Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-14
THE RATS WORST FOE.
How the Ferret Attacks and Van.
 Quishes Rodents
A Deadly Duel Between Ono of tho Clumsy "easels and ? Pugnacious Rat-Tho Wonderful Tenacity of the
 Ferreps Hold.

Clearing rats out of several large build tpgs by the use ot ferrets recently started some queer stories of the relations of tho ferret and the rat, which have excited tho derlslon of retired rat-catcher-or rather ratextermipator - says the Philadelphia Press. He Is man who has prosecuted his calling in all the large cities of the country and once had the honor of being employed by the Government to clean out tho United States Treasury building at Washington.
 Fl see," he said, in telling hIs version of ferret vs. rat, ''that some one has discovered thot rat won't fight ferret, and that the moment the ferret gets close to him the rat gives up. That's queer yarn for truth teller. Come along and I'll let you see for yourself. I'm out of the business, but have Q couple of terrets, and Ive an accommo rats" ~ '' ''p'0 ''
 The two went to the ex-rat-catcher's resi- dence, where he brought from the cellar cage similar to those in which rat-extermi- nators carry their ferrets. Looking through the holes in the top of 1t all that could be seen were two pairs of small eyes. brill iant, baleful green. They belonged to two brown ferrets of English stock, and were said by their owner to be of a superior breed. Wrapping the box in piece of paper for oppearance's sake, and punching some holes in it for the animals sake, the ex- professor set out with the reporter for the residence of the friend who had rats in stock. On the way to the theater of experiment the man learned in ferrets and rats descanted on.rhe minutie of his calling.
 "You know a rat doesn't have to be taught that ferret Is his natural enemy, and he has a mortal terror of the little beast If there is ferret Within rod of swarm of rats they'll all clear out and keep going for mile to get to other quarters. You must know, too, thSt while ferret's body looks big his head is the biggest part of him, and wherever his head can so the rest can follow easily.
 "A ferret doesn't often catch rat in a run, for the rat is fast and the ferret very Aow. Sometimes they do catch one, and then it's hard work to get that ferret back. He'll load up on the rats blood and go loaf Ing around. instead of attending to business; stay in there, perhaps, to do some hunting on his owp account I've lost ferrets In stables, where they have wandered on into side runs, caught rat or two, and laid out 2 future for themselves on the premises Sometimes ferret will come to his owner'c whistle, but generally we have to keep a sharp lookout and pick them up as they fol- low the rats out of the hole. Well, here we are."
 The two men entered sporting resort; 1t was in tho Kensington district. The ratter remarked: "Billy, I want to show this gep- tleman an experiment.; let's have the little room.' The little room was an apartment eight feet long and six feet wide, and utter ly without furniture. The window-sjlls were high and broad, and these were used
 The proprietor of the establishment ab- sented himself a minute or two and re- turned with Q large rat in his leather gloved hand and when the door was closed dropped it squeaking on the floor. From 0 box on his lap the ratter, also with his right hand in leather glove, drew ferret and dropped it on the floor. The three watchers of the impending tragedy were sitting with their feet swinging foot and half from the bare, unincumbcred floor.
 When the rat had first been released 1t had scampercd around the wainscoting, looking for escape, but when the ferret was dropped it stopped moment as if in con- sternation and then made for the corner farthest from the enemy. As tho ferret advanced, stealthily, his neck stretched and his nose protruding, tho rat made a break and got farther away. The ferret had some. difficulty in following the rapid motions of the rat on account of the room being light, but he kept tho trailing process
 
 the start the rat was in corner and which ever way he turned the ferret turned, too, to head him off. This process was kept up until not moro than foot separated them, and then the rat deliberately raised on it's hapnohes and prepared to fight. Tho ferret drew nearer until they were six inches apart, and, rearing up as the other had, there was an actual sparring match The ferret made plunge for the rats jugular, but the latter dodged and bit back vicious ly.
 In an instant the two fought terociousIy, the rat making no attempt at escape, but again On the eir launches had another spar ring bout The rat left an opening, and, quick as an expert boxer, the ferret took advantage of it, made 8 rattlesnalze sort of dart with his head, and seized the rat just behind the ear. There was lively wrest- ling match, but the rat could not loose his antagonists hold He tried to bite, but the hold was such that he couldn't aud very soon it was all over with his ratship. To exhibit the tenacity of the ferrets hold the rat man picked up the rat by the hind leg and rat and ferret hung dangling in the air. | The ferret was picked up in like manner, but he would not break his hold.
 A second rat was let loose with tho sec ond ferret and the performance was repeat ed to nicety, with the exception that this rat was trihe moro pugnacious and fought harder for his life.
 A Very Astonished Musician. | One adventure of dead Bot:esinis should be remembered. He was playing one night at Antwerp, and there was full room, and considerable curiosity for his turn to begin. He took his place beside his colossal double bass and commenced his variations. The public were electrified and so was the player. No one who knows the double bass could say of the instrument that it was sQueaky and shrieky. It has its faults, but