Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-11

"A WI
~ whole beef Steak
Before that we did not know we were en-
Pertaining any rats in our cellar. When
we made the discovery we were at loss
to know how to act; but one day there came
to the house poor old woman who lives
mysteriously by offering needles, and
tlread, and pencils, and candy of sizes and
kinds that nobody likes and nobody buys.
At our house she gets a cup of tea and ten
cents, and, to ease her conscience, she
leaves a peppermint stick for the little
ones. The kitchen-girl told her of the loss
of the steak
"Well," said the mysterious old woman,
81 would write a letter to the rats and they
will go away. That is what we used TO do
when / lived at home in Germany"
Fancy the surprise of the kitchen-maidl
She thought the old woman had lost her
mind.
The rats became an intolerable nuisance,
and the news Of what the old woman had
recommended was brought to me. The
children were anxious to have the expert
ment tried.
at can do no harm,'' said, and at once
drew up the following:
To THE Boss RAT: Get out OF our cellar at
once. We hired this house for ourselves, and
home, living here and stealing our provisions.
II you do not heed this warning we VIII keep a
terrier and make 1t very lively for you.
Yours angrily,
THE PEOPLE OF THIS HOUSE.
quite prided myself on this missive
thought II was at once logical in its argu-
ment, firm in tone and very generous, mas
much as the rats could see that we might
have hired terrier first and written the
letter afterward. at first put the letter in
an envelope; but we all agreed afterward
that even if rats could read they might not
know any thing about envelopes and so L
tore the cover off and laid the letter on the
cellar floor with Its written side up.
We then waited to see what effect it
would have. Alas the rats behaved worse
than ever and robbed US of every thing that
suited their tastes. Then the poor old Ger
man woman came again on her rounds, and
the children saw heE and informed her of
the failure
Read the letter to me-" said she.
1t was read to her
'Oh, dear, dear. dearp' she exclaimed
What an impudent letter to send to the
rats! 1t is mercy they haven't attacked
some of the people III the house and bitten
them in their beds. L could not sleep a
been sent to the rats"
She spoke very gravely and with evident
alarm. | inquired very particularly about
her manner afterward and was told that il,
seemed far from mere pretense of being
vexed
Why" she exclaimed. Gratis are kings,
in their way. At least they are in Germany.
They must be treated very politely. Tell
your parents to write another letter at once
and let it be soft and gentle and very re-
spectful. Call them, Dear rats or Dear
friends, and find no fault with what they
do-only be sure 10 recommend some other
place for them to go to- for ii is rule that rats
will never leave home unless they are told
of better place close by, 10 which they can
go. Oh, dear, dear, dear wonder YOU
are not afraid TO stay in the house after
such a letter.
When l reached home l thought, as be-
fore. that there could be no harm in doing
as the Old woman safo: and 1 confess 1 felt
guilty of some stupidity in not having
known, as every one ought 10 know, that pa-
likeness is always better than rudeness.
There Is a wealth of wisdom in the homely
saying: More flies are caught with strip
tnan with vinegar" 1t costs nothing 10 be
kind and courteous. and as we know that
more can be done among men and women by
gentleness than by anger, why might not the
same be true with regard 10 RATS Thus
reflected, and therefore wrote this letter:
DEAR RATS: We have discovered signs OF
your presence IN our cellar. Perhaps you mean
to honor US and pay US a compliment in COM
Ing 10 THIS particular cellar in city where
there are hundred thousand such resorts It
may be news TO you that there lives not far
away French family. much given 10 rich
Grsvies, sWeetmeats, delightful pastries rare
and high-scenteo imported cheese, and various
other Injuries of which we know won 70 be |
fond II you should go there, you would fare |
hat.ar than In nnr oslsar. on eanrsa ITO assls |