The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-03-29

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 flume 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-n 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 and 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!" exclaimed Add, at
first glance. II 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.
ut doesn't feel very heavy" said he;
ssbut 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-just craek-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 a
mink. But on again raising the drop,
we saw that the captive was a mouse !!
There was nothing strange in that for
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 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,
butwhen he returned leading old Nance,
he seemed to think of the trap and
stopped a moment. Then he tied the
halter to the hitching- post and looked
under the mill.
As soon as he saw that the trap was
sprung, he hurried down the bank and
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 bank
with the trap in his arms.
.sHc thinks he's got the mink! Isn't
he pleased?n exclaimed Addison.
He walked very fast for him, with
the trap in his arms-almost dragging
old Nance along by the halter. Oh
course we were in 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 doing9'
give got the old feller!' 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 nown'
| By this time Nell had come rushing
up to tell us that grandfather had
caught the old mink, that we couldn'l
catch.
| We rushed down into the kitchen, and
there stood grandfather with the tral
in his arms.
"Just what I've always said, boys,
the old gentleman began, somewha
alphabetically, but with twinkle O
triumph in his eye, .'what I've always
said If man is trapping and acct
/ dentally finds game in his trap, it's |
work Of necessity and work OF massey
too, to take it out. For it might ge
away, if left till Monday; and theI
there's the misery of the poor beast suf
ferin' from hunger in the trap.
ssNow here's this mink. just fol
sport, thought I'd make a trap ant
try my hand on him-as used to do
So put out my trap yesterday after
noon, and 10 and behold, here he is
this morning! Caught him the frs
, thing! Now, boys, how shall we bes
, get him out and take off his little jack
ct p''
IL Grandmother suggested placing tn
trap in tub Of water and drowning thu
, animal, as the most humane method
but here Add, who had been biting hi
lip to keep from laughing. made sug
| gestion.
..I'll tell you shorter way, grand
| father. Take the trap into the kitchen
] entry and shut the doors SO that TIN
mink cannot get away. Then we vii
open it and you stand ready with clul
and knock him over when he jump
, out, and if you should not happen t.
! hit him the first blow he couldn't ge
, away
!, AS this would be the shorter way tn
plan was adopted, and we all tire
] went into the kitchen entry with tn
trap. Nell, who by this time began t
/ suspect something, stood peeping in at
crack of the inner door.
{ Grandfather had taken an old a,
: handle, and getting down on one kne
in front of the trap, raised it to strike
4 Gan ready. bovs!'' he cried out, no