. "Why, father.' says grandmother
q sswhat are you doing?"
a ..rye got the old fellerr' he e.
y claimed. "rhe first night sot for hin
1t too. I've got him, hard and fast herr
marin! Wonder what them boys wi
I say now!" -,
o By this time Nell had come rushin
7. up to tell us that grandfather ha
caught the old mink, that we cOuldn
1i catch.
70 We rushed down into the kitchen. an
Is there stood grandfather with the ira
N in his arms.
s.Just what I've always said, boys,
le the old gentleman began, somewh
* apologetically, but with a twinkle
in triumph in his eye, "what I've alwa,
said. If a man is trapping and acc
at dentally finds game in his trap, it's
re work of necessity and work of mass
~ too, to take it out. For it might g
le away, if left till Monday; and thu
there's the misery of the poor beast ST
hit ferin' from hunger in the trap.
ok ssNOw here's this mink. just I
ed sport, thought I'd make a trap a,
ps try my hand on Mm-as l used to d
et So put out my trap yesterday aftt
re noon. and 10 and behold, here he
ng this morning! Caught him the iii
en- thing! Now, boys, how shall we be
get him out and take off his little JAG
x ct ?'
We Grandmother suggested placing t
90 trap in tub of water and drowning t
is, animal, rs the most humane metho
at but here Add. who had been biting
re. lip to keep from laughing. made su
We pestiOn.