The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-03-29

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 tlume gate shut off 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
eye; 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- day which
he was very strict in keeping sacred
when Add and | drove the cows to pas
ture, before breakfast, we improved the
opportunity to peep under the old mill
where the trap was.
ats sprungn exclaimed Add, at
first glance. Il am surprised. You
don't suppose he's really got that old
mink, do you?"
We went to the trap and examined
it anXiously. Then l 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 a crack-very cautiously.
Instantly Il little black nose was thrust
out, and we nervously pushed back the
drop.
Now a mink's nose is very peaked,
and at first glimpse we thought the
nose we had seen really was that of Il
mink. But on again raising the drop,
we saw that the captive was mouse
There was nothing strange in that for
the old mill was alive with mice. If
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 a 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 for meeting
and Sunday School; but we kept watch
over grandfather's movements from
the chamber window.
He did not look under the mill when
he passed on the way to the pasture.
but when he returned leading old Nance,
he seemed to think of the trap and
stopped moment. Then he tied the
halter to the hitching-post and looked
under the mill.
As soon rs he saw that the trap was
sprung, he hurried down the bank and
went under the mill How we wanted
to see what took placei
He was out of sight for some minutes;
then we saw him come up the bank
Win Inc Trap IN MS arms.
''He thinks he's got the mink! Isn't
he pleased?" exclaimed Addison.
He walked very fast for him, with
the trap in his arms-almost dragging
old Nance along by the halter OF
course we We're in Il state of supreme
exultation. Opening the chamber door,
we stood at the top of the stairs, to hear
what was said.
AS soon as grandfather could hitch
the old mare at the stable door, he
came into the kitchen with the trap.
"Why, father says grandmother,
''what are you doing?"
1--WE got the old feller!n he ex-
claimed. "The first night | sot for him,
too. I've got him, hard and fast here,
marin! Wonder what them boys will
say now!"
By this time Nell had come rushing
up to tell us that grandfather had
caught the old mink, that we couldn t
catch.
We rushed down into the kitchen, and
there stood grandfather with the trap
in his arms.
''Just what I've always said, boys"
the old gentleman began, somewhat
apologetically, but with twinkle of
triumph in his eye, ''what I've always
said. If man is trapping and acct
dentally finds game in his trap, it's q
work of necessity and work of massy,
too, to take it out. For it might get
away, if left till Monday; and then
there's the misery of the poor beast suf-
ferin' from hunger in the trap.
''Now here's this mink. Just for
sport, thought I'd make q trap and
try my hand on him-as l used to do.
So put out my trap yesterday after
noon, and 10 and behold, here he is,
this morning! Caught him the first
thing! Now, boys, how shall we best
get him out and take off his little Jack
ct ?"
Grandmother suggested placing the
trap in a tub of water and drowning the
animal, as the most humane method;
but here Add, who had been biting his
lip to keep from laughing, made a sug-
gestion.
I'm tell you shorter way, grand
father. Take the trap into the Kitchen
entry and shut the doors so that the
mink cannot get away. Then we will
open it and you stand ready with club
and knock him over when he Jumps
out, and if you should not happen to
hit him the first blow hn couIduit ornt