Sharp County record., 1885-07-30
A GOOD MOTHER.
The True Story of a Mouse's Care for Her
Helpless Little Ones.

The True Story of MOuse's Care for Her
Helpless Little Ones.
In the composing-room-the room in
which the type is set for the Christian
Upi0n-are a half dozen mice, which
are so domesticated that they run be-
tween the feet of the compositorS and
pick up the crumbs which are strewn
on the floor. The compOsitorS made a
daily practice of throwing parts OF their
lunches to them, and they became so
tame that they would come up to the
mems hands, and eat bread therefrOm.
They climb up on the cases, and walk
over the types, crawl up the men S
coats, which hang on pegs on the wall,
get INTO the pockets, and inspect things
generally. l have taken one from the
sleeve Of my overcoat, allowed it to
stand on my hand, run up my arm and
Jump from my shoulder on to the case
without it showing the least fear or
concern for its. safety.
But it is not the tamenesS of these
mice am going to tell about. 1t is of
the intelligence displayed by the mother
when they were mere meetings, young
and tender, and not able to hel p them
selves; and it is but short while since
they were in such helpless state.
Standing behind, and convenient to-,
the stove are about two dozen drawers,
or what printers call a cabinet" used
for holding advertising plates, en-
cravings, etc, which have appeared in
the paper. In the nearest one of these
drawers to the stove, which has been
kept comfortably warm in the severeSt
cold weather, these mice were born.
Having had occasion to open the
ment / saw sG.rne pa,,st IN ppe
corner move, as if 'sometthnS --rtffin
were trying to get out crotohwater
bug, perhaps. The paper was such as
had been thrown on the floor of the
composing room, and was cut up into
very small pieces. | lifted some of it
to investigate. and there in the corner,
in very cozy and warm little nest,
were nine little mice not more than a
day old. They were blind, not yet hay
ing opened their eyes, and they had not
even one little hair on them. Perfectly
wee, small, helpless little mice; so
young they could not yet stand, but
they all cuddled together in their nest
to keep each other warm. while the
good little mother was out toiling for
some food to give them.
Knowing that occasion would necessi-
tate the opening of the drawer many
times, and consequently disturb the
quiet and rest of so young and helpless
family, | decided to remove them to
a place where they would be safe from
disturbance. | procured cigar-box,
filled it with scraps of paper similar to
those in which the young mice were
housed nailed the cover on tightly, cut
hole in the side. and taking the little
nice one at a time, carefully deposited
them in the box, which | then placed
directly under the drawer in which they
were born, and awaited developments
In few moments the mother came
to the drawer, and finding her children
all gone, with sad heart she instituted
a search. She Scampered hither and
thither, seemingly very much dOwncast,
as she supposed her family were all
kidnapped. However, it took her only
a short time to find out their new
house. She did not seem one bit pleased
with the change; for no sooner had she
discovered them than she returned to
the drawer, shook up the old nest, car
ried some fresh scraps from the floor
to it, and then returned to the cigar
box. During this time, nearly all the
men ceased working and watched the
eagerness with which the mother mouse
worked. In less than ten minutes every
one OF the young mice were taken from
the box and carried back to the drawer,
where they were placed in their old
nest, which was newly made up. In
the very same way in which the cat
takes hold of her kittens did the proud
mother mouse take hold of hers-by
the back of the neck.
SO much curiosity existed among the
workmen that, in order to satisfy them
selves in regard to the instinct or rath-
er intelligence, displayed by the mother
mouse, each one went to the drawer to
see for himself, that, seeing, he MIGHT
believe. OF course the old mouse must
have become enraged at such intrusion
into her privacy, for she there and then
resolved to provide some other place
for home for her children, where they
would not be disturbed and where they
might grow up in peace and quietnesS.
Down into the cellar she went with all
speed and did not again appear for at