The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-04-24

near the last OF It. "
1t may be surmised, therefore, that
the old gentleman did not have our
most fervent wishes for the success of
his trapping. So much had been said
that we awaited the completion of his
trap with some anxiety; and watched
the bank of the brook continually.
At length one Saturday afternoon we
discovered his trap. set for the mink
He had shown skill in placing it in a
favorable position. There was an old
corn.mill "a small, rude structure for
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 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-a day which
he was very strict in keeping sacred
when Add ns1.ru / drove the cows to pas
ture, before breakfast, we improved the
opportunity to peep under the old mill
where the trap was.
''It's sprung!p exclaimed Add. at
first glance. II 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 | 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-Fery cautiously.
Instantly 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
hOoc VIC Hdu SSCu ISdlll was bld1 VI ~
mink. But on again raising the drop,
we saw that the captive was 4 mouse !
There was nothing strange in that for
the old mill was alive with mice. II
ever two boys were delighted, I sup
pose we were. We sat down on the
damp stones and laughed until our sides
ached. .dM
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. s'a
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 wher
he passed on the way to the pasture
butwhen he returned leading old Nance
he seemed to think of the trap anG
stopped a moment. Then he tied tht
halter to the hitching post and looket
under the mill.
As soon as he saw that the trap wa:
sprung, he hurried down the bank anC
went under the mill. How we wanted
to see what took place!
He was out of sight for some minutes
then we saw him come up the banl
with the trap in his arms.
''He thinks he's got the mink Ism
he pleased?'' exclaimed Addison.
He walked very fast for him, will
the trap in his arms almost dragging
old Nance along by the halter. o
course we were in state of suprem,
J. exultation. Opening the chamber door
we stood at the top of the stairs, to hea,
} what was said. .F..sf
AS soon as grandfather could hitcl
{ the old mare at the stable door, b,
came into the kitchen with the. trap.
"Why, fatherw says grandmother
sswhat are you doine?'' Fi s,fE
.Tve got the. old fellerr' he, ex
claimed "'rhe first night sot for him
too. I've got him, hard and fast here
marm! Wonder what them boys vii
say nowrn
| By this time Nell had come rushin.
J up to tell us that grandfather hat
caught the old mink, that We couldn
, catch.
, We rushed downinto the kitchen, an,
/ there stood grandfatl@r. with the ira
in his arms.
"Just what I've always said, boys,
} the old gentleman began, somewha
} apologeticallE, but with twinkle Q
triumph in his eye, what I've alway
said. If a man is trapping and acci
dentally finds game in his trap, it's
} work of necessity and work of massy
| too, to take it out. For it might ge
away, if left till Monday; and the
/ there's the misery of the poor beast SUI
) ferin' from hunger in the trap.
''Now here's this mink. Just fo
sport, l thought I'd make a trap an
try my hand ON him--as / used to dc
: SO put out my trap yesterday after
5 noon, and 10 and behold, here he is
) this morning! Caught him the frs
1.