The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-22
RATS ON THE RAMPAGE.
Bill Jones, After Getting Rid of the
Dogs, is Raided by an Army.

Bill Jones, After Getting Rid of the
Dogs, is Raided by an Army.
Correspondence Lathonid Nel1 Era.
Since the dogs of Niger Town killed my
valuable Maltese cat, last week, rats have
been bad at my house.
This species of cat is usually more orna-
mental than useful. but mine was an excel
lent ratter, and for more than three years
kept my place well rid of them.
The night succeeding her death, as I sat
in the kitchen watching my well trap, l
saw an old rusty rat come out of a hole.
He looked continuously around, made cir
cult of the room, closely inspecting every
place where a cat might conceal itself, went
through the cat hole under the kitchen door
and was gone little while, then returned
gaily and carelessly and ran to the hole of
It's ingress and gave a loud squeal. at which
signal large number of rats came out into
the room, where they had a regular jubilee.
1t was plain they had heard of the death
of my cat, and were celebrating the event.
This was the beginning The next night
they appeared in greater numbers and
every succeeding night until my premises
were inflated with rats
They became very troublesome When
the light was extinguishei in my bedroom,
they would come out and take possession.
Of all the racing, romping and squealing,
they had it. They would positively jump
upon my bed and continue their antics
there, and even dive beneath the sheets
have been accused with sleeping with
my mouth wide open. reckon it must be
so. For one night | was awakened from
refreshing slumber by scratching, squirm-
ing, suffocatingS sensation way down. my
throat. 1t was sometime before | realized
that it was caused by a rat that had evil
IDENTIFY mistaken my extended mouth for a
rat hole. The progress of this venturesome
rat was soonly felt and even when he had
reached my stomach he made things very
unpleasant by keeping up continual
Scampering.
1t was uncomfortable In my agony ran
out into the yard. Ny eve fell upon the
beautiful skin of my Maltese cat, that had
been tackled against the side of the house to
dry. bright idea occurred to me,
pulled off handful of fur and swallowed
it. The effect was magical The rat be-
came quiet at once, and remained so until
he was dissolved.
Another night the rats ate up my beauti-
full twins. Along in the night sometime I
heard the children fretting in their crib.
told my wife to get up and see about them
but she didn't do it. Next morning they
were gone.
One night they carried off my Herring
safe, containing money and papers worth
$4,000. No insurance. They DESTROYED
all the provisions ] sent home.
was greatly at loss to know
what to do to get rid of them. tried
various remedies without success. bought
six common house cats. The rats killed
every one of them.
Yesterday the taxidermist sent home the
skin of my beautiful Maltese cat stuffed and
articulated. 1t is as natural as life. 1t is
arranged to creep, walk and spring by
means of clock work.
Last night after supper, when the house
was full of rats, | wound mp the Maltese
and started it out In five minutes don't
think there was rat on the promises.
There was stampede among them in which
many lives were lost Many dashed ont
Their brains against the walls and doors in
their efforts to escape.
am proud otmy cat and very grateful.
BILL JONES'