Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1886-01-13
AN EXPLOSIVE PILL.
Invented for the Purpose of Exterminst
ing Rats.

About twenty years since was
boarding at hotel in the interior o.
Ohio, and late Une afternoon q very
nicely dressed gentleman walked up to
the clerk while we were lounging about
the office, and asked for room 81
have no money" the stranger said,
land I tell you candidly my hand.
sachel and contents are not worth any.
thing. l intend to deal honestly BY
you, aud if you will credit me for q
nights lodging l will pay you in a few
days" / s.
The clerk eyed the stranger suspi-
ciously for few moments; but after a
short conversation he agreed to take his
chances on the honesty of the genteel
stranger, and gave him the key to one
of his best rooms.
The stranger disappeared for few
moments. but presently returned to the
crowd of men about the office and
pleasantly inquired:
z WHO will make me the loan of the
small sum of so cents? It is very
small amount, It's true, but the lack OF
it is q very serious matter to me just
now"
Here" said I; 81 can let you have
it; but only as gift. for don't caro- il
you never return it.
THANK you, sir; but will surely re-
turn it in few days" After a few
moments the stranger held up the silver
piece in his hand before the crowd and
said:
Gentlemen, this is my stock in trade.
The fact is, have discovered new
way of killing rats, and needed just
this amount of money to start with.
Tomorrow morning you must all come
down in front of Elkin's warehouse,
where / viii explain the method OF
slaughtering the rodents. y"
With this he hurried down the steps
and went down the street. He was
seen to stop in several drug shops, re-
manning in each a very few minutes.
He then visited several warehouses,
and had some understanding with each
one of the porters. About9 p. M. he
returned to the hotel and went to bed.
At the appointed time next morning
we appeared at Elkin's warehouse, and
saw quite q number of people watching
the stranger, who seemed quite in his
element. On the top of large box
were five rat-traps, each of which con-
tanned very large and fierce rat, which
was trying to find some way of escape
from his prison.
When the crowd was large enough
for the purpose of advertising the per-
Torrance the stranger drew near to one
of the traps, and, taking pill-box
from his vest pocket, he produced from
it very small but odorifc pill. He in
troduced this into the trap. The rat
soon went to it and ate it. The stran-
ger then put into the trap small tin
vessel filed with water, which was
quickly swallowed by the rat. In about
two minutes smoke was seen to issue
from the nose and mouth of the animal;
then dull report was heard, and the
rat lay dead on the floor, small hole
in his side showing where the deadly
pill had been forced out.
In like manner he disposed Of all the
occupants of the traps, amid the in
creasing excitement and cheers of the
crowd. He then stated that the secret
could be purchased for the small sum
Of $5.
About three weeks after this Imet the
elegant stranger on the street. He
smiled when he saw me, and, extend
ing his hand, gave me 80 cents.
Every much obliged, indeed. How
much money do you think made out
of this new inventionP Don't know?
Well, about $500, and will harvest
about 500 more before Ileave. By-by."
- Ever since that time / have been try
ing to discover the ingredients of that
pill, upon which the presence of water
produced such explosive effects. Can
any one inform mep-Neao Orleans
Times Democrat